Color Blindness in the Classroom: Part 1 – Color Blind Friendly Charts

Posted in Being colourblind by Joanna Malefaki

Hi guys!
Of course I had to reblog this post cause I think it is really important to help raise awareness about people who are colourblind (like me). Graphs are hard for us CB people! I actually think that this post is a great resource when teaching presentation skills in general! Why does a graph have to only rely on colour?
I am really happy Tekhologic agreed to help me out. This is the result of our collaboration :). Many thanks T.!

tekhnologic

Back in January, Joanna Malefaki from My ELT Rambles asked me if there was a way to customize charts so that they were more color blind friendly.

She wanted to create charts that weren’t just based on color. She wanted to incorporate lines, dots and patterns. So, Joanna and I ended up collaborating for some time; emailing drafts back and forth and designing some examples.

That collaboration eventually resulted in this post.

Joanna has written an introduction that explains a little bit about color blindness before I continue by discussing the examples and tutorial videos.

Introduction
- A brief introduction to color blindness written by Joanna Malefaki.
Line Charts
- An introduction into changing the line type, style and width. Use dots, dashes and solid lines to make your charts easy to read.
Bar Charts
- An introduction into using different patterns and contrasting colors to make bar charts easier to read.
Pie Charts

View original post 1,722 more words

1Feb2016

Giveaway & Plan with me: The unicorn spread

Posted in Being colourblind, Planning by Joanna Malefaki

CLOSED

Today’s plan with me post is a bit different. I am sharing with you my unicorn spread. There is a story behind this spread and it has to do with my colourblindness. There is also a giveaway. I will be giving away 5 unicorn sticker sheets. Details below.

First though, I want to give you some background information. I am partially colour blind. Being colourblind and seeing black and white is extremely rare. Most people are red/green colourblind and more rarely blue. That means that we cannot see red/green/blue (depending on the type of CB) and all the colours that are shades or made with these colours. So, I, for example, have difficulty with red and that makes it hard for me to see purple, pink, orange, brown etc. 1/12 men and 1/200 females are colourblind. According to colourblind awareness org., there is one student in every classroom.

So, what does that have to do with you or unicorns & planning Joanna?

Well, I ❤ decorative planning, but I never know if what I am using matches. When I get washi tape for example, I have no idea what colour it is. The cashier helps me. I label my pens, so I know what I am using OR I buy pens that have the name of the colour on them! That is something random that I cannot do. Colour coordinating is completely out of the question for me! You are so lucky, you get to appreciate what you make. You know what it looks like. I don’t. Yes, I appreciate it, yes I think it’s pretty, but I don’t really ‘see’ it.

And using colourful pens or stickers is just a small thing I cannot do. Think about your life, your colours.

So, why unicorns?

Many talk about unicorns as if they exist, but they don’t or do they? That’s quite like the way people treat us. We are talked about but no-one (well the majority) doesn’t ‘see’ us, just like unicorns <3. The funny thing is that when I say, ” Oh! I am colour blind” I have heard, as a response, ” Oh! You are like a unicorn” Hence, the unicorn spread idea. I have written so many posts about my struggles, and if you do have time, please check this one out because I am really trying to raise awareness and you will also get a clear idea of what I cannot do, and maybe even help out the next person who asks for help cause they cannot see colours. I am just trying to raise awareness, and I need your help lovelies.

Plan with me <3. Make your unicorn spread ❤ ❤

I covered my pages with two white sheets (yeah I know, I should have stuck them better). I used lace washi tape and pearl stickers. I think I am more of a functional, scrapbooking type of planner. I like white space cause too many colours confuse me. I wrote down my work schedule. My income this week ( I work for a company and teach English one to one). I wrote down some twitter chats I would like to take part in (cause I am a blogger) and I also wrote down some things I want to do on the weekend.

What did I use?

Unicorn stickers from Michelle and Patch.

Lace washi tape from my Crafty Nell (blue butterfly/pink flower)

Lace washi tape from Craft mum 80 (bigger pink washiwith flower)

This unicorn sticker

One of my favourite Etsy store owners, Michelle from Michelle and Patch, was actually designing a unicorn sticker when I told her that I wanted to make a spread and gave her all the details. She designed the unicorn and sent me 4 to giveaway to you guys (How kind? Thanks Michelle ❤ <3). I added one, so we have 5 unicorn sheets. In her listing she has added a small dedication to us cb people.

