A dialog box is an element of graphical user interfaces that communicates key information or requests user input for a specific task, some of which require the user to make a choice/select something before they can close the box and continue interacting with their device. While it seems logical that there would be an option to increase the font size of dialog boxes or make dialog boxes easier to read with low vision, unfortunately there isn’t a specific setting for customizing the appearance of dialog boxes or instantly improving their accessibility in terms of visual access. However, there are still options for reading dialog boxes with low vision, and I’ve put together this list of ways to read dialog boxes in large print or with assistive technology for users with visual impairments.
A quick note on dialog boxes and computer safety
While dialog boxes can be used to make devices and applications easier to use, they can also be an element of pop-up ads, viruses, and malicious advertisements that can impact access to a specific application or device. One of the reasons why I originally created this post is so that users can identify genuine dialog box prompts vs pop-up ads that may appear on a website.
Fake or scam pop-up dialog boxes may contain elements such as misspelled words, grammar errors, inconsistent interfaces, or where multiple dialog boxes appear simultaneously. Take the time to read messages before clicking, and when in doubt, “close it out” by using the Alt+F4 keyboard shortcut, closing all applications, turning off the device, and clearing the recent browser history or removing suspicious looking applications to avoid interacting with suspicious dialog boxes. I share more tips for online safety in my appearance on the Hadley Presents podcast linked below.
With that out of the way, here are tips for making dialog boxes easier to read!
Related links
- How to Avoid Phone and Online Scams When Living With Vision Loss | Hadley (hadleyhelps.org)
- Online Safety For Visually Impaired Users: Safer Internet Day
Increase display scaling
Currently, there is no way to increase the font size of dialog boxes using system settings in any of the major operating systems. Windows removed the capability to adjust dialog box font sizes in Version 1703 in 2017. Both Windows and Macintosh support enlarged system font size, but this setting does not affect dialog boxes, and the large print settings do not impact the size of dialog boxes.
Instead of or in addition to large print settings available in the Accessibility menu, display scaling enlarges all display items on the page such as windows, dialog boxes, text, images, and more, with the same scaling settings applied across all elements. I personally have mine set at 150% to make sure visual elements don’t disappear along the edge of the screen.
To make everything bigger/enable display scaling in Windows 10:
- Select Start, then select Settings > Ease of Access > Display.
- From the drop-down menu, select the desired display scaling value
- To further customize display sizes and scaling, select the link to Change the size of apps and text on other displays
To make everything bigger/enable display scaling in Windows 11:
- Select Start, then select Settings > System > Display.
- Under the Scale & Layout section, select the desired display scaling value from the drop-down menu
- To further customize display sizes and scaling, select Scale and configure a custom scaling size between 100% and 500%
- Select the Check button and then sign out/log in again to view changes
To make everything bigger/enable display scaling for Mac:
- Open System Preferences > Display
- Under Resolution, select Scaled
- Select from list of scaling options
Related links
Enable a high contrast display
For users that aren’t impacted by the font size of a dialog box so much as the default visual appearance, there are a few options for simplifying the appearance of dialog boxes or making them easier to read, including:
- Enabling a high contrast display, which provides a consistent layout and color scheme across applications
- Invert colors, which can be done with screen magnification even at 100% zoom (no magnification) or applied as a system-wide setting. This changes a light-colored display with dark text to a dark-colored display with light text.
- Reducing transparency and increasing contrast/adjusting colors of display in accessibility settings
Related links
Use screen magnification
I personally use screen magnification to read dialog boxes using a tool like Windows Magnifier or Zoom to enlarge the content on my screen, with the option to display inverted colors to help with contrast and making text easier to read. I prefer to use the window view or docked view that follows my mouse cursor and enlarges a specific area of text on the screen, since I am prone to vertigo when using a full-screen magnification view for long periods of time. Browser zoom has no effect on enlarging dialog boxes in my experience, or at least legitimate/genuine ones.
Another helpful feature built into Windows Magnifier is the option to read text out loud that is within the view of the magnification window. This is really helpful for reading dialog boxes with low vision, as I can click on or hover over text and hear it read out loud with a synthesized voice without having to enable text-to-speech or a separate screen reader.
Related links
- Windows Magnifier and Low Vision
- A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
- A to Z of Assistive Technology for Reading Digital Text
Listen to information with a screen reader
A screen reader is a type of software that recognizes text and graphical user interface elements displayed on a screen and renders content as synthesized speech/audio or as braille output. This is different from text-to-speech interfaces, which typically only recognize text/image content and may not recognize dialog boxes. Users with low vision can listen to information read out loud by opening the screen reader of their choice and hovering their mouse over content, or by using keyboard shortcuts, gestures, or other alternative input options.
Each screen reader has different keyboard shortcuts and tools for recognizing a dialog box and reading content out loud/displaying content in braille. Here is a list of keyboard shortcuts for popular Windows screen reader applications:
- Windows Narrator: Narrator key + W (keyboard), swipe up with three fingers (touch screen)
- NVDA: NVDA key + B
- JAWS: Insert + B
Enlarge text with a phone
Some of my friends that have low vision will enlarge dialog boxes by opening their phone’s Camera app and holding it in front of their computer or tablet screen, zooming in on text or taking a picture so they can enlarge the text or listen to it read out loud with OCR. Admittedly, this is often what I would do when working in a computer lab before Magnifier introduced their text-to-speech feature, and it works well for quick tasks.
Related links
- How I Use My Phone As Assistive Technology In Class
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Smartphones
- Reading Handwriting With Assistive Technology
Open a visual assistance application
Another option for reading dialog boxes with low vision is to open a visual assistance app that uses either AI or a human visual interpreter to read text out loud and provide a description of visual information. I like to use the Be My Eyes application for this because I can choose between using either the volunteer service or the Specialized Help section, which can provide more in-depth technical support for troubleshooting system errors. Microsoft and Google have their own Specialized Help profiles, though the other blindness and low vision organizations listed on Specialized Help can also provide assistance with troubleshooting technology as well.
Related links
More tips for reading dialog boxes with low vision
- I find it easier to read dialog boxes on my iPad with Dynamic Text enabled as I can position the screen underneath the bifocal in my glasses, which is helpful for accessing email- learn more about this in How I Organize Emails In College With Low Vision
- Another accessibility setting that has helped me use my computer is having a large mouse pointer and text cursor. I share more about these in Mouse Pointers and Low Vision and How To Make Text Cursors Easier To See In Windows
- Want to learn more about peripheral devices for low vision users? Read Computer Mice and Mouse Alternatives For Low Vision and Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Keyboards
Published June 18, 2019. Updated August 2024