Living with colour vision deficiency (commonly referred to as colourblindness) can be frustrating—not just because of the practical challenges, but because of the misunderstandings that often come with it. From playground jokes to workplace assumptions, many people with colour vision differences face a quiet kind of stigma, often rooted in myths and stereotypes rather than fact.
Contrary to what some believe, being colourblind doesn’t mean seeing the world in black and white. Most people with colour vision deficiency see colours—just differently. The majority have red-green colourblindness, which makes it harder to distinguish between shades like red,
green, brown, or orange. For others, blue and yellow may be tricky. But the key thing to remember is: colourblind people are not “broken”—they simply see the world a little differently.
Challenging Common Stereotypes
One of the most common misconceptions is that colourblind individuals are less capable—especially in fields that use colour coding, such as design, engineering, healthcare, or education. But many people with colour vision deficiency thrive in these roles, often developing sharper pattern recognition and stronger problem-solving skills to compensate.
Another stereotype is that colourblind people can’t appreciate art, fashion, or creativity. In fact, many artists and designers have colour vision differences—and their unique perspective is part of what makes their work so distinctive. There’s also a social stigma—being called out or laughed at for choosing mismatched clothes or misreading a colour-coded chart. For children, this can be particularly damaging,
especially in classroom environments where coloured markers, maps, or visual aids are used without accommodations.
Normalising Colour Vision Differences
One of the most powerful ways to combat stigma is through education and awareness. The more we understand that colour vision deficiency is common (affecting about 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women), the less likely we are to treat it as a flaw or a punchline.
For schools and workplaces, this means creating more inclusive environments: using labels as well as colour in charts and diagrams, offering alternative visual cues, and avoiding assumptions about what someone can or can’t see. For individuals with colourblindness, it can mean embracing your difference rather than hiding it. Speaking up—whether it’s asking for a non-colour-coded version of a task or
explaining how you navigate the world—helps others understand and adjust.
Tools That Empower
Understanding your specific type of colour vision deficiency can be empowering. It allows you to advocate for the right accommodations, find workarounds that suit you, and explain your needs more clearly.
The iRo Lens testing kit is an easy, at-home tool that provides insight into how you see colour. It removes the guesswork and offers a clearer picture (literally and figuratively) of your own colour profile—making it easier to work with, not against, your vision.
By breaking down the stigma and embracing a strengths-based perspective, we can shift the conversation from what people with colour vision deficiency can’t do to all the things they can—often with clarity, creativity, and confidence.
