Civic design bibliography


Towards Universally Accessible Typography: A Review of Research on Dyslexia.

 Why the article is helpful

  • Summarizes the literature on typography for dyslexia

  • Provides suggestions for increasing readability for individuals with dyslexia

  • Discusses the potential for new guidelines for universally accessible typography

This article reviews a number of recent studies that imply that altering certain aspects of a text’s typography may make reading easier for individuals with dyslexia.

The author focuses on four main typographic characteristics:

  • letter spacing

  • font type

  • font size

  • line length.

Optimizing text for use by dyslexic readers may have the potential to improve readability for all users. Although additional research is needed in order to create specific typographic guidelines for dyslexic users, the author suggests that users be provided with greater control over the display of digital text to increase readability for everyone.

Additional details

The design recommendations in this article are:

  • Give users greater control over how text is displayed, allow them to change font size and line length

  • Increase space between letters to reduce the effects of lateral masking

  • Give users the choice between serif and sans-serif fonts

  • Left align larger sections of text

  • Use headings and other structural elements for easier scanning

  • Use plain language

  • Provide low color contrast options (such as off black on light grey)

Links

Jackson, J. E. (2014). Towards Universally Accessible Typography: A Review of Research on Dyslexia. Journal on Technology and Persons with Disabilities, 2, 155-165.

Jackson, J. E. (2014). “Towards Universally Accessible Typography: A Review of Dyslexia Research.” International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference. San Diego, CA. March 2014

McCarthy, J. E., & Swierenga, S. J. (2010). What we know about dyslexia and accessibility: A research review. Universal Access in the Information Society Journal, 9(2), 147-152.

Jackson, J. E. (2015). Dyslexia and Mobile Technology: Opportunities, Barriers, and Implications. Presented at the 30th Annual CSUN International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference, San Diego, CA, March 2015