IER for 1.4.5 Default to platform text settings

Greetings! Per our most recent conference call, here are draft Intent, Examples, and Related Resources sections for 1.4.5.


        1.4.5 Default to platform text settings: The user can specify that platform text settings be used as the default values for text configuration. (Level AA)


*Applies to:*

_UA user interface_, _Content user interface_, _Configuration settings_

*Typically Implemented in:*

browser, reader

*Intent of Success Criterion 1.4.5:*

Some people find that it easier to read when text is displayed using a specific set of attributes, such as font, size, text and background colors, or spacing. While some requirements are most common (such as larger text), the combination that works best will vary from one individual to the next. They will typically want these setting applied to both user interfaces and rendered content. On many platforms the user can adjust platform preference settings to meet their needs, and these settings are available to applications such as user agents. Each applications can then provide a simple user option to follow those settings, rather than make the user repeat the configuration process in every application. Likewise it means that if their needs change, or they discover settings that work better for them, they can make that change in one place rather than repeating it over and over again. This also makes it easier for the user to maintain a consistent presentation across all their 
applications. If the user relies on these settings, they can instruct the user agent to override author-specified text attributes (per other success criteria in _Guideline 1.4_).

*Examples for Success Criterion 1.4.5:*

Lee has low vision from albinism and when the background is white, it is hard for her to read and hurts her eyes. She changes the colors in her operating system to white text on a black background. However, many web pages specify their own colors, so she adjusts the user preferences in her browser to always use the system colors, regardless of how the pages are authored.

Erin has dyslexia and finds it easiest to read sans serif text with relatively low brightness and color differences between text and its background. She changes the font and colors in her operating system’s Control Panel to work well for her. These settings are automatically reflected in her browser’s user interface. However, many web pages specify their own colors, so she adjusts the user preferences in her browser to always use the system fonts and colors, regardless of how the pages are authored.

Sebeeya has low vision. She finds text easiest to read at 16 pt Palatino and adjusted her operating system’s preference settings to use these for its menus and other controls. She appreciates that her browser automatically respects these settings by displaying its menus and controls in this same style.

*Related Resources for Success Criterion 1.4.5:*
_
__Guideline 1.4 Provide text configuration_ discusses additional success criteria about options for text presentation.

_Guideline 2.6 Preference settings discusses_ additional success criteria about configuring preference settings.