Section Two: Accessible web text - sizing up the issues
In part 2, I explore the issues surrounding text size; I will try to explain what all the fuss is about; and suggest some useful approaches you can adopt to ensure the text on your web pages will be readable to your visitors.
'The bigger the better. You can use any typeface on your screen if you use it large enough.' writes Daniel Will-Harris, in The best faces for the screen. '14-point fonts were found to be more legible, promote faster reading, and were preferred to the 12-point fonts.', concludes Michael Bernard, Corrina Liao, & Melissa Mills in their research aimed at determining the best online font for older adults.
Yes, size is important
The above comments indicate that size is a significant factor when it comes to the 'readability' of text on the web. Indeed in a related piece of research, So, What Size and Type of Font Should I Use on My Website? Michael Bernard & Melissa Mills conclude that using a larger font has a positive effect on reading speed.
So, is it your duty as a designer to 'hard-wire-in' text that is bigger than the default? Is it 'common sense' to assert that most visually impaired people prefer to bump-up the size of the text on their screens - so you might as well give them big text to start with?
And, if big text will mean visitors to our sites with 'normal' vision will be able to read the content quicker - does that just add more fuel to the argument; should you just set the text bigger in the first place?
Surely it cannot be that simple? Consider the following quote from The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) Web site:
"Some people prefer large text, while others can only read smaller text. Most people need a highly contrasting colour scheme, while others can only read yellow text on a black background. To cater for everyone, Web sites should be flexible in design, enabling the individual to adjust the text and colour settings to suit their needs." (RNIB )
Hmm, the RNIB don't seem to agree with our earlier hypothesis; despite the best of intentions - setting big text may actually exclude some people.
It turns out that there are people who would find small text more accessible. Small text is not good, big text is not good; seems like we are running out of options. What should we be doing if we want to ensure that the text on our pages is accessible to the widest possible audience?
Well there is an answer; the RNIB 'hit the nail on the head' when they say that designing for flexibility is the key. It is not about creating big text, or small text, it's about creating 'any size' text', i.e. its about ensuring that the user can set the text to whatever size they need.
In other words accessible web design in relation to text is about getting out of the way of the user's ability to set their own browser preferences.
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Index | Next: How do we get out of the way of the user?