Summary

The author advocates for a browser dark mode option on Medium to enhance accessibility for users with visual impairments and to align with other writing applications that offer this feature.

Abstract

The article titled "Medium Needs a Browser Dark Mode" argues that Medium's current black-on-white color scheme, while classic and elegant, can be harsh on the eyes, particularly for individuals with visual disabilities such as light sensitivity. The author, who has a traumatic brain injury affecting vision, suggests that a profile option for dark mode would be beneficial, as the bright white space can cause eye fatigue and deter reading and writing. Although Medium's mobile app offers a dark mode, the author prefers to keep Medium use separate from their phone to avoid distraction. Writing on a computer with dark mode available in other applications like LibreOffice, Scrivener, and Microsoft Word, the author finds it inconvenient that Medium lacks this feature. Currently, a browser extension is used to achieve dark mode on Medium, but it disrupts the platform's formatting. The author calls for Medium to consider adding more accessibility options, including a dark mode, to accommodate different user needs and to become a more inclusive platform for both readers and writers.

Opinions

The author believes Medium's current color scheme is not suitable for all users, especially those with visual impairments.
The brightness of Medium's interface exacerbates the author's eye fatigue and light sensitivity, which are symptoms of their traumatic brain injury.
The author uses Medium primarily on a computer rather than a phone for writing and reading articles, highlighting the need for a dark mode on the web version.
Current solutions like browser extensions for dark mode are inadequate as they interfere with Medium's article formatting and navigation.
The author emphasizes that adding a dark mode option would likely increase their engagement with the platform, both in reading and writing content.
There is a call to action for Medium to expand its accessibility features, with a direct link provided for users to request these improvements.
The author acknowledges that while dark mode is essential for some, it may not be suitable for everyone, reinforcing the need for it to be an optional feature rather than a default setting.

Medium Needs a Browser Dark Mode

Because it’s not like we only get eye fatigue on our phones

Medium prides itself on its minimalistic black-on-white color scheme. The design is distinctive, classic, and elegant. It provides high contrast and refreshing white space. It lets you focus on the reading in front of you.

It’s also murder on my eyes.

As I’ve mentioned, I have a traumatic brain injury. I have several visual issues as a result, including eye fatigue, motion sensitivity, and light sensitivity.

In particular, light sensitivity means I have trouble with intense sunlight, overhead lights, and yes, bright backlit screens. Even setting my backlight to the lowest setting, all that white space is hard on my eyes. It tires me out and makes me want to stop reading sooner.

I know other users love this color scheme — indeed, for some other visual disabilities, my preferred dark mode is absolutely inaccessible.

Which is why I’d love there to be a profile option to switch all of Medium to dark mode.

But, you might say, you could just read Medium in the app on your phone!

Of course I could! But I keep Medium off my phone. I’m not looking to spend all day falling down a reading-every-article hole because my phone is close at hand.

And, as a writer, I’m not gonna compose my articles in my tiny little smartphone on dark mode. I write them on my computer, which comes with great writing features like:

a real actual keyboard
a screen that’s bigger than my hand
visible text more than 2 mm tall that is easily increased or decreased in height with a keyboard shortcut
and, of course: DARK MODE

My preferred writing apps (LibreOffice, Scrivener, and Microsoft Word) all have dark modes, so that’s not an issue.

But when I need to put something in Medium, to format the article and see it as it will be published(other than the color of the background and text), there’s just no easy option.

I am currently using one of the settings in the Dark Mode browser extension in Mozilla Firefox. It breaks Medium’s formatting whenever I try to use it to navigate and read other articles, but it does the job while I’m writing.

I want all of Medium to be able to look like this with a user setting. I’d read and write more if it did. Image by the author.

If Medium as a platform is serious about being a place for readers, how about cultivating a few more accessibility options? The Accessibility tag, populated by other writers, is full of good suggestions.

What features would make Medium more accessible to you? Tell me about it in the comments. Maybe we can start a little firestorm of user requests for accessibility features based on those comments!

Here’s a direct link to Medium’s request form if you would like to comment on the usefulness of a browser dark mode option, or any other accessibility features that will benefit readers and writers.

Thanks for reading. Please follow, comment, and share! Support me and get access to all the articles on here by subscribing to Medium using my referral link:

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Also, here’s a useful article on the perils of dark mode in the Medium app. Dark mode isn’t great for everyone. But it’s an important accessibility option.