The unicorn stickers Giveaway

To enter all you need to do is leave a comment below about your favourite colour and what associations you make. Also, leave your twitter name or Instagram name or email, so I can contact you if you win. Help me ‘see’ through your eyes. I will choose the 5 comments I relate to the most. If your comment does not appear, do not worry. 1st time comments need moderation and I am in Greece, so there is a time difference.

This giveaway will be open until Thursday the 4th 12 PM CET. It is open internationally. There will be 5 winners. Each winner will recieve one sticker sheet. Stickers will be sent in regular post. Unfortunately, I cannot be held responsible for postal damage or loss.

Once again, many thanks to Michelle for this giveaway. Please do subscribe to my blog if you like planning and all things beautiful. It does help me out a lot (Look at the sidebar on ways to follow). Connect with me on Pinterest / Twitter/ Instagram. Don’t forget to ‘pin’ this post 🙂. Next week, I will be sharing a printable made for my readers by Gabis Planner prints, so stay tuned. Sharing is caring. Good luck ladies! Remember: comment and some sort of info as to how I can conact you if you win (No addresses!!!!)

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy planning!

❤ ❤ ❤

GIVEAWAY Closed

28Jan2016

She says, “follow the red line”. I say, “I can’t.”

Posted in Being colourblind by Joanna Malefaki

Since February is the month (?) of love, I thought I’d write a few posts and call them February hearts meaning things I love (and support).

I will be using the hashtag #feb ❤ and I encourage you to write posts and share things you ❤ until February the 14th. It can be anything you love, but not a person!

So here is my 1st #Feb ❤

I am partially colourblind and have written several posts about what it is like to be colourblind. This is dear to me. It’s very close to home.

Random fact: the proper term in Daltonism.

I ❤ Colourblind Awareness Org

What is colourblind awareness org?

It is an organisation that tries to make life easier for us colourblind gals and lads. It shares colourblind freindly information and takes action when we are being ignored. According to their Facebook page, it is

A UK-based organisation founded to raise awareness of colour blindness and to support colour blind people and their friends and families

It pays special attention to colour blind students and uses the hashtag #1ineveryclassroom to show that there is approximately one colourblind student in every classroom.

So you are colour blind. Big woop!

Why is being colourblind a big deal?

Well, think about it. You have blind, which is not being able to see, and then you have colourblind which is not being able to see any or some colours. I am not going to go into details about the different types of colourblindness. Nope. I will give you a brief very generalised overview though. Seeing black and white is extremely rare. Most people who are colourblind cannot see red/green, and more rarely blue. This also means that they have difficulty seeing shades of these colours and colours that are formed with red, green or blue. When you have other eye problems (like me) colour blindness is even more severe because you cannot see things that are far (taking me as an example) nor their colour!

Now, I just want you, my readers, to take your eyes off this screen and take a look at yourself, your room. How many colours do you see? How do they affect you? Now, imagine you wanna go grab a banana. Will you choose the green or the yellow one? Guess what? I dunno if it is green or yellow.

Now walk into a hospital. She says, “follow the red line” as opposed to the green one. Can you?

You are at the supermarket, can you choose your tomatoes without touching them, just based on what you see? Their colour?

Can you drive? Do you see the traffic lights? The signs?

What about that lipstick that is called sunny brightness? Do you know what colour it is based on the description on the packaging?

You are a student and your teacher says, ” Turn the red words into nouns”. Can you? She then says, ” Check your essay. Orange means spelling mistake, red means grammar mistake, blue means syntax”.

Are you frustrated yet?No?

You are watching the election results, the weather forecast, you are on the London Tube, can you read the map that is colour coordinated?

You need to put document A in the red folder, document B in the green one, and document C in the blue one. Can you?

You are in front of your closet, do you close your eyes and just choose whatever you can touch or do you choose clothes based on what matches? Their colour? Your mood and the colour?

When you go to the bank, the airport, when you take the bus, can you read the red letters on the black background? Do you see the yellow/red/blue taxi? Can you hail it?

Do you see what colour your pen is?

You think you are pregnant. Is the line pink or blue?

