*This article is an English translation of a Japanese article.
Introduction
In web accessibility, “readability” is a crucial factor that ensures users can accurately and quickly understand information. JIS X 8341-3:2016 sets specific criteria for achieving readability, aiming to make content easy to read for various users, including those with visual impairments, learning disabilities, or elderly individuals. This article provides an overview of the success criteria for “readability” and outlines specific strategies for meeting these criteria.
Overview of “Readability” Success Criteria
The success criteria for “readability” are designed to ensure that users can easily read and understand web content. This encompasses a broad range of visual elements, including font size, color contrast, line spacing, layout, and the structure of text. Key considerations include:
- Text contrast: Ensuring sufficient contrast between text and background to improve visibility.
- Font selection: Using clear, legible fonts.
- Proper line and paragraph spacing: Ensuring that text isn’t too cramped, making it easier to read.
- Simplicity of language: Avoiding complex language and jargon to ensure content is accessible to all.
These guidelines are especially important for users with visual impairments, reading disabilities, dementia, or elderly users who may struggle with processing complex information.
Specific Requirements of the Success Criteria
To meet the “readability” success criteria, the following specific requirements must be addressed:
1. Text and Background Contrast
The contrast ratio between text and background should be at least 4.5:1. For larger or bold text, a contrast ratio of 3:1 is recommended. Ensuring a strong contrast improves readability for users with low vision or color blindness.
2. Font Selection and Size
Use simple, legible fonts, and ensure that the minimum font size is at least 16px. Additionally, set the line height to 1.5 times the font size to prevent text from appearing cramped, making it easier to read.
3. Spacing and Layout Adjustment
Maintain appropriate spacing between letters, words, and lines to avoid overcrowding. Provide ample margin on both sides of the text to help users easily distinguish the beginning and end of paragraphs.
4. Use of Plain Language
Avoid using complex words or industry-specific jargon. Opt for simple, clear language, and where necessary, provide explanations or supplementary information.
5. Limiting Line Length
Limit the number of characters per line to around 60–70 characters to reduce eye strain. Lines that are too long can make reading more difficult, so it’s essential to maintain a comfortable line length.
Practical Steps for Web Developers and Operators
To ensure that the readability criteria are met, web developers and operators should implement the following measures:
- Use contrast-checking tools: Use tools such as WebAIM’s contrast checker to verify that the text and background contrast meet the required ratios.
- Review fonts and layout: Regularly review and adjust font size, line spacing, and paragraph spacing to ensure that the content remains easy to read.
- Gather user feedback: Obtain feedback from users, particularly those with visual or learning disabilities, to identify areas where readability can be improved.
- Create user-friendly content: Simplify text by avoiding long-winded sentences. Use bullet points and headings to organize information, and incorporate images or diagrams to support the text where needed.
Importance and Impact of “Readability”
Improving readability ensures that all users can comfortably access and understand the information presented on a website. For elderly users or those with disabilities, the ease with which they can read content significantly impacts their overall web experience. Furthermore, websites that are easy to read tend to reduce bounce rates, increase user engagement, and boost conversion rates.
Conclusion
The “readability” success criteria outlined in JIS X 8341-3:2016 provide guidelines for making web content understandable and accessible to all users. By focusing on appropriate font size, contrast, line spacing, and using plain language, web developers can ensure that content is easy to read for everyone. Implementing these measures will contribute to a more inclusive digital experience and help build a more accessible web for all users.
We have released the UUU Web Accessibility Widget Tool, designed to make web accessibility easy to implement. This tool helps improve the accessibility of websites quickly and efficiently, even without specialized knowledge.
If you’re interested in enhancing your website’s accessibility, please check out the details. We are here to support you in making your website more user-friendly and accessible to a wider audience.