There are several fonts that make it easier for people with dyslexia to read texts. Examples are Lexia Readable, Dyslexie and the Open Source variant OpenDyslexic.
Open Dyslexic
In 2004, Keith Bates developed the Lexia Readable font. The font is free for personal use as well as for schools. For more information, see https://www.k-type.com/fonts/lexie-readable/.
Christian Boer from the Netherlands developed the Dyslexia font in 2008; you can read more and find information about prices here: https://www.dyslexiefont.com/en/order/.
A free alternative, OpenDyslexic, was published in 2011 by Abelardo Gonzales. You can download it here: https://gumroad.com/l/OpenDyslexic/.
OpenDyslexic is easiest to use because it is free and has an Open Source license.
The fonts have been designed in a way that makes it easier for people with dyslexia to take in texts. The bodies of the letters are heavier on the underside so that it helps readers not to rotate them inside their head.
All developers have focused on the shapes and have worked to ensure that the letters are not similar to each other, which is otherwise so easy with e.g. d, p, q, b.
They have also worked to increase the difference between v and w, as well as o and c.
As the fonts have been in use, research is also done in the field. So far it can not be concluded that the font is demonstrably useful; In his main thesis in 2010, Renske de Leeuw could not conclude anything other than that more research is needed.
Use of the font in the browser
You can install a browser plugin, The Dyslexicator, which sets all fonts to Open Dyslexic.
Feel free to read more about how you can use it yourself here: https://dyslexic.top/dyslexicator/.
Are you dyslexic?
If you are wondering if you are dyslexic, you can check these questions:
| Is your reading speed low? | |
| Was it difficult to learn how to read? | |
| Do you often need to read something several times before it becomes understandable? | |
| Is it uncomfortable to read aloud? | |
| Do you forget letters, change them, or add letters when reading or writing? | |
| Do you see that you often still have spelling mistakes, even after spell checking? | |
| Is it difficult to pronounce unusual compound words when reading? | |
| Do you prefer to read magazines or short posts, instead of books and novels? | |
| Is it extremely difficult to learn a foreign language? | |
| Do you avoid work or courses that require a lot of reading? |
If you have ticked more than 7 of the questions, you may be dyslexic.
In that case, or if you are unsure, get this checked.