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Re: Resize text buttons

for

From: Jared Smith
Date: Jan 9, 2009 3:30PM


On Fri, Jan 9, 2009 at 3:15 PM, Patrick H. Lauke wrote:
> Cliff Tyllick wrote:
>> I understand that, Randy, but my point is that people with low vision issues might not be able to see the BBC's message that they can "Change font size and colours on this site."
>
> How do they see the windows login, the start menu or the icon for IE on
> the desktop, the address bar or bookmark to get to the BBC site in the
> first place?

I *think* the point Patrick is making is that if the user absolutely
requires large text, they are going to have it regardless of whether
you provide a text resize button/widget/whatever. So, that eliminates
this segment of the population from benefiting from it. That pretty
much leaves a very small portion of your audience (those with slightly
low vision that don't already have enlarged fonts or screens) that
*might* benefit from this. Additionally, those that are blind, deaf,
have motor disabilities, have cognitive disabilities, have no
disabilities at all, etc. have a very strong likelihood of, at a
minimum getting no benefit from, and at most being annoyed, confused,
burdened, or otherwise disadvantaged, by your text resize widget.

Jared Smith
WebAIM