Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a language processing disorder frequently described as a reading disorder. It is the most common learning disability around the world, and up to 20% of the world population may have some degree of symptoms.
Design considerations
When we design for people with dyslexia, we need to:
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- Use images and diagrams to support text
- Align text to the left and keep a consistent layout
- Consider producing materials in other formats (for example, audio and video)
- Keep content short, clear, and simple
- Let users change the contrast between the background and the text
We need to avoid:
- Using large blocks of heavy text
- Underlining words, using italics, or writing in all capitals
- Forcing users to remember things from previous pages. (Give reminders and prompts instead)
- Relying on accurate spelling. (Use autocorrect or provide suggestions instead.)
- Putting too much information in one place.
What people with dyslexia have to say about it
Designer Daniel Britton creates font to show what it's like to have dyslexia by James Bullen on Stuff describes a font that Daniel Britton, a dyslexic designer, created to try to help others empathize with how dyslexia alters the ability to read. The article also includes paragraphs written in the font.
Research
The Advantages of Dyslexia by Matthew H. Schneps on Scientific American. Tagline is "With reading difficulties can come other cognitive strengths" and that pretty much sums up the article.
Design Tips & Guidelines
Typography
Good Fonts for Dyslexia - An Experimental Study by Abigail Marshall at Dyslexia the Gift Blog
Text-to-speech
This software guy accidentally designed an app that is saving my dyslexic son by Jenn Choi on Quartz
Additional resources
- [https://themighty.com/2017/05/dyslexia-is-not-just-a-reading-disability/ Dyslexia is not just a reading disability[ by Leslie Templeton on The Mighty
- Karwai Pun's Dos and Don'ts on designing for accessibility at Accessibility.blog.gov.uk and the accompanying poster for Dyslexia
