Virginia’s state park system has installed red-green colorblind viewfinders at all of its locations. Each one is equipped with lenses that expand the visible ranges of the fall foliage displays, allowing more visitors to appreciate the scarlets and golds on oak and maple trees from a distance.
The viewfinders 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.
While people with normal color vision see over one million shades of color, those with red-green CVD are estimated to see about 10% of hues and shades. To them, colors containing red and green can appear dull, washed out and indistinguishable.
The installation of EnChroma-adapted viewfinders at Virginia State Parks began in 2023 with Natural Tunnel State Park, an initiative that was led by Chief Ranger Ethan Howes, who is colorblind. The remaining 42 locations received their viewfinders this year.
The purchase of the additional viewfinders was funded by donations received through the Round-Up for Parks Program, allowing visitors to donate to Virginia State Parks when making a purchase online or at a park. Since 2018, visitors have donated nearly $300,000, which has been invested in improving offerings and activities. Photo courtesy Virginia State Parks