Welcome to my life

This is why I support any organisation or person who tries to raise colourblind awareness. Sure, my disability is not life threatening and I will not die of it, but… I cannot see colours the way you can, and there are so many things that I cannot do by myself because of it. So, the next time you choose to colour coordinate take a minute and think about this post. If you are in any position to make a choice that is not colourblind unfriendly, do do so. Please!

Do check out the colourblind awareness org and learn more about colourblindness and see how you can help. ‘Like’ their Facebook page to show your support.

I would really appreciate ANY type of sharing. I am sorry if this may seem like a rant, but I am SICK and TIRED of being asked, ” What colour do you think this is?” Whenever I say I am colour blind. Would you ask a person in a wheel chair to try to walk towards you? Would you ask a deaf person to hear your song? Why would you ask a colour blind person, “What colour do you think this is?” Help raise colour blind awareness and stop colour blind ignorance! (I heard the term C.B.I during Dale Johnson’s talk).

So, this was my first #feb ❤ post. If you choose to write something similar, please let me know :).

Do subscribe to my blog if you like what I have to say (it does help me out and thanks if you do). Connect with me on Pinterest / Twitter/ Instagram. Don’t forget to ‘pin’ this post 🙂

Thanks for reading.

22Dec2015

Gift guide for your colourblind friend: #Blogmas Day 22

Posted in Being colourblind, Thoughts by Joanna Malefaki

I am partially colourblind which is why I thought I’d write a ‘different’ gift guide! I am going to help you buy something for your colourblind friend. Just cause we are colourblind doesn’t mean we want everything (your pressies) to be black and white. We do like colours, we just need a bit of help with them. Extra info: 1/12 men and 1/200 females are (partially) colourblind.

So, I will give you gift ideas and how you can make them better for you buddies 🙂 Let’s say colourblind friendly.

Safe bets

Books, cds, perfumes, food, drinks, notebooks, dvds….

Tricky but …. giveable

Board games/card games/games

UNO is difficult to play if you are colour blind. If you really want to get this game though, I would suggest writing what colour each card is on the card (that’s what I have done). Same goes for any other board game that is colour coordinated (e.g. monopoly). Thinking of getting a snooker table? Use a permanent marker on the balls that are the same colour. Put polka dots/numbers/squares/ stripes to make them look different because of the design, not the colour :).

Makeup

Makeup companies continue to change the name of the colour of a product into something more catchy. OMG (I am sick of saying how inconsiderate/unfair this is but anyhoo, just a girl… no power). If you decide to buy your friend makeup, put labels with the a colour description on the product (nail polish, lipstick, eyeshadow). If you buy an eye palette, help your friend out by adding an extra sheet where you number the shades and then why not make suggestions about what goes with what? ❤ Bottom line just label everything. Say what colour it is (maybe even add if it cool/warm tone or if it summer-y or winter-y).

Christmas pic 2

Clothes

Get whatever you think your friend will like, but again, add a sticker or label the tag on the piece of clothing you got. I would suggest avoiding too many colours cause it’s hard for us to colour match/coordinate.

Pens/pencils/paint

Again use labels/stickers

How to describe a colour

We (ok I) don’t really care if it’s navy or royal blue. We just need to know that it’s blue and it matches with X, Y, and Z. If you think the tone/hue is important, explain why. Make it easy for your buddy to know how to match/use your present.

Christmas pic 1

Please show your support by sharing this post. Sharing is caring :).

Thanks for reading. This post is very close to home. If you want to read more about the challenges of being colourblind check out my sidebar.

xxx

6Dec2015

#Blogmas day 6: meltdown-ing

Posted in Being colourblind by Joanna Malefaki

Are Capricorns having a bad weekend or is it just me? Yesterday, I had a great day. I did a bit of shopping, pampering and going out. Whilst I was out though I started talking about age and what the meaning of life is. I am turning 40 in January and I started wondering about my life. Don’t get me wrong. I am content. Kinda happy.

