Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects the ability to read, write, and spell. It affects about 5 to 10 percent of the population, making it a common condition. One of the challenges people with dyslexia face is difficulty reading text. Fortunately, researchers have found that certain fonts can make reading easier for people with dyslexia. In this blog post, we will explore what dyslexia fonts are, how they work, and some popular examples.
What are Dyslexia Fonts?
Dyslexia fonts are typefaces that are designed to make reading easier for people with dyslexia. These fonts have specific features that make them easier to read, such as larger spaces between letters, different letter shapes, and thicker strokes. The goal of dyslexia fonts is to make reading less challenging for people with dyslexia by reducing the number of errors and improving reading speed.
How do Dyslexia Fonts Work?
The most common dyslexia fonts are designed to help people with dyslexia by making the letters more distinctive. This can be achieved through various techniques, such as changing the shape of the letters, increasing the spacing between letters and words, or making the letters bolder. For example, the Dyslexie font has thicker and larger letter shapes, differentiating the letters that are easily confused, such as "b" and "d," "p" and "q," or "n" and "u." Similarly, the OpenDyslexic font adds extra weight to the bottom of each letter, which can make it easier for people with dyslexia to recognize letters.
Popular Dyslexia Fonts
There are many dyslexia fonts available, and some of the most popular ones include:
- OpenDyslexic - created by Abelardo Gonzalez, a computer programmer who is also dyslexic.
- Lexend - created by Bonnie Shaver-Troup, an Educational Therapist.
- Lexie Readable - created by Thomas Lester, a British graphic designer.
- Sassoon Primary - created by Rosemary Sassoon, a handwriting expert.
- Comic Sans - though not specifically designed for dyslexia, its unique shape and form have been shown to be helpful for some individuals with dyslexia.
All these fonts are freely available to use on Reader Mode browser extension or app.
How to use Dyslexia Fonts on Reader Mode
- Click on the "Settings" menu
- On the "Typography" section, select the any of the dyslexia font that you want to use
- Click save
Conclusion
Dyslexia fonts are an excellent tool for people with dyslexia. These fonts can help people with dyslexia read more easily by reducing the number of errors and improving reading speed. If you or someone you know has dyslexia, it might be worth trying out different dyslexia fonts to see which ones work best. While dyslexia fonts are not a cure for dyslexia, they can make reading more accessible and enjoyable.
