Twitter “Actively Seeks Solution” for New Chirp Police Over Migraine Complaints

Twitter is looking for a solution to its new “Chirp font” and color scheme after a number of users complained that its higher visual contrast was causing them pain.

The social media platform posted on its accessibility account that it was “actively looking for a fix” for the font and found issues specifically with the font on Windows.

“Thank you for your patience and please let us know if you have any further comments,” the accessibility team wrote, adding that it was working on a solution to the Windows issue.

Twitter Design tweeted last week that they’ve updated the colors to be high-contrast and less blue to “get more attention to photos and videos” shared on the platform.

But it has also proven controversial among accessibility campaigners, as high contrast colors are not considered accessible to photosensitive people.

Users reported experiencing eye strain, headaches, and migraines due to both the new font and its contrast, as well as the new color scheme.

Twitter seeks solution to its new “Chirp font” after a number of users complained that its higher visual contrast caused eye strain, headaches and migraines

The social media platform posted on its accessibility account that it was ‘actively looking for a fix’ for the font and found issues specifically with the font on Windows

Twitter didn’t say how long it would take to find a solution to the problem, only that it was working on fine-tuning the font and color scheme.

Any new design often demands a mixed response from users, with many getting used to or accepting it over time. Unfortunately, in this case, users reported health issues as a result of using the website in its new form.

People have complained that it causes them real pain, due to migraines, eye strain and other issues, with many users simply asking them to choose to revert to the old font and color scheme.

Accessibility activists say one size doesn’t fit all, and the biggest problem with changes like this is the lack of choice.

High contrast designs can be useful for people with low vision or color blindness, but they are difficult and painful for people sensitive to bright colors or light.

So by introducing a drastic change to help one group, the others are left with less choice and unable to use the website.

Twitter user ‘Back in the Narrative’ said: ‘Accessibility is not one size fits all.’

They added, “These new features have made Twitter inaccessible to people with astigmatism and dyslexia (the new font) and photosensitive migraines and color contrasts (the new color scheme). Changes must be an OPTION, not a default. ‘

Sarah7 tweeted: “Just for the record, if you really want to be accessible, you can design the app to give users the ability to change contrast, font, size, etc. to whatever suits them best”

There was also concern that the new font is not resizable, with Twitter responding to a user saying “We are currently reviewing everyone’s comments on the font and we will iterate and make fixes.”

Sarah7 tweeted: “Just for the record, if you really want to be accessible, you can design the app to give users the ability to change contrast, font, size, etc. to whatever suits them best.

“Also, maybe you could ask a wide range of people with disabilities to test these features before implementing them. “

Twitter said, “We are changing the contrast of all the buttons to make them more pleasing to the eye because you told us the new look was uncomfortable for people with sensory sensitivity. We listen and reiterate.

The company says it is reviewing all comments and working on a solution.