Unlocking Web Accessibility: The Power of Adjustable Text
Imagine a world where everyone can easily read and navigate your website, regardless of their visual abilities. Sounds like a utopia, right? Well, it’s achievable, and it starts with making your text size adjustable.
The Importance of Adjustable Text
For many users, standard font sizes can be a barrier to accessing your content. Whether they have low vision or simply prefer a larger text size, adjustable text is a game-changer. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) emphasize the importance of resizable text, stating that it should be possible to increase text size up to 200% without losing content or functionality.
Meeting the Accessibility Standards
So, how can you ensure your website meets these standards? One approach is to implement a text resizing widget, which allows users to adjust the font size to their comfort. This widget can be as simple as a pair of buttons or links that increase or decrease the text size.
The Feasibility of Retrofitting
But what if your website wasn’t designed with accessibility in mind? Fear not! Retrofitting a text resizing widget is feasible, even on existing sites. However, you may encounter challenges like pixel-based font sizes and large text that can break the layout when resized.
A Flexible Solution
To overcome these hurdles, you can use CSS selectors to specify which text elements should be resizable. Then, calculate the initial font size and update it based on the user’s preferred text size setting. This approach is flexible, easy to implement, and can be used on virtually any site without updating markup or styling.
Creating a Text Resizing Widget
Ready to take action? Create an array of CSS selectors for resizable text elements, get the initial font size, and store the selector and font size as a key-value pair. When a user adjusts the text size, update the setting and store it in the browser. Finally, calculate the new font size based on the initial value and the new text size setting, and apply it to the selector.
Designing an Intuitive Widget
Don’t forget to make your widget user-friendly! Use large, high-contrast text and easy-to-click buttons. Ensure the widget is easily accessible and its purpose is clear. You can even make it slide out from the side or bottom of the screen for a sleek, modern look.
The Right Approach for You
There are many ways to enable text resizing on your website. The approach outlined here is just one option, but the right solution depends on your platform, codebase, audience, and budget. By prioritizing accessibility, you can create a more inclusive online experience for everyone.