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Issue/Question
Title II ADA compliance: Fonts
Why is this Important?
- Improves readability for users with visual impairments.
- Supports screen magnification and clarity.
- Enhances overall legibility across devices.
Environment
- Anytime you are creating digital documents or presentations intended for public or internal use.
Cause
Title II ADA Compliance
Resolution
How To Use It
Use clean, sans-serif fonts like Arial, Verdana, or Calibri. Set font size to a minimum of 12 point for documents and 20 point for presentations.
Use Left-aligned text for better readability.
Avoid:
- All Caps
- Bolding entire blocks of text
- Underline, as its reserved for hyperlinks
Example
Instead of using Times New Roman 10 point in a flyer, switch to Calibri 12 point for better legibility and accessibility.
Not Accessible for Documents or presentations: Black Hills State University
Accessible for Documents: Black Hills State University
Accessible for Presentations: Black Hills State University
Tips for Checking Accessibility
Use the Accessibility Checker in Word or PowerPoint (Review > Check Accessibility) to flag small font sizes. Manually review font choices to ensure they are sans-serif and easy to read. Zoom out to 75% to simulate low vision readability.
For additional information visit the links below:
Understanding Accessible Fonts and Typography for Section 508 Compliance
ADA Compliant Fonts - Accessibility Laws