Text Spacing
Summary:
WCAG 1.4.12, "Text Spacing," is about ensuring that users can adjust text spacing to improve readability without losing content or functionality. This guideline is especially beneficial for users with dyslexia or other reading disabilities, as well as those who simply find it easier to read text with more space around it.
What:
The criterion specifies that no loss of content or functionality should occur when users change text spacing, including line height, paragraph spacing, letter spacing, and word spacing. It sets out specific metrics for these adjustments: line height to at least 1.5 times the font size, paragraph spacing to at least 2 times the font size, and letter and word spacing to at least 0.12 and 0.16 times the font size, respectively.
Why:
Customizable text spacing is crucial for accessibility because fixed, dense blocks of text can be challenging to read for many people. Allowing users to adjust spacing makes text more digestible and reduces the likelihood of skipping lines or losing place.
Examples and Scenarios:
- Web Articles: Ensure that users can adjust spacing in text-heavy content like articles or blog posts without breaking the layout or losing functionality.
- Educational Materials: Online learning resources should be adaptable in terms of text spacing to cater to diverse reading needs.
- Digital Books and Documents: E-books and digital documents should maintain their readability and navigability even when text spacing is increased.
How to Comply:
- Websites: Use relative units and flexible layouts in CSS to accommodate changes in text spacing. Test your website with different spacing settings.
- Mobile Apps: Ensure the app's design and layout remain functional and coherent when text spacing is adjusted.
- Software Applications: Design interfaces with flexible text spacing in mind, allowing for user-customized spacing without loss of content or functionality.
Exceptions:
- Branding and Logotypes: Text that is part of a logo or brand name is typically exempt, as the spacing is often an integral part of the design.
- Specific Layouts: Some content that requires specific layout for understanding or functionality, such as certain graphical user interfaces, might be exempt.