President Joe Biden’s State Department has barred the use of the popular font Times New Roman in official communications. According to The Washington Free Beacon, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the new guideline on Tuesday, claiming that it undermines the department’s commitment to “disability inclusion.”
big news for font freaks: Times New Roman is being phased out at the State Department & replaced by Calibri. Secretary Blinken sent a cable to all embassies today directing staff not to send him any more papers with Times New Roman. Subject: "The Times (New Roman) are a-Changin" pic.twitter.com/HENLbRH3UQ
— John Hudson (@John_Hudson) January 17, 2023
In a memo titled “The Times (New Roman) are a-Changin,” Blinken told department employees to use larger sans-serif font in high-level internal documents. Blinken also gave the department’s foreign and domestic offices until Feb. 6 to adopt Calibri as the standard font for all communications.
Blinken stated in the memo that his office was making the change in a bid to help those who are visually impaired or have difficulties reading. According to The Washington Post, Blinken claimed the department’s move to Calibri will make it easier for people with disabilities to read department communication.
Apparently the change was made because fonts with serifs create "issues for individuals with disabilities," per the cable i obtained. Have already spoken to two FSOs who say they like Calibri but expect some tumult inside the department. Stay tuned for a 12-part reporting series pic.twitter.com/KD7V5rUDT2
— John Hudson (@John_Hudson) January 17, 2023
The department’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion recommended Calibri as an “accessibility best practice.” Reports, however, suggest that the new guideline has left many employees who were already familiar with the Times New Roman displeased.
According to The Washington Post, one Foreign Service officer, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said they were “anticipating an internal revolt.”
“A colleague of mine called it sacrilege,” said another Foreign Service officer in Asia, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity. “I don’t mind the decision because I hate serifs, but I don’t love Calibri.”
The decision comes as Blinken prepares to visit China next month. Several American families whose loved ones are wrongly held in Chinese prisons are urging Blinken to use his visit to demand the release of their loved ones.
“My message for Blinken is: say their names,” said Katherine Swidan, whose son, Mark, has been imprisoned in China for over ten years. “They’re American citizens. They’ve been wrongfully detained. Enough is enough.”
