Virginia State Parks has become the first park system in the nation to install EnChroma-adapted viewfinders for colorblind guests at each of its 43 locations. These viewfinders, produced by SeeCoast Manufacturing, are equipped with special lenses from EnChroma designed to help those with red-green color vision deficiency (CVD) experience an expanded range of visible color.
Individuals with normal color vision can see over one million shades, while those with red-green CVD see only about 10% of these hues. This condition causes colors containing red and green to appear “dull, washed out, and often indistinguishable.”
“This initiative underscores Virginia’s commitment to enhancing outdoor experiences for all visitors and sets a new standard for state parks nationwide,” Matt Wells, director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, said. “We’re proud to play a role in opening up a world of vibrant color for colorblind individuals to experience nature like never before.”
According to a press release, the project began in 2023 with the installation of the first EnChroma-adapted viewfinder at Natural Tunnel State Park. This effort was led by Chief Ranger Ethan Howes, who is colorblind himself. By 2024, the remaining 42 locations in Virginia State Parks had received their viewfinders.
The funding for this initiative was sourced through the Round-Up for Parks Program, which allows visitors to donate to Virginia State Parks during online purchases or at the parks themselves. Since 2018, nearly $300,000 has been donated by visitors.
“Seeing the world in vibrant color is a gift many of us take for granted,” Virginia State Parks Director Dr. Melissa Baker explained “The EnChroma viewfinders help us create a one-of-a-kind experience for our red-green colorblind visitors and allow them to better enjoy the breathtaking beauty of our state parks.”
To mark the launch of this color accessibility initiative, six individuals with red-green colorblindness visited Pocahontas State Park on July 26. They included a carpenter, policy analyst, medical dispatcher, personal trainer, permit specialist, and college student.
Erik Ritchie, CEO of EnChroma, praised the initiative, stating, “Virginia gives visitors unrivaled access to beautiful forests, breathtaking mountain views, stunning rivers, and the renowned colorful leaves in fall. Virginia is truly for lovers of the outdoors but it’s also for lovers of color too. That’s why we applaud Virginia State Parks for working with EnChroma to make its colorful beauty more accessible to those who are red-green colorblind.”
Featured image by Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation