Fonts and typefaces most accepted by dyslexics

The choice of fonts and typefaces plays a crucial role in the accessibility and readability of texts, especially for people with dyslexia.

In this session, we will explore the fonts most accepted by those who face reading challenges, highlighting how typographic design can make a difference in the reading and comprehension experience for people with dyslexia.

The Influence of Typography on the Reading Experience

• Impact on Comprehension: Typography has a significant impact on the way people with dyslexia perceive and understand written content. Choosing the right fonts can make it easier to identify characters and words, improving reading fluency.

• Eye Strain and Stress: Inappropriate fonts can cause eye strain and stress, negatively affecting the willingness and motivation to read. It is essential to select fonts that reduce the cognitive and visual load.

Recommended Font Types for Dyslexics

• Sans Serif: Sans serif fonts are generally preferred for their simplicity and lack of embellishments at the ends of characters. This lack of embellishments makes it easier to distinguish between letters and improves readability for people with dyslexia.

• OpenDyslexic: OpenDyslexic is a font designed specifically for dyslexics. Characterized by heavy letters at the bottom, it aims to reduce confusion between similarly shaped letters and improve visual stability.

• Dyslexie: Another font designed for dyslexics, Dyslexie, features unique characters with adjustments in shape and space. It has been shown to improve reading accuracy and speed in some studies.

Key Features of Accepted Fonts

• Contrast: Fonts with high contrast between text and background are preferable. This makes it easier to distinguish between letters and words, providing a clearer reading experience for people with dyslexia.

• Leading: Generous spacing between letters and lines helps to reduce visual confusion. Fonts with larger character spacing offer better visual separation, making it easier to identify individual letters.

• Increased x-height: Increasing the x-height (the height of lowercase letters without counting ascenders and descenders) improves readability by providing more space for characters such as “p,” “q,” and “g,” avoiding overlapping.

Specific Considerations for Children with Dyslexia

• Fonts Specific to Children: When choosing fonts for children with dyslexia, it is crucial to select typefaces that are friendly and visually appealing. Fonts such as Comic Sans and Arial are often preferred for their simplicity and clarity.

• Colors and Contrast: In addition to typography, color and contrast are also important. Using colors that contrast adequately with the background contributes to better visibility of the words.

The Importance of Font Size

• Legibility and Size: Font size plays a key role in legibility. Larger fonts can make reading easier for people with dyslexia, reducing eye strain and allowing for better character identification.

• Size Adaptability: The ability to adjust the font size according to individual preferences is essential. People with dyslexia can benefit from customizing the font size according to their specific needs in different contexts.

Emerging Trends in Typographic Design for Dyslexics

• Continuous Development: Growing awareness of the needs of people with dyslexia has led to continuous development in typographic design. Specific typefaces for dyslexics continue to be developed and refined to improve the reading experience.

• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Typeface designers,