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Allow users to customize text appearance (colors, width, line height, spacing).
Why it matters: Users with reading disabilities need specific text settings to read effectively.
For the visual presentation of blocks of text, a mechanism is available to achieve the following: (Level AAA) Foreground and background colors can be selected by the user. Width is no more than 80 characters or glyphs (40 if CJK). Text is not justified (aligned to both the left and the right margins). Line spacing (leading) is at least space-and-a-half within paragraphs, and paragraph spacing is at least 1.5 times larger than the line spacing. Text can be resized without assistive technology up to 200 percent without requiring horizontal scrolling.
What This Means: This success criterion requires providing mechanisms for users to customize the visual presentation of text blocks. Users must be able to select foreground and background colors, control text width (max 80 characters, or 40 for CJK), avoid justified text, adjust line spacing to at least 1.5x, adjust paragraph spacing, and resize text up to 200% without horizontal scrolling.
Why It's Important: Users with dyslexia, reading disabilities, or low vision often need specific text presentation settings to read effectively. Some users need specific color combinations, wider line spacing, or narrower text columns. Justified text can create uneven spacing that makes reading difficult. By allowing customization, we enable users to create an optimal reading environment for their needs.
Provide user controls or preferences to customize text appearance. This can be done through a settings panel, browser extensions, or CSS that respects user preferences. Ensure text width doesn't exceed 80 characters (40 for CJK languages), avoid justified text alignment, provide at least 1.5x line spacing, and allow text resizing up to 200% without horizontal scrolling.
This criterion ensures that users with dyslexia can access and understand the content, improving their overall experience and ability to use the website effectively.
This criterion ensures that users with low vision can access and understand the content, improving their overall experience and ability to use the website effectively.
This criterion ensures that users with cognitive disabilities can access and understand the content, improving their overall experience and ability to use the website effectively.
Impact: When this criterion is properly implemented, it removes barriers for these user groups and creates a more inclusive web experience for everyone.
Text appearance is fixed with no customization options available.
<p style="color: #000; background: #fff; width: 800px; line-height: 1.2;">
Fixed text presentation
</p>Text appearance can be customized through user preferences or controls.
<div class="text-content" data-customizable="true">
<p>Text that can be customized</p>
</div>
<div class="text-controls">
<button onclick="changeTextColor()">Change Colors</button>
<button onclick="adjustLineHeight()">Adjust Spacing</button>
</div>This success criterion benefits the following user groups:
Tip: Use this checklist during development and testing to ensure all requirements for 1.4.8 Visual Presentation are met. Check off items as you complete them.
Note: These are official W3C resources for 1.4.8. For the most up-to-date information and detailed technical guidance, always refer to the official W3C documentation.
Implementing 1.4.8 Visual Presentation correctly requires understanding your specific context. Code solutions vary significantly based on multiple factors:
HTML, React, Vue, Angular, PHP, Python, and other frameworks each have different patterns and best practices.
Server-side rendering, client-side rendering, static generation, and hybrid approaches require different solutions.
Your existing components, styling approach, and UI library influence how accessibility must be implemented.
Your specific user base, content type, and interaction patterns determine the most appropriate implementation.
We provide tailored implementation guidance by analyzing your specific technology stack, coding patterns, design system, and project requirements. Our team reviews your codebase and provides custom solutions that integrate seamlessly with your existing architecture.
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Perceivable PrincipleGuideline
1.4 Distinguishable