This section addresses readability considerations for low-vision users at the word level, distinguishing it from legibility covered in section 1.0.
Case and Spacing
- Words in lowercase typically work better than those in all caps
- Small caps should be avoided
- Even word spacing is essential; uneven spacing reduces legibility
- Justified text alignment is discouraged
Letter and Line Spacing
- Slight increases in letter spacing improve word visibility
- Line spacing should be opened up, but balanced to maintain easy eye tracking between lines
Line Length
A recommended line length of 10-12 words per line, or approximately 55-65 characters.
Type Hierarchy
Creating size variations effectively structures information and improves message accessibility. Indents should be 1-2 times the typeface size (example: 19px Verdana = 19px indent).
Writing Quality
Effective prose uses simple, straightforward language. Omit needless words, specialized vocabularies, and excessive punctuation.