You might try Verdana, which has the advantage of spacing which makes it
easier to read when the characters are themselves very small. (This is one
of the reasons why it is becomming increasingly popular with web designers,
I think.) I remember a while back (several years ago) John Stein had some
research out about what made characters easy to read and the conclusion was
that physical size by itself was a long way down the list of priorities. If
anyone has a reference to this research, I would be glad of it.
Bernard Doherty
Assessor
East Anglia Regional ACCESS Centre
Anglia Polytechnic University
East Road
Cambridge CB1 1PT
01223 363271 x2534
[log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Gregory" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2004 12:15 PM
Subject: Re: Standard font type and size
> 14 point is generally regarded as being too large for standard
> documentation. 12 point would be the absolute minimum with the option of
> producing larger copies on request.
>
> With regard to fonts, many of the san serif fonts should be readable by
> someone with a vision impairment as it is the serifs which cause the
> problem. However, as there are probably as many different eye conditions
as
> there are fonts, it is always tricky to determine which would be the most
> widely accepted. Again, if someone has problems with the font you choose,
> then consult with the individual and produce it in the most appropriate
> format to suit that individual. As you say, Arial is the RNIB;s preferred
> font, but others such as Univers, Gill Sans and Helvetica are equally as
> good.
>
> Obviously this poses problems if one is talking about very large
documents.
> However, someone somewhere has produced that document on a PC and it can
be
> easily reformatted or provided as an electronic format.
>
> JG.
>
> John Gregory
> Access Officer
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Haeussler Elvira
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 20 July 2004 11:57
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Standard font type and size
>
> Hello all,
>
> I have recently run across a problem when asked to give
> advice on an
> accessible font for the College to use in all its
materials
> . The aim was to
> find a font type and size that would be acceptable to as
> many people as
> possible, including people with various disabilities. I
> suggested using
> Arial, as that is the font suggested as a standard by the
> RNIB. However, I
> have since been contacted by someone working with people
> with poor literacy,
> who told me that some of the punctuation in Arial was
> difficult to read for
> people with literacy needs, and that their suggested font
> was Century
> Gothic, which in turn is difficult for people with poor
> sight to read.
>
> I am getting the impression that different groups suggest
a
> different font
> style and size to use as a standard. Does anyone know of a
> font that would
> be suitable for as many different people as possible?
>
> Also, I know that the RNIB suggest using 14 point print as
a
> standard.
> however, I have had many complaints from colleagues
because
> it looks too big
> on a page and takes up too much room. Does anyone know
what
> size is best
> used as a standard?
>
> I'd be interested in your comments.
>
> Regards
>
> Elvira Haeussler
> WONDER 2 Project Manager
> Dewsbury College
> Halifax Road
> Dewsbury
> WF13 2AS
> Tel: 01924 465 916
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
>
>
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