Bow Tie Kreative Writing System
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Rules / accessibility

ACC-008 Hard constraint layer: signal

Do not encode meaning by color alone

IF color distinguishes status, category, instruction, or error, THEN add text, shape, icon, pattern, or position with an accessible label ELSE retain.

Why the rule exists

Readers may not perceive or distinguish the color cue.

Condition

The rule fires when this evaluates true. Paths marked below must be present in the fact base; the engine reports the rest rather than guessing them.

  • content.meaning_by_color_only eq true

Facts this rule reads

PathSource
content.meaning_by_color_only You supply it

Then

  1. add — target content.redundant_cue

Else

  1. retain — target current_text, No triggering condition is present.

LAKA

Smallest sufficient intervention
Yes
Primary axes

Sources

  • Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 — W3C link
    Testable accessibility requirements for web content.
The raw rule record

Verbatim from 17-accessibility-rules.json. Also available at /v1/rules/ACC-008.

{
  "id": "ACC-008",
  "name": "Do not encode meaning by color alone",
  "domain": "accessibility",
  "layer": "signal",
  "strength": "hard_constraint",
  "human_logic": "IF color distinguishes status, category, instruction, or error, THEN add text, shape, icon, pattern, or position with an accessible label ELSE retain.",
  "when": {
    "path": "content.meaning_by_color_only",
    "operator": "eq",
    "value": true
  },
  "then": [
    {
      "action": "add",
      "target": "content.redundant_cue",
      "options": [
        "text",
        "shape",
        "icon",
        "pattern",
        "position"
      ],
      "require": "accessible_label"
    }
  ],
  "else": [
    {
      "action": "retain",
      "target": "current_text",
      "reason": "No triggering condition is present."
    }
  ],
  "unless": [],
  "because": "Readers may not perceive or distinguish the color cue.",
  "diagnostics": [],
  "examples": {},
  "source_ids": [
    "WEB-007"
  ],
  "laka": {
    "smallest_sufficient_intervention": true,
    "primary_axes": [
      "scope",
      "depth",
      "magnitude",
      "reversibility"
    ]
  }
}

Other accessibility rules

  1. ACC-001 Use clear words for the actual audience IF a simpler word is equally accurate, respectful, and familiar, THEN use it ELSE retain the necessary precise term with support. Context default
  2. ACC-002 Simple tense and voice when possible IF present active construction expresses the real time and actor, THEN prefer it ELSE use the tense and voice accuracy requires. Context default
  3. ACC-003 No nested double negatives IF a double negative or negative inside another condition obscures polarity, THEN rewrite with one explicit positive or negative operation ELSE retain a necessary legal distinction with explanation. Hard constraint
  4. ACC-004 Separate each instruction IF multiple actions appear in one block and can be completed separately, THEN make each a separate step ELSE retain a single compound action. Context default
  5. ACC-005 Explain implied meaning when consequential IF humor, irony, metaphor, convention, or context carries a consequential instruction or conclusion, THEN state the literal meaning too ELSE retain. Hard constraint
  6. ACC-006 Headings and labels are unique and descriptive IF repeated or vague headings prevent out-of-context identification, THEN rename them by topic or task ELSE retain. Hard constraint
  7. ACC-007 Text alternatives convey function or information IF meaningful non-text content appears, THEN provide a concise equivalent of its purpose and relevant information; IF decorative, mark it ignorable ELSE block release. Hard constraint
  8. ACC-009 Avoid directional text without structural anchor IF instructions say above, below, left, right, or color-only location and layout can reflow, THEN name the control, section, or landmark ELSE retain stable spatial instruction. Hard constraint