Colour blindness, or Colour Vision Deficiency (CVD), impacts one in 12 boys and one in 200 girls—about one child in every average co-ed classroom. Despite its prevalence, CVD remains largely unacknowledged, leaving children to struggle unnoticed with missed educational opportunities.
There are systemic failures in recognising and addressing this special educational need and disability (SEND) in schools.
Myths, misunderstandings and educational gaps
CVD is often misunderstood as merely difficulty distinguishing red from green, but its effects extend across the entire colour spectrum. This misconception has significant consequences in classrooms where colour-coded materials and visuals dominate teaching practices.
Routine screening for colour blindness was removed from the Healthy Child Screening Programme in 2009, leaving educators unequipped to identify or support affected students. Teachers often report they’ve never taught a colour blind child.
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