As educators, we’ve become creators of digital content, designing and sharing material with our students in innovative ways. However, while digital content offers many benefits, it’s important to ensure that it’s accessible to all students, including those with visual impairments or reading disabilities.

One crucial aspect of digital accessibility is font choice. Fonts that are easily readable are essential for students with visual impairments or reading difficulties, and can also support students with their handwriting when they see a font that models proper letter formation. When selecting a font, it’s important to choose one that has clear differentiation between lowercase and uppercase letters, and to use solid thickness without relying on bold formatting, which could limit additional formatting options.

To ensure that all students can easily read digital content, we recommend using a font size of at least 16pt. This can help ensure that text is legible for all students, including those with visual impairments or those accessing content on smaller screens. It’s also important to avoid using decorative fonts, as they can be difficult to read and can even be a distraction for some students.

By prioritizing font accessibility in our digital content, we can ensure that all students have equal access to the material we share. In doing so, we also help to create a more inclusive learning environment, where all students feel valued and supported. Let’s keep font accessibility in mind as we continue to create and share digital content with our students.

FOLLOW THE FULL SERIES

This is one of a series of posts from Cassie Brusch and Julie Ortlieb.  Check the MCIU Learning Network throughout this year to see more posts from this series.

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