Through the Spyglass: Improving Accessibility and Consistency in Helm CONNECT
Welcome to Through the Spyglass! In this series, we preview some of the cutting-edge features coming to Helm CONNECT and invite you to share your thoughts with us. In this edition, we’ll examine some visual changes and UI improvements that we’re working on for later this year.
*Development is always a work in progress. We can’t guarantee that the ideas presented in this series will be included in future updates as priorities and resources are always subject to change.
“The only constant in life is change.”
— Heraclitus of Ephesus (~500 BC)
At Helm, we’re continually refining Helm CONNECT to ensure it meets modern usability standards while supporting the operational realities of maritime crews.
As part of that ongoing work, we’ve been reviewing our platform against WCAG 2.2 accessibility guidelines, with a focus on improving contrast, clarity, and overall interface consistency.
These updates are about more than aesthetics. Clearer text, stronger contrast, and more consistent visual cues help reduce friction in high-demand environments, where clarity and speed matter.
What We’re Updating
Our first round of improvements focuses on the main menu panel and related UI elements.
Contrast Improvements
We conducted a detailed review of contrast ratios across text, buttons, and navigation components. In some cases, contrast levels were below AA standards. We’re adjusting those values to ensure they meet — and in many cases exceed — WCAG AA compliance.
These refinements improve readability for users with visual impairments and enhance usability across the board.
The image shows the lighter Personnel Payroll menu item before and after the contrast enhancement.
Menu Panel & Module Updates
You’ll also notice updates to:
Module icons and colors (Maintenance, Compliance, Logistics, Personnel), aligning them more closely with Helm’s broader brand system
Text and background states within the menu panel
Hover and selected states for clearer interaction feedback
The slightly deeper Midnight Blue of the main panel helps module colors stand out more clearly while supporting improved contrast ratios.
Examples of the new module colors
Recording of menu panel clickthrough. Disclaimer: Sub menu icons may differ from current builds.
An Iterative Approach
Some accessibility improvements are straightforward to implement, while others require more structural changes. We’re starting with updates that provide immediate benefit and will continue to build on this foundation over time.
These changes may be subtle, but they reflect our commitment to maintaining a platform that is accessible, consistent, and aligned with evolving standards.
Helm CONNECT is going to continue to grow in ways that support both compliance and everyday usability, and we hope you enjoy the coming changes. In fact, we’d love it if you let us know what you think!