Implement dark mode for better accessibility

Overview

Add dark mode support to improve accessibility and reduce eye strain for users, particularly in low-light environments.

Benefits

  • Accessibility: Helps users with light sensitivity or visual impairments
  • User comfort: Reduces eye strain during extended browsing sessions
  • Modern UX: Meets user expectations for contemporary web applications
  • Energy efficiency: Can reduce power consumption on OLED displays

Requirements

User Interface

  • Add theme toggle control (light/dark/system preference)
  • Implement dark color palette with appropriate contrast ratios (WCAG AA compliance)
  • Ensure all UI components support both themes (buttons, forms, cards, navigation)
  • Update images/icons to work well in both modes

Technical Implementation

  • Store user preference (localStorage or user settings)
  • Respect system preference (prefers-color-scheme media query)
  • Ensure smooth theme transitions
  • Test color contrast ratios for accessibility compliance

Testing

  • Verify all pages render correctly in dark mode
  • Test with screen readers
  • Validate WCAG 2.1 AA contrast requirements
  • Cross-browser compatibility testing

Acceptance Criteria

  • Users can toggle between light and dark modes
  • Theme preference persists across sessions
  • All text maintains minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio
  • No visual glitches or unreadable content in either mode
  • System preference is respected by default