Not allowing users to change TEXT size....

If you want to fix font sizes you can do several things:

• Use px or pt sized fonts and tell persons that
  • they should only use Internet Explorer instead of a standards-compliant browser.
  • You know better than the user what font size should be displayed
  • Accessibility to persons with visual impairments is not a priority
• Render all elements you want with a fixed size font as graphics

However, if you haven't guessed it already, I don't think that is a good idea. It is much better to put a bit of extra thought into a design to allow it to be flexible and accomodate the uer's choice of font siae. You may wish to check out Listmatic and Sliding Doors for examples of providing flexible navigation features that can be graphical but grow with the font size.

Good luck (and hope I didn't sound too harsh :? )

DE

[/][/]

I hear you. But the client wants things their way. I see lots of pages that do just that, ie fix the font size...but I can't see how that can be html wise....

Anyone else?

Jim

As David said, you can't, unless

• The user has an obsolete, non-conforming browser, eg. IE or
• You convert all text to graphics.

And no, the client is not always right. On most issues it's simply a matter of expertise, but on this, it's a matter of law. It is highly likely that a web site that doesn't allow the user to alter font size is in violation of the Disabilities Act of 1995 in the UK and in violation of the ADA in the US, depending on which judge you get at trial. The US and UK are not the only countries that have requirements for accessibility.

cheers,

gary

[/]

but the clients a canuck...we dont' have the need then to follow US or UK laws...and doesn't everyone use IE? latest stats show almost 90% marketshare....

and found it anyways, thanks tho...

will try to get clients to conform....but hey, in my world the client is always RIGHT -- and they sign off on everything!

Jim

For what it's worth, http://www.evolt.org/article/Accessibility_Laws_In_Canada/4090/28074/

Well, it's his butt , but I'd make sure nothing could come back and bite mine.

cheers,

gary

Thanks for the Evolt article link.

I believe we should be proactive as designers regarding accessibility issues, that includes educating clients regarding their emerging obligations in terms of making their sites accessible.

But you know the #1 accessibility hurdle to the blind - it is not font size - it is table based design! Screen readers have no way of navigating the logic of multiply nested tables, most of them without any descriptors. CSS-based design is already miles ahead, it would be a shame not to take it the rest of the way with fully flexible design.

DE