Thessaloniki becomes Greece's first city to implement the ColorADD code system

Thessaloniki is implementing the ColorADD code system to enable those whose ability to see colour or differences in colour is decreased, to have a better experience when visiting the second capital of Greece.

The system will be initially used to make the Thessaloniki Tourism Organisation's information material available to colourblind people. This will include city maps, digital tools and the Thessaloniki Travel website.

“Thessaloniki will be the first city in Greece to ‘open’ the world of information to people with colour blindness in collaboration with the Laboratory of Adapted Physical Activity, Developmental and Physical Disabilities of the Athens University and Portugal’s ColorADD organisation,” the President of the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization (TTO) Voula Patoulidou said.

It is estimated that 350 million people around the world are colourblind.

Colour blindness — or more accurately, poor or deficient colour vision — is an inability to see the difference between certain colours.

Most people with colour blindness are able to see things as clearly as other people but they are unable to fully ‘see’ red, green or blue light. There are different types of colour blindness and there are extremely rare cases where people are unable to see any colour at all.

The ColorADD system was created in 2010 by graphic designer and Minho University professor Miguel Neiva, and it is now present in over 90 countries, in different sectors of activity.

The code is based on five base signs: two triangles (one angled upwards and the other angled downwards), one diagonal line, one solid square box and one empty square box representing black, white and the primary colours: red (magenta), blue (cyan), and yellow. Colours derived from other colours have the symbols of the combined colours, creating derivative colours (orange, green, purple and brown) and dark or white tones. Metalised colours like silver or gold are shown with a left parenthesis on the symbols.

“We are prepared to create a unique experience [for colorblind people] in this city of Greece [Thessaloniki] and offer solutions that will promote inclusion and better accessibility for all,” Neiva added.

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