Readability has the tagline “Read Comfortably – Anytime, Anywhere." I first read about the application on TechCrunch where it was touted for its ability to reduce clutter on the web. The problem that Readability addresses is that due to advertising, branding, and individual coding styles frequently information on the web becomes difficult to read due to text size or the color combinations used. I immediately thought that the application could be interesting for persons with visual and/or cognitive disabilities. In fact Readability provides an elegant solution to WCAG2 Guidelines 1.3 and 1.4 “Guideline 1.3 Adaptable: Create content that can be presented in different ways (for example simpler layout) without losing information or structure.” and “Guideline 1.4 Distinguishable: Make it easier for users to see and hear content including separating foreground from background.” The application’s business model is to help foster an ecosystem where authors on the web get paid for their work. I support this mission as well but I think Readability should expand their reach to demonstrate how their application helps make web content more accessible and usable for all.
It has gotten to the point where I use Readability on just about every web article I read. For users on a personal computer Readability is “installed” by dragging a bookmarklet into the browser’s toolbar. Whenever you are on an article that you would like to make easier to read you click the link in your browser’s toolbar and the content will be rendered with new settings that make it easier to read. The video Read Web articles easier with Readability shows a short demonstration of how the application can be configured and used.
Website prior to Readability applied:
Website after Readability applied:
