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Re: hard returns vs before/after spacing style

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From: jeffgutsell@fuse.net
Date: Apr 5, 2023 12:18PM

Custom styles also can save authors time by automatically creating page breaks that do not appear in the middle of paragraphs or table rows. Styles can ensure that headings do not get orphaned at the bottom of pages. I think the default paragraph line height is too dense for body text on 8.5x11 pages It is a bit of an accessibility improvement to bump up the line height.

Jeff Gutsell


-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum < <EMAIL REMOVED> > On Behalf Of Guy Hickling
Sent: Wednesday, April 5, 2023 1:44 PM
To: webaim-forum < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] hard returns vs before/after spacing style

> I have a client who only wants default paragraph style and hard returns.

It's probably just a case that your client has never thought about amending the built-in paragraph styles, or doesn't know how to, and they certainly won't be aware of the "blank blank" syndrome in screen readers. If you explain that to them, and show them how to amend the MS styles, and the advantages to themselves in more consistency, hopefully they'll change.
A11y is really all about educating clients to do the right thing!