Reasons to feel happy

I have accomplished a lot in terms of work, I have studied quite a bit, I make a good living. I am healthy (kinda), I have a great family and friends, who love me, so why do I still want more? Is it cause I am single? Will a man make me happy or will he add to the ” Oh man why did he do that?”. I am old and I do not compromise any more. What about my biological clock? When on earth will it start ticking? I feel no need to have a kid (and I know some people are going to start rolling their eyes- sowie guys but no tick tock here). I actually blame the latter on the fact that I am a teacher and I am around kids all day long. So over cocktails last night I had my first melt down ( for dramatic purposes only I am using the word meltdown).

paris trees

Meltdown numero duo

So, today I woke up and felt like a happy planner. I started planning, used my stickers and then started feeling sorry for myself. Again. I am colourblind and while I was decorating my planner I had no idea whatsoever about the colours I was using. I always have to label stuff to know how to coordinate cause otherwise everything looks like a hot mess. So, I planned next week but then I started thinking about my day at the shops yesterday and how I was at the M.A.C counter looking at all the lipsticks without knowing what anything was. Afterwards I started thinking about how ALL cosmetic companies give their makeup random names and nothing has the name of the actual colour on it. Grrrrrrr I wanna be able to tell the difference between colours!!

My planner today

I have a headache cause of the drinks last night and well, I have been playing the song Same old love by Selena Gomez on repeat.

So, there you have it. Not having a good day today. Seriously gonna go check out my star sign now, have some lunch and feel a bit more sorry for myself. I will be fine tomorrow cause shit happens and then you get over it. I am feeling a bit better though. Thanks guys ❤

If you are brave and feel like following me on social media (@mypinkrambles on Twitter and Instagram) go for it. If you are feeling extra-adventurous, follow my blog (seeing someone new subscriber puts a smile on my face, so thanks).

I need a coffee

See ya tomorrow and sorry for the mini rant/ ramble.

Joanna

5Oct2015

Find a hobby already!

Posted in Being colourblind, Thoughts, Uncategorized by Joanna Malefaki

So, there is a fine line between being a teacher and being a normal person. Now, if you are not a teacher, you will not get this, but if you are, you will. I don’t make sense. I know. So, I will make it simple. When you are a teacher, it’s hard to switch off. So, you are a teacher 24/7. The same goes for anyone who loves their job and takes it home with them.

For the past few months, I had been complaining, even whining about how I work all day, I had no free time, yada, yada, yada. It was my choice. I love my job, but yet I complain. It’s a thing I do. I decided to find time and do something I liked or at least try something new. My friends suggested taking up painting. And we did. Apart from the fact that my teacher has her studio right opposite The Body shop and Sephora (how cool is that?) which allowed me to do my 2nd favourite thing, shop, I also found out that I really liked painting/drawing. Seriously. Time flew. I spent 90 mins drawing and they were the most ‘into’ something I have been for a while.

I go to class feeling a bit idle, lazy. Then I start drawing and it’s fantastic!! Of course, I am not going to turn into a painter any time soon, but I am doing something I like and learning at the same time. My conclusion?If you find work has taken over, get a hobby. I can promise you this, when I am painting, I am not thinking about work.

Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles Picture taken from here

The end product of my hobby: My 1st drawing

I adapted Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles (picture above). Only mine is a ‘girlie’ teacher room. That’s what my painting teacher said when she saw what I had changed. Instead of drawing a glass, a jug and a brush on the table (see original), I drew a book and a pair of glasses (instinctively) which of course goes back to the first paragraph of this post.

My drawing

I love painting and cannot wait to start my painting lessons this year. This hobby has changed the way I view things. It has not only helped me to avoid burnout, but I also learnt something very important.

Even if someone tells you that you can’t do something, but you feel you can, do it.

I have no idea what the colours. I am partially colourblind. I do not know how well my colours match. I used what I learnt about colours, my teacher helped me, and I made something, even though I thought I couldn’t! Yes, there are loads of imperfections, and of course it could be ten times better but.. who cares? I did it 😀 Here is my first painting, and as I am colour blind, this is ‘my mountain’ and I kinda climbed it! Yay!

My perfect imperfection

So, two birds with one stone. I have a hobby, something that makes me forget about work, and I am pushing myself. Therefore lovelies, if you think work has taken over your life, find something you like, find time to do it, and do it!

Hope you liked this post. Don’t forget to follow my blog.

Talk soon

This is an adapted version of a post that appeared in my educational blog (myeltrambles).

29Sep2015

Feeling like a Unicorn (a day in the life of a colour blind gal)

Posted in Being colourblind, Thoughts by Joanna Malefaki

Today, I am going to revisit the topic of colourblindness. I have already talked about people’s reactions to my saying that I am colourblind and now I will give you a glimpse of my life.

