Luminance contrast testing is a crucial component in designing safe, accessible environments — but it’s often overlooked. This testing ensures there is sufficient visual contrast between surfaces, enabling people with vision impairments to navigate spaces confidently and safely.
For architects, builders, developers, designers, and access consultants, understanding and applying luminance contrast is not just a compliance requirement — it’s a vital part of creating inclusive spaces that prioritise dignity, usability, and safety for everyone. Investing in proper contrast testing supports universal access and demonstrates a genuine commitment to inclusive design.
Luminance contrast refers to the measurable difference in the amount of light reflected from one surface compared to another. It plays a critical role in how easily a person — particularly someone with low vision — can distinguish between adjacent surfaces or elements in the built environment. High luminance contrast helps individuals identify changes in level, such as steps, ramps, kerbs, and edges, and locate essential features like doorways, signage, and handrails.
Importantly, luminance contrast is not about colour alone. It’s about how light and dark two surfaces appear in relation to each other. Its significance goes well beyond aesthetics. It is a key safety feature that supports universal access and reduces the risk of trips, slips, and falls. From people with visual impairments to older adults and even those with full vision in unfamiliar or low-light settings, everyone benefits from environments designed with effective luminance contrast in mind.
At LS Access, we offer both product testing and on-site testing services to support architects, builders, developers, and designers in creating environments that are safe, accessible, and inclusive for all users. Our testing ensures compliance with relevant accessibility standards and helps identify areas where improvements can enhance usability and safety.
We use a spectrophotometer equipped with diffuse illumination and normal viewing geometry, utilising CIE Standard Illuminant D65, in full accordance with Appendix E of AS/NZS 1428.4.1:2009. This precise methodology allows us to accurately measure luminance contrast between surfaces, ensuring your materials and built environments meet the required contrast thresholds for accessibility.
Need help with luminance contrast testing? Fill out the form below and connect with our access consultant to have a chat!
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