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Thread: Font size
Number of posts in this thread: 6 (In chronological order)
From: Krack, Joseph
Date: Tue, May 03 2016 9:47AM
Subject: Font size
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I just got hired at a large department in the state of California and will begin addressing how they produce their forms. Their forms and documents are in pretty bad shape in regards to accessibility.
One of the items I will address is font size. The rules they are currently use come from another even larger state agency and it allows font sizes from 6 to 12 on forms. Now obviously 6 is too small for most people to read (a large quantity of forms are still sent to the printer and filled in with pen and pencil by clients), but feel that I need some sort of 'official' documentation in order to convince them to stop using such small fonts. (something stronger than just common sense :) )
I don't believe WCAG or 508 says anything about font size (except in closed functionality systems), is there anything/any standard out there that addresses this? Any documentation I can use as ammunition.
Thanks
Joe Krack
From: Brian Lovely
Date: Tue, May 03 2016 10:02AM
Subject: Re: Font size
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Can the text be resized easily and without breaking the layout to the point of non-functionality?
Brian Lovely
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> On May 3, 2016, at 11:47 AM, Krack, Joseph@DSS < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
>
> I just got hired at a large department in the state of California and will begin addressing how they produce their forms. Their forms and documents are in pretty bad shape in regards to accessibility.
>
> One of the items I will address is font size. The rules they are currently use come from another even larger state agency and it allows font sizes from 6 to 12 on forms. Now obviously 6 is too small for most people to read (a large quantity of forms are still sent to the printer and filled in with pen and pencil by clients), but feel that I need some sort of 'official' documentation in order to convince them to stop using such small fonts. (something stronger than just common sense :) )
>
> I don't believe WCAG or 508 says anything about font size (except in closed functionality systems), is there anything/any standard out there that addresses this? Any documentation I can use as ammunition.
>
> Thanks
>
> Joe Krack
>
> > > >
From: Moore,Michael (Accessibility) (HHSC)
Date: Tue, May 03 2016 10:03AM
Subject: Re: Font size
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Since many of these are printed forms, if you agency's programs are funded or partially funded through the feds then you must comply with section 504 which requires alternative formats including large print and braille.
There is some good information on the AFB website. http://www.afb.org/info/reading-and-writing/making-print-more-readable/35
Mike Moore
Accessibility Coordinator
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Civil Rights Office
(512) 438-3431 (Office)
From: Chaals McCathie Nevile
Date: Tue, May 03 2016 11:39AM
Subject: Re: Font size
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The US Access Board addresses font sizes for pharmaceutical labelling:
https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/health-care/about-prescription-drug-container-labels/u-s-pharmacopeial-convention
- see the second-last section.
The UK Parliament says financial information should be presented in
12-point or larger, with the key information in 18pt:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmtreasy/125/12510.htm
point 12
US truth in lending act also specifies 12 point - Cory Doctorow's post at
http://boingboing.net/2009/05/19/minimum-font-size-fo.html shows the
relevant part, in readable form, of !Warning, XML that does not display in
browses! http://thomas.loc.gov/home/gpoxmlc111/h627_eh.xml
And so on.
Or, print the thing, with the same font size as on screen, give your boss
a fat blunt pencil, and ask if s/he can fill it in.
cheers
Chaals
On Tue, 03 May 2016 16:47:36 +0100, Krack, Joseph@DSS
< = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = > wrote:
> I just got hired at a large department in the state of California and
> will begin addressing how they produce their forms. Their forms and
> documents are in pretty bad shape in regards to accessibility.
>
> One of the items I will address is font size. The rules they are
> currently use come from another even larger state agency and it allows
> font sizes from 6 to 12 on forms. Now obviously 6 is too small for most
> people to read (a large quantity of forms are still sent to the printer
> and filled in with pen and pencil by clients), but feel that I need some
> sort of 'official' documentation in order to convince them to stop using
> such small fonts. (something stronger than just common sense :) )
>
> I don't believe WCAG or 508 says anything about font size (except in
> closed functionality systems), is there anything/any standard out there
> that addresses this? Any documentation I can use as ammunition.
>
> Thanks
>
> Joe Krack
>
> > > > --
Charles McCathie Nevile - web standards - CTO Office, Yandex
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = - - - Find more at http://yandex.com
From: Andrews, David B (DEED)
Date: Tue, May 03 2016 10:48AM
Subject: Re: Font size
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For what it's worth, which probably isn't much, the Post Office defines large print as 14 points or bigger.
Dave
David Andrews | Chief Technology Officer
Department of Employment and Economic Development
State Services for the Blind, 2200 University Ave. W., Suite 240, St. Paul MN 55114
Direct: 651-539-2294 | Mobile: 612-730-7931
Web | Twitter | Facebook
From: Krack, Joseph
Date: Tue, May 03 2016 11:06AM
Subject: Re: Font size
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Thanks everyone. (actually Chaals, I was thinking of going to the next meeting about this with all my recommendation and reports printed in 6 point font. But then I thought I should pass probation first :)
Joe