According to the colourblindawareness.org 1 out of 12 males and 1 out of 200 females are colour blind. They also use the hashtag #1ineveryclassroom that means that there is probably one colourblind student in every class.

Being colour blind does not mean you cannot see colours (seeing black and white is really rare), it just means you may not be able to see some colours and shades. I am not going to go into medical details though because

I am not a doctor and
that’s not what this post is about.

I am partially colour blind and today, I will try to give you a glimpse of what my life is like. So, how big a deal is it to not be able to see colours? Let’s see.

Walk in my red (?) pumps, will ya?

My life

Shopping

Clothes: As a 39-year-old gal, shopping is challenge. I am unable to shop 90% of the time!! I have no idea what colour the clothes I buy are. I always ask a sales assistant for help or I choose to shop from stores that have the colour written on the tag. If none of these are an option, then I end up buying something that turns out to be a random colour, I then I go back to the store and return it (story of my life)

Makeup is an ordeal. I luv makeup, but I can’t really buy it. Most companies choose to name their products not based on what colour they are but based on a catchy title. What do I mean? Cosmetics companies choose to give weird names to their eye shadows, nail varnish and lip sticks. Why does a pink lip stick need to be called “A day in the park” or “love me do” (names chosen randomly) and not just say: Pink/ light pink/ dark pink/ fuchsia etc.? You may ask, ”Yes, but you do not see it’s pink, so what you going on about woman?” Well, yeah, I don’t see it’s pink, but I know what pink goes with!! The same goes for nail varnish. Once again, I ask for help, or buy egg yellow eye shadows and end up returning them.

Food: It is very difficult to go grocery shopping cause I cannot distinguish if the fruit or vegetable is too ripe. I have bought loads of green bananas. I never know if potatoes have turned poisonous or not (you are not supposed to eat them when they are green. It’s actually a miracle I haven’t had potato… poisoning yet).

Reading Magazines

Loads of magazines, newspapers and even books choose to write a text on a background that clashes, making it extremely or almost impossible for me to read. Black on red is the worst!

Going to the bank

You know the electronic display that shows priority in banks? I cannot read that. I take a ticket, wait in a line, and then ask a person to help me and tell me what number is next. Do you know how many times I missed my turn back in the days when I felt embarrassed to ask for help?

Driving

I don’t drive. I think I will have a problem with road signs more than actual traffic lights. I have never tried to learn to drive. Never will (I don’t think this is cause I am colour blind. I think this one is more cause I am too scared cause of general eye sight problems).

Using websites

I often have trouble using websites because when I want to change colour or choose something based on the colour I cannot. Why? Well, if you look at Word, for example, and you want to change font colour when you press the colour boxes, they say what colour it is (as in the name of the colour). On many websites though you see lots of coloured boxes, but when you put your pointer on them, the name of the colour does not pop up (like in Word). So, I am in the dark. I also have difficulty reading the Skype phone number on various pages because it is in a very light colour on a light coloured background.

Instructions

Following any type of instructions that is based on colours is hard. Take out the lilac book, follow the green line, open the pink door (which is the ladies’ room). Then there’s the tube. I never travel on the London tube alone. So many colours mixed up on a little map.

Pie charts/tables and graphs

They are very difficult to read because people use similar colours when they make them. I had difficulty watching the Greek election results the other day cause the ‘election’ map had green and blue all over. I have difficulty seeing the difference.

For 39 years I have lived without ‘seeing’ colours. I manage fine. Does it make my life difficult? Yes. Impossible? No. I ask people for help and they help. I often get upset though. Being colour blind does not hold me back. I would like it if people/companies/organisations were a bit more considerate though. Please help us with colours. If you are interested in reading about people’s typical reactions, press here.

Thanks so much for reading. If you are in he position to make any changes and make our lives a bit easier, please do so. I am trying to raise awareness. Please share, tweet or pin if you found this post interesting. My blog is the only place I can voice my thoughts. this is an adapted version of a post that originally appeared on my edu blog (www.myeltrambles.com).Do follow my blog if you want to read more from me. Connect with me on Pinterest/ Twitter/ Instagram.Maybe even give my Facebook page some TLC? Comments section is all yours. Thanks for reading.

Why does my title have the term unicorn in it? A lovely girl on twitter (Becca) said that I am like a unicorn cause colour blindness in rare….. that’s a magical way to put it ❤

Joanna