Re: Text sizing

Eric Anderson
Thu, 06 Jul 2006 16:01:43 -0000

Bauser, Joseph (Joe) wrote:
> time. However, what about a web based application which a user may use
> at work and may not be given the option of having Firefox installed on
> their provided computers? (As is the case with a few of my co-workers in
> the past).

I understand companies have policies about installing unapproved 3rd
party software. But most sane companies should have some channel to get
software approved that is needed. If they have hired a disabled person
who has low vision problems and they are unwilling to let that user
install software that allows them to read the websites clearly (and I am
assuming their job role involves them using the web) then the company
has a problem. That is like a company hiring a blind person and telling
that person they cannot install a screen reader. In both cases it would
probably be violating the Americans for Disabilities Act (assuming this
company is based in America). The employee could probably sue the company.

I guess I just don''t like the idea of assuming that every disabled user
is too dumb to find and configure tools that help them and therefore web
developers must litter their applications and websites with controls
that are a poor substitute for built-in browser support.

It seems to me that all these web-based controls just clutter the
website and make it less accessible. Instead of the user finding the
option in their browser to increase the font size they must figure out
how to use each control which works differently on every website that
implements it. Also they will probably have to re-adjust that control
every X number of times they visit the site. For users that are using
screen readers these controls will just get in the way of them
understanding the content.

> In my mind, if there''s a way to provide an accessible site with
minimal
> extra effort (such as the 76% and em sizing solution) which is also
> cross browser and contains no hacks then it''s worth the extra few
minutes.

Seems to me the 76% and em sizing solution is a hack. The person who
developed that hack took 250 screenshots to find just the right way to
achieve the results they were after. I admire the use of experimentation
but I doubt it is maintainable. You think 3 years from now 76% will
still be the magic number? Or will some new version of IE or Firefox
change the results of that experiment?

I appreciate your feedback. I have been thinking a lot about
accessibility lately. Especially about trying to decide what really
matters and what just seems more accessible. This conversation has
helped me in that effort.

Eric