diff --git a/pcbnew/hotkeys.cpp b/pcbnew/hotkeys.cpp
index e503ef6f7e..0ee3290907 100644
--- a/pcbnew/hotkeys.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/hotkeys.cpp
@@ -78,7 +78,8 @@ static EDA_HOTKEY HkLock_Unlock_Footprint( wxT( "Lock/Unlock Footprint" ),
 static EDA_HOTKEY HkDelete( wxT( "Delete Track or Footprint" ), HK_DELETE, WXK_DELETE );
 static EDA_HOTKEY HkResetLocalCoord( wxT( "Reset Local Coordinates" ),
                                      HK_RESET_LOCAL_COORD, ' ' );
-
+static EDA_HOTKEY HkSwitchHighContrastMode( wxT("Switch Highcontrast mode"), 
+					    HK_SWITCH_HIGHCONTRAST_MODE,'H');
 /* Fit on Screen */
 #if !defined( __WXMAC__ )
 static EDA_HOTKEY HkZoomAuto( wxT( "Zoom Auto" ), HK_ZOOM_AUTO, WXK_HOME );
@@ -224,6 +225,7 @@ EDA_HOTKEY* board_edit_Hotkey_List[] =
     &HkRecordMacros4,          &HkCallMacros4,    &HkRecordMacros5,          &HkCallMacros5,
     &HkRecordMacros6,          &HkCallMacros6,    &HkRecordMacros7,          &HkCallMacros7,
     &HkRecordMacros8,          &HkCallMacros8,    &HkRecordMacros9,          &HkCallMacros9,
+    &HkSwitchHighContrastMode,
     NULL
 };
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/hotkeys.h b/pcbnew/hotkeys.h
index c315f119ff..262b4997e7 100644
--- a/pcbnew/hotkeys.h
+++ b/pcbnew/hotkeys.h
@@ -76,7 +76,8 @@ enum hotkey_id_commnand {
     HK_RECORD_MACROS_8,
     HK_CALL_MACROS_8,
     HK_RECORD_MACROS_9,
-    HK_CALL_MACROS_9
+    HK_CALL_MACROS_9,
+    HK_SWITCH_HIGHCONTRAST_MODE,
 };
 
 // Full list of hotkey descriptors for board editor and footprint editor
diff --git a/pcbnew/hotkeys_board_editor.cpp b/pcbnew/hotkeys_board_editor.cpp
index ae82aac6c5..1ce0b89136 100644
--- a/pcbnew/hotkeys_board_editor.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/hotkeys_board_editor.cpp
@@ -625,6 +625,10 @@ void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::OnHotKey( wxDC* aDC, int aHotkeyCode, const wxPoint& aPosit
     case HK_FLIP_FOOTPRINT:     // move to other side
         OnHotkeyRotateItem( HK_FLIP_FOOTPRINT );
         break;
+    case HK_SWITCH_HIGHCONTRAST_MODE: // switch to high contrast mode and refresh the canvas
+        DisplayOpt.ContrastModeDisplay = !DisplayOpt.ContrastModeDisplay;
+        m_canvas->Refresh();
+	break;
     }
 
     if( evt_type != 0 )