Choosing the Right Dyslexia-Friendly Font for Reading and Writing

Dyslexia is a common learning difference that uniquely impacts how each person processes written language. A core characteristic is difficulty decoding words, which affects reading and spelling development. Without proper support, dyslexia can create hurdles for academic success.

However, the right resources can help dyslexic students thrive. As Dyslexia Awareness Month approaches, let’s explore one empowering tool – dyslexia-friendly fonts. Optimized for readability, these typefaces minimize visual confusion. This guide covers top font picks, design features that enhance legibility, and tips for use in classrooms and homes. With ideal fonts and support, dyslexic students gain the confidence to flex their talents and creativity.

Dyslexia Awareness Month

Occurring yearly in October, Dyslexia Awareness Month promotes understanding and support for the estimated 1 in 10 individuals worldwide with dyslexia. Activities aim to foster inclusive, strengths-based mindsets that empower dyslexic students to thrive. As caring teachers and parents, we can help remove barriers to literacy. One key aspect is the choice of fonts, as different typefaces can significantly impact readability for dyslexic individuals.

Fonts for Dyslexic Students

When considering fonts for dyslexic individuals, it's important to recognize that there's no universal choice that suits everyone. Preferences for dyslexia-friendly fonts vary from person to person. Some notable options include Dysfont, Dyslexie, OpenDyslexic, Lexia Readable, Read Regular, Tiresias, Sassoon, and others.

It is worth noting that each of these fonts comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, making the choice of font a highly personal one.

Furthermore, for dyslexic readers, certain standard fonts such as Arial, Comic Sans, Verdana, Tahoma, Trebuchet, Calibri, and Open Sans also exhibit dyslexia-friendly characteristics.

Martin Pyšný, a designer, a dyslexic individual, and a TEDx speaker, has been developing Dysfont for about 9 years. This specialized font is introduced with Promova’s Dyslexia Mode and addresses key challenges faced by dyslexics when working with text. According to Martin, it offers several benefits, including:

• Simple and clean letter construction.
• Inner spacing and letter shapes that prevent confusion with problematic letters.
• Similarity between uppercase and lowercase letters.
• Minimization of horizontally mirrored letterforms.
• Reduction of visual stress effects.
• Availability in multiple weights.

However, Martin notes, “It may appear unusual at first glance due to its distinctive letterforms for problematic letters. It may require a second look by the reader to fully appreciate.”

In addition to Dysfont, Martin provides insights on other fonts:

"For language learning through apps, certain design considerations can make it more accessible for neurodivergent people. For example, reducing color brightness, offering different ways to memorize words, and avoiding gamification features. Promova already incorporates these elements."

Dyslexia-Friendly Design Features

Fonts for dyslexia go beyond aesthetics, prioritizing functionality to accommodate the unique needs of individuals with dyslexia. 

There are some most common guidelines, that ensure an optimal reading experience:

• Use Sans-Serif fonts.
• Opt for a font size between 12-14 points.
• Adjust inter-letter spacing to around 35% of the average letter width.
• Maintain inter-word spacing at least 3.5 times the inter-letter spacing.
• Larger line spacing can improve readability.
• Avoid underlining and italics; use bold for emphasis.
• Prefer lowercase letters for continuous text. 

Other adjustments may include:

• Altering Letter Forms: Graphic designers modify letter forms to enhance uniqueness, reducing the likelihood of confusion between similar letters.
• Heavier Weighted Bottoms: By adding weight to the lower parts of letters, such as "p" and "q," designers create a more distinctive appearance.
• Wider Openings: Letters like "a" and "e" are often adjusted to have wider openings, making them easier to distinguish.
• Bold Punctuation and Capitals: Bold punctuation marks and capital letters are used strategically to emphasize important elements within the text.
• Slanted or Handwritten Styles: Introducing slanted or handwritten letter styles adds further distinctiveness to the font, aiding dyslexic readers in letter recognition.
• Lengthening Extenders: Extenders on letters like "b," "d," and "h" are lengthened, reducing the risk of confusion between these mirror-image letters.
• Widening Prominent Curves: Letters such as "m," "n," and "h" have their prominent curves widened, making them easier to identify.
• Creating Uniqueness for Clarity: Unique letterforms minimize the chances of letter confusion during reading. This approach is effective for resolving issues with mirror-image letters like "b" and "d" or "p" and "q." Additionally, it aids in distinguishing similar letter pairs such as "l" and the number "1," "f" and "t," and "a" or "o" or "c."
• Addressing Letter Combinations: Dyslexic readers may also encounter challenges with specific letter combinations, such as confusing "rn" for the single letter "m." Adjusting the curve of the arch and modifying the width of "r" reduce the likelihood of errors in letter recognition.

Typing vs. Handwriting: Embracing Technology

For students with dyslexia, the act of writing by hand can pose significant challenges. It often becomes a source of frustration as they grapple with concerns about spelling accuracy and struggle to decipher their own handwriting. Additionally, for those dealing with dysgraphia or dyspraxia, the physical act of writing can even be painful.

To address these obstacles, educators often recommend teaching dyslexic students to touch type. This approach leverages the power of muscle memory in the fingers, aiding in spelling accuracy and offering the advantage of accessing various fonts for proofreading.

