Web Access Centre

Web Access Centre – FAQs

Summary: Frequently asked questions about web accessibility

• What is the best font size to use on my website?
• What are the best text and background colours to use on a web page?
• If I create a text-only version of my website, it will be accessible to everyone, won't it? I don't need to worry about the graphic version.
• Where can I get more information about making websites accessible?
• What is the See it Right accessible website logo?

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What is the best font size to use on my website?

Because of the wide range of settings and equipment that people might be using to access the web, there is no "best font size". Font sizes should be specified using relative units like percentage or EM, since these will allow the user to adjust font sizes up or down to suit their own requirements. Try to avoid using graphics of text, since this locks the text size, and makes it impossible for users to change it. For more information see font sizes.

What are the best text and background colours to use on a web page?

Again, there is no one "best" combination of text and background colours. Different sight conditions can result in widely different needs - some users may be comfortable with black text on a white background, others may prefer white text on a dark blue background, others yellow text on a black background, etc. Pages should be designed in such a way that users can make use of their browser and PC settings to choose a colour scheme that works for them. Again, try to avoid using graphics of text, since users can't change the text and background colours when text is presented in this way. For more information see accessible colours and contrast.

If I create a text-only version of my website, it will be accessible to everyone, won't it? I don't need to worry about the graphic version.

Not really. It might ensure that those using speech or braille output can easily access the content of your site, but for anyone with reading or cognitive problems, a text only site can be a real problem. Partially sighted users, too, can benefit greatly from a well designed combination of text and graphics and would much rather visit a site which is visually appealing.

If you visited a site with a text only version, would you use that version by choice? You need to consider, too, whether or not there will always be the resources available to maintain and update two sites. A text only site which is six months out of date because it hasn't been updated every time the graphic site is updated might be accessible for some users, but it's not much use to anyone.

For more information see text based websites.

Where can I get more information about making websites accessible?

The information in this web accessibility section contains the resources you need to plan, build and test accessible websites.

What is the See it Right accessible website logo?

The See it Right accessible website logo is awarded to websites that RNIB have audited according to the See it Right checkpoints. These checkpoints are taken from the WAI (Website Accessibility Initiative) guidelines which are the definitive international guidelines for building accessible websites. To find out more, read about the See it Right audit process and view our directory of accessible websites.

Content author: webeditor@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 06/03/2008 15:41