An estimated one in 10 people have some degree of dyslexia in the UK and 700 million worldwide.
For many who have this learning difficulty, it can be challenging to read, write, and spell, though it can affect people differently.
Others may struggle to process and remember information, maintain focus, and recognise sounds that make up a word while matching the letters on a screen or page.
Being able to focus on lines of text for extended periods can also be difficult for those with dyslexia.
This can make it very challenging to understand long passages of text, leading to confusion and frustration.
Dyslexia can also manifest as visual distortions, where letters may jump around a page or screen.
Fortunately, there are a number of dyslexia-friendly fonts, colours, and software to help improve readability.
If you are struggling with reading certain fonts due to dyslexia, this guide is for you.
Today, we are going to discuss 12 dyslexia-friendly fonts and software for a more accessible and enjoyable reading experience.
Dyslexia Explained
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects around 6.3 million people in the UK, according to the British Dyslexia Association (BDA). This makes it the most common learning disability in the UK.
Reading, writing, and spelling are typically affected by dyslexia, but unlike many other learning disabilities, intelligence is not affected.
It is a lifelong neurodiverse condition that can present certain daily challenges. Nevertheless, support and help are available to improve writing and reading skills.
Many dyslexic individuals confuse the order of letters in words and struggle to read long sentences or paragraphs. According to the NHS, individuals may also “be confused by letters that look similar and write letters the wrong way round (such as “b” and “d”).”
Certain fonts can often impact those with dyslexia due to specific characteristics of letters and symbols.
Some features can make text more challenging to interpret. For instance, letter spacing, line length, font style, and the weight or thickness of the font can significantly impact readability.
Fortunately, there are fonts and software that can aid dyslexic individuals and enhance their reading experience.
What Computer Font Helps With Dyslexia?
Many people with dyslexia experience visual distortion when reading text in books or on screens.
This can make the words seemingly run together, making it very difficult to read.
More often than not, this occurs when there is not enough spacing between the letters or a font is significantly stylised.
Some of the best dyslexia-friendly fonts include:
- Arial
- Calibri
- Verdana
- Tahoma
- Comic Sans
- Century Gothic
- Trebuchet
- Open Sans
San serif fonts are generally recommended, as these are known to be easier to read due to being less crowded compared to other fonts.
Font size also matters. It is recommended to use a font size of 12 to 14 point (1–1.2em / 16 to 19 pixels), and headings should be at least 20 per cent larger than the main body of text.
Inter-word spacing should ideally be at least 3.5 times that of inter-letter spacing. Sometimes known as “tracking,” larger inter-letter or character spacing can improve readability by around 35%, according to the BDA. If letter spacing is too excessive, it can also negatively impact readability.
Larger line spacing can also help some individuals. For instance, the line spacing should be 150 per cent or 1.5 that of inter-word spacing.
Avoiding the use of capital letters and uppercase letters for continuous text can improve reading experiences, as lowercase letters tend to be easier to read.
In addition, underlining and italics should be avoided as this can make text seemingly run together, causing overcrowding. Bold letters can further help readability.
Dyslexia-Friendly Colours
Colours can also affect dyslexia. According to the BDA style guide, single-colour backgrounds can improve reading, as patterns or pictures can be too distracting.
Dark-coloured text on a light, but not white, background is preferred, with sufficient contrast levels between the text and background.
Cream or softer pastel tones are considered the most appropriate, but preferences can differ between individuals with dyslexia.
Colours such as pink or red should be avoided, as they are typically more difficult to read, particularly for those with colour blindness.
Dyslexia-Friendly Software
The digital workplace can act as a barrier to success for many dyslexic people.
This is why various examples of software and accommodations have been made to ensure dyslexic individuals are not at an unfair disadvantage.
Below is a list of the best apps and software to improve readability for those with dyslexia. Each one is tailored to help people of all ages improve their reading and writing experiences.
Speechify
Utilised by students of all ages worldwide, Speechify is available on iOS and Android and is an outstanding app boasting a text-to-speech feature that converts written content into spoken words.
This particular feature helps dyslexic users in listening rather than reading. The app also offers audiobooks, includes note-taking, provides customisable accessibility settings, and helps enhance reading comprehension with a focus on phonics.
Reading Rockets
Also available on iOS and Android devices, Reading Rockets is designed for young learners. The app has a wide range of resources, such as flashcards, interactive games, and word lists, with the goal of improving its users’ reading skills.
Ghotit Real Writer & Reader
Ghotit Real Writer & Reader is available on Windows, Mac, and iOS and features advanced spell-checking resources as well as word prediction and grammar correction tools. This aids dyslexic learners in overcoming spelling challenges.
Barton Reading & Spelling
This app is available on iOS and Android and is based on the famous Orton-Gillingham approach, a remedial reading instruction method originating in the early 20th century.
This essentially employs multisensory phonics techniques to enhance learning through the use of multiple sensory methods. Users specifically benefit from reading and spelling exercises.
See also: Employment rights for people with dyslexia.
Our Final Thoughts
Dyslexia affects people in different ways, impacting areas such as reading, writing, and spelling.
Fortunately, it has been studied for decades, and various techniques, methods, fonts, and software have been introduced to help improve reading skills and mitigate the challenges posed by dyslexia.
If you are looking to obtain a dyslexia diagnosis, you can contact us here or book an assessment.