One valuable tool for this purpose is the Touch-type Read and Spell (TTRS) program. TTRS adopts a dyslexia-friendly approach, teaching keyboarding skills through a phonics-based method. What sets it apart is its multi-sensory delivery, allowing students to not only see letters and letter combinations but also hear the sounds they represent while typing the corresponding keys.

TTRS serves as a comprehensive resource, benefiting dyslexic learners in multiple ways. It strengthens decoding skills, equips students with a wide range of high-frequency vocabulary, and provides an invaluable edge in sight-reading. Moreover, it offers a selection of fonts, catering to individual preferences and enhancing the reading experience. By embracing technology and innovative learning methods, we empower dyslexic learners to thrive and excel in their educational journey.

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Optimizing Content Structure

Effectively structuring your content can greatly enhance accessibility and understanding. Here's a user-friendly guide to achieve this:

Headings and Organization

• Headings and Styles: Use headings and styles to create a clear and consistent structure within your content. These tools are typically found in the 'Home' tab of applications like Microsoft Word.
• When using headings, ensure the font size is at least 20% larger than the regular text. To emphasize further, consider using bold formatting.
• Formatting for Accessibility: Employ formatting tools for text alignment, justification, indents, lists, and line and paragraph spacing, particularly to support users who rely on assistive technology. Look for these options in the 'Layout' tab in software like Microsoft Word.
• Add extra space around headings and between paragraphs to provide visual separation and enhance readability.
• Distinct Hyperlinks: Make hyperlinks visually distinct from headings and regular text to facilitate easy identification for users.

Color Considerations

• Background: Use single-color backgrounds and avoid complex background patterns or distracting images. This minimizes visual clutter.
• Ensure sufficient contrast levels between the background and text for readability.
• Opt for dark-colored text on a light (but not pure white) background, as this is more comfortable for those with color vision deficiencies (avoid green and red, as these colors are difficult for those with color blindness).
• When using whiteboards or visual aids, consider alternatives to pure white backgrounds, such as cream or soft pastel colors, as white can appear overly bright. Keep in mind that individual preferences may vary.
• When printing, choose matte paper instead of glossy to prevent text from showing through the other side.

Thoughtful Layout

• Text Alignment: Left-align text rather than justifying it. This ensures a clear start and finish for each line and maintains even spacing between words.
• Avoid multiple columns, which are common in newspapers, to simplify reading.
• Craft short, straightforward sentences with an optimal length of 60 to 70 characters.
• Use white space strategically to eliminate clutter around text and group-related content.
• In lengthy documents, include regular section headings and a table of contents to aid navigation.

Effective Writing Style

• Active Voice: Prioritize active voice over passive constructions to convey clarity and directness.
• Conciseness: Keep your writing concise and avoid long, dense paragraphs that may overwhelm readers.
• Simplicity: Use plain, everyday language to ensure broad comprehension.
• Visual Support: Incorporate images, such as flow charts, to complement your text and facilitate the explanation of processes. Pictograms and graphics can also assist in locating and understanding information within the text.
• Bullet Points and Numbering: Instead of lengthy prose, consider using bullet points and numbering to present information in a more digestible format.
• Clear Instructions: Provide instructions in a clear and straightforward manner, avoiding double negatives that can confuse readers.
• Abbreviations and Jargon: Minimize the use of abbreviations, and when necessary, provide their expanded forms when they are first introduced. Consider including a glossary to clarify any specialized jargon.

By implementing these practices, you can create content that is not only well-structured but also accessible and easily understood by a wide range of readers.

How Promova Supports Dyslexic Learners in Language Learning

At Promova, we are dedicated to making language learning accessible and enjoyable for every individual, including those with dyslexia. We understand that every learner is unique, and our platform is designed to cater to diverse needs. 

Here's how Promova can assist dyslexic students and individuals in their language learning journey:

• Specialized Font and Color Schemes:

Promova offers dyslexia-friendly font Dysfront and optimized color schemes that promote readability and reduce visual confusion. These features are specifically designed to enhance the learning experience for dyslexic learners.

• Multisensory Approach:

By harnessing the potential of multiple senses, this approach can greatly benefit Promova’s learners. Clear communication, positive reinforcement, and adaptable assessment techniques enrich their educational journey.

• Personalized Assistance:

We recognize that dyslexic learners may benefit from personalized support. Our team of expert tutors is available to assist and guide dyslexic individuals through their language-learning journey. Whether it's clarifying concepts, offering strategies for language acquisition, or addressing specific challenges, we are here to help.

• Inclusive Learning Environment:

Promova fosters an inclusive learning environment where everyone, regardless of their learning differences, can thrive. We celebrate the unique strengths and talents of dyslexic learners and provide the tools and support needed to unlock their language potential.

• Tailored Learning Paths:

Our platform allows learners to progress at their own pace. Dyslexic students can take their time to grasp language concepts without feeling rushed, ensuring a comfortable and effective learning experience.

At Promova, we believe that language learning should be an empowering and enriching journey for all. We are committed to removing barriers and providing dyslexic learners with the resources and support they need to succeed in mastering new languages.

Conclusion

Dyslexia brings unique learning needs but also cultivates remarkable strengths like out-of-the-box thinking, persistence, and creativity. By providing the proper support, including specialized fonts optimized for readability, we enable dyslexic individuals to flex these talents and thrive academically. As caring teachers, parents, neuropsychologists, designers, and developers, let us continue expanding awareness, accessibility, and celebration of neurodiversity.