[Athen] Left-aligned vs justified text

Robert Beach rbeach at KCKCC.EDU
Wed Jul 5 09:40:22 PDT 2017


Following the instructor's idea to its logical conclusion, we've always used printed textbooks so they must not be a problem for accessibility. Hmmm, I think I see a problem here. <grin>


Robert Lee Beach
Assistive Technology Specialist
Kansas City Kansas Community College
7250 State Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66112
Phone: 913-288-7671
Email: rbeach at kckcc.edu<mailto:rbeach at kckcc.edu>

From: athen-list [mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Krista Greear
Sent: Wednesday, July 5, 2017 11:34 AM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: [Athen] Left-aligned vs justified text

The professor's quote, "since justified text is always used in books, it must not be a problem for accessibility", both amuses and exasperates me.

...Just because we have always done something a certain way does not mean it was actually accessible then, nor does it mean it is accessible now. This is a great reflection of an outdated, widespread philosophy that we are trying to change.


KRISTA GREEAR
Assistant Director
Disability Resources for Students

011 Mary Gates Hall
Box 352808
Seattle, WA 98195-2808
Direct: 206.221.4136 / Main: 206.543.8924
greeark at uw.edu<mailto:greeark at uw.edu>/ http://disability.uw.edu<http://disability.uw.edu/>
[cid:image001.gif at 01D2F583.7B60FB80]

From: athen-list [mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Christine Robinson
Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2017 9:15 AM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>>
Subject: Re: [Athen] Left-aligned vs justified text

Thanks, everybody!

Ragged-edge/left-aligned makes more sense to me intuitively, for accessibility/readability, but I started to question myself after a chemistry professor complained that it looks "messy." He posited that since justified text is always used in books, it must not be a problem for accessibility.

Thanks for all your help. :)


Christine Robinson | Technical Trainer/Writer | Center for Teaching Excellence
Georgia Gwinnett College | 1000 University Center Lane, Suite A-1020 | Lawrenceville, GA 30043
678-407-5193 office | 770-856-2022 mobile

From: athen-list [mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Robert Beach
Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2017 10:00 AM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>>
Subject: Re: [Athen] Left-aligned vs justified text

Also, using justified text will cause unusual spacing between letters and words which can be problematic for individuals with low vision and/or learning disabilities.


Robert Lee Beach
Assistive Technology Specialist
Kansas City Kansas Community College
7250 State Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66112
Phone: 913-288-7671
Email: rbeach at kckcc.edu<mailto:rbeach at kckcc.edu>

From: athen-list [mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Susan Kelmer
Sent: Wednesday, July 5, 2017 8:53 AM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>>
Subject: Re: [Athen] Left-aligned vs justified text

Just say no to justified text. If it has to be converted to something else (say, PDF to Word), the result is disastrous. Left-justified should be your go to.

Susan Kelmer
Alternate Format Production Program Manager
Disability Services
University of Colorado Boulder
303-735-4836



From: athen-list [mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman13.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Christine Robinson
Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2017 7:24 AM
To: athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: [Athen] Left-aligned vs justified text

Hi -

Can anybody tell me, for certain, whether there are accessibility standards regarding making text left-aligned instead of justified, in both web pages and electronic documents such as Word and PDF?

thanks!
Chris

Christine Robinson | Technical Trainer/Writer | Center for Teaching Excellence
Georgia Gwinnett College | 1000 University Center Lane, Suite A-1020 | Lawrenceville, GA 30043
678-407-5193

My job is about helping the GGC community make better use of our commonly-used technology.
Feel free to ask me for help!

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