Services

• Using the Library
• Admissions
• Enquiry Services
• Disabled Readers
  • Access to Libraries
  • Services
  • ARACU
  • Equipment
  • Resources
    • Buildings Access
    • Assistive Technology
    • Presentations
    • Ergonomic Furniture
    • Accessible Documents
      • Clear Print
      • Accessible Electronic Information
    • Useful Links
    • Articles
    • Assistance Animals
• Training, Workshops and Guides
• Making a Copy
• Inter-library Loans
• Facilities
• Using a Laptop

 

Home  »   Services  »  Disabled Readers  »  Resources  »  Accessible Documents  »  Clear Print

This information comes from the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) Clearprint Guidelines but making information clear and accessible goes beyond visual impairment, with a steady increase in assistive software for those with dyslexia, repetitive strain injuries and even chronic fatigue. The aim of these guidelines is not to remove artistic inclinations in design, but to make sure that the information is put across clearly and accessibly.

Large print or clear print?

Large print is type that is between 16-22 point while clear print is type with a minimum of 12 point, but in a format and style that will make it easier to read.

When writing notices or leaflets, you may want to create large print versions, but they should follow the Clear Print Guidelines.

Type size

This varies depending on the requirements of an individual, but at minimum the RNIB recommend 12 point with 14 point for increased accessibility.

Font / typeface

Although the RNIB say this is less important than contrast, weight, size and spacing, the font can also make a difference.

Try to use fonts with a generous x-height. This is the height of the lower-case vowels and this determines the visual size of a typeface. Sans Serif typefaces have a generous x-height and are easier to read.

If you have a choice, try Arial, Univers 55, New Century Schoolbook, Verdana or Futura Regular.

Choose a type also with clear numbers as 3, 5, 8 and 0 are easy to misread.

Type styles

Avoid the use of CAPITALS for continuous text. CAPITALS and italics are harder to read, so don’t use where an alternative emphasis is available – such as bold or underline.

Type weight

Those with sight problems prefer bold or semi-bold weights to normal ones. Light type weights should be avoided in smaller typefaces.

Spacing

The space between the lines is important and should be 1.5 or 2 times the word spacing.

Don’t condense or stretch lines of type or single words to fit your line length.

Line length

The RNIB suggests no more than 50 - 65 letters per line to avoid tired eyes.

Avoid hyphenating words at the end of a line.

Setting

Avoid fitting text around images and where possible, place graphics on the right side of the page so that lines can return to a left-hand margin.

Align words to the left-hand margin as this makes it easier to find the start and finish of each line and keeps the spaces between words even.

Leave spaces between paragraphs and don’t cram pages full of information – it should be simple and clear.

Having recurring features, such as headings and page numbers in the same place also helps.

Columns

The margin between the columns should clearly separate them.

Colour contrasts

Text will be more legible the better the contrast between the background and text. The RNIB suggests black on white or yellow as the best contrast. A choice of leaflets in both colours would be a good idea.

Try to avoid pale and clashing colours such as yellow and grey on light blue.

Printing inks, if not black, should be as dark as possible – avoid yellow inks at all costs as they are next to invisible on white paper.

If you want to reverse the colours (i.e. white type on black or dark paper), make sure the typeface, size and weight are large enough – see the section on Font/Typeface.