Why Times New Roman is Difficult for the Visually Impaired & the Rise of Inclusive Fonts
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The biden management’s preference for Calibri over Times New Roman isn’t simply an aesthetic choice; it reflects a growing understanding of accessibility for the visually impaired. This shift mirrors a decision already made by the Braille League in Belgium,who abandoned Times New Roman years ago. The core issue lies in the design of the fonts themselves, specifically the presence of “serifs” in fonts like Times New Roman.
Understanding Serifs and Sans-Serif Fonts
according to Thibaut Vogel, head of the transcription service at the Braille League, fonts are broadly categorized as either serif or sans-serif. “[W]hen you open a Word document, there are lots of different fonts. They are classified as serif or sans serif fonts. Serif, that means with serifs, in English,” Vogel explains. The Braille League has been a leading advocate for accessible reading materials.
Serif fonts, like Times New Roman, are characterized by the small decorative flourishes, or “serifs,” at the end of letter strokes. “And Times New Roman it’s a font with serifs, simply put, at the end of certain letters, there are little flourishes, little finer things. And that is very difficult to distinguish for a visually impaired person.” Vogel stated.
conversely, sans-serif fonts, such as Calibri, lack these embellishments. “These fonts are simplified as much as possible so that symbols, letters and numbers are as readable as possible,” Vogel added. This simplification is key to improving readability for individuals with visual impairments.
Beyond Serifs: Letter Spacing and Inclusive Design
While the presence of serifs is a notable factor, it’s not the only consideration when choosing an accessible font. The space between letters also plays a crucial role. “You need a little space between the letters, so that the letters themselves aren’t too stuck together to form words.[…] Actually, Times New Roman is not an inclusive font at all,” Vogel concludes. Insufficient spacing can cause letters to blend together, making it difficult to discern individual characters.
Luciole: A Font Designed for Visual Impairment
Recognizing the limitations of standard fonts, the Braille League has adopted Luciole, a sans-serif font specifically designed for individuals with visual impairments. Luciole is freely available for download and is gaining traction within the accessibility community. It is currently used by around twenty specialist publishers and hundreds of professionals working in the field of visual impairment.
Key Features of Luciole
While detailed technical specifications are available on the Luciole website, the font prioritizes:
* Clear Character Shapes: Distinct letterforms minimize confusion.
* Generous Letter Spacing: Improved readability by preventing letters from merging.
* High Contrast: Optimized for visibility against various backgrounds.
The Future of accessible Typography
The growing awareness of the importance of accessible typography,as demonstrated by the Biden administration and the Braille League,signals a positive trend. Choosing fonts like Calibri and Luciole, and prioritizing clear design principles, can substantially improve the reading experience for individuals with visual impairments, fostering greater inclusivity in digital and print materials. As technology evolves, continued research and development in accessible font design will be crucial to ensuring that information remains accessible to everyone.
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