New Typeface - Dyslexie

Hi all,

In June of 2013, a Dutch graphic designer named Christian Boer created a brand new typeface which is thought to allow easier recognition of letters than other fonts for people with Dyslexia.  Letters such as "m" and "n;"  "d" and "p,"  and  "b" and " q"  often cause confusion for the reader with Dyslexia.   The Dyslexie font makes each letter more distinct by creating a more pronounced base for "d,"  a longer stem at the top for "h," a slant for "j," and other slight changes.  This results in less confusion and more effective reading.

The developer, a person with Dyslexia himself,  originally presented the font during a TED talk in 2011.  It can be used to browse the web, print documents, and type.   Dyslexie is now being used in companies, such as Citibank, Nintendo, and Pixar.

Dyslexie can be downloaded for free at http://www.dyslexiefont.com/en/  

 

Has anyone tried this new font?

Rochelle Kenyon, SME

 

Comments

I haven't tried the font myself, other than to see how it looks, but I know someone who works at a school for people with learning disabilities who is more familiar with it.  They added the font to their computers to see if it helps the students.  As you might expect, some students like it and others can't stand it.  So it appears to be a useful tool for some students with dyslexia, but by no means any kind of panacea.  Like every tool and strategy, the effectiveness depends on the individual.  But it's a good addition to have on hand for those students who find it helpful!

Hi Patti,

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Dyslexie font.   You are right in saying that no matter what the technique or strategy we use, not all students will like the approach or be successful with it.  The nice thing is that it can be another tool for our "tool kits."

I remember learning about APHont from you.   APHont™ (pronounced Ay'-font), was developed by the American Printing House for the Blind, specifically for low vision readers. APHont embodies characteristics that have been shown to enhance reading speed, comprehension, and comfort for large print users.  To qualify for free download,  one must certify use for or by a person with a visual impairment before downloading.  The APHont Suite consists of Regular, Bold, Italic, and Italic Bold. 

Some of the features of APHont include:

  • More even spacing between letters.
  • Higher crossbars.
  • No serifs.
  • Wider letters.
  • Heavier letters.
  • Underslung "j" and "q".
  • Letters more open.
  • Larger punctuation marks.

Qualified users can download APHont at http://www.aph.org/products/aphont//

Has anyone used APHont personally or for a student?

Rochelle Kenyon, SME