Heather Arranie 
Precisely, what is dyslexia, and how can professionals across industries, from teachers to product developers, facilitate better experiences for dyslexic readers?
Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how one’s brain processes text. These phonological issues are also compounded by the visual stress of dyslexia.
It’s not uncommon for readers with dyslexia to experience text instability like swirling or blurred letters. Letter reversals, eye tracking issues, and light sensitivity are also typical of the condition, which can worsen visual fatigue and contribute to headaches.
Here are thirteen strategies for creating more dyslexia-friendly text.
1. Choose Appropriate Fonts for Dyslexic Readers
Educators and product developers can address dyslexia reading challenges by using more properly spaced fonts in written materials, like Helvetica, Arial, and Verdana. Immediately, you’ll notice there’s more spacing between the letters, which puts less visual stress on the reader.
There are also specialized fonts designed for readers with dyslexia, notably, OpenDyslexic, which is a must for educators with dyslexic students.
2. Adjust Line Height and Spacing
Professionals can ease or eliminate visual crowding for readers by adjusting text line heights to at least 1.5x. Visual crowding can cause readers with dyslexia to fixate on the white spaces between lines. This adjustment creates enough extra space to improve eye tracking.
3. Always Use Left-Aligned Text
Written documents should always be left-aligned for dyslexic readers, promoting consistent focus throughout the document. Justified text creates uneven gaps between words, worsening visual disturbances and distractions.
4. Adjust Document Color Contrast
Black text on a white background can be too harsh for dyslexic readers’ eyes, who are already dealing with multiple visual text disturbances. Instead, use a dyslexia-friendly font (in gray) against a cream-colored background. These tricks will help reduce distracting glare.
5. Don’t Use Italics or All-Caps
While italicized text is used to emphasize an important word or phrase, it can cause blurring. Instead, use bolding in dyslexia-friendly documents.
The same applies to writing in all caps. Even when writing dialogue, opt for bolding over all-caps.
6. Use Text-to-Speech (TTS)
Educators are encouraged to integrate more assistive technology into the classroom to help dyslexic students. Employers can also create more neuro-inclusive workplaces with these technologies, as well.
Text-to-speech (TTS) is one such example. TTS applications read digital text documents aloud for quicker comprehension and word recognition.
7. Integrate Audiobooks
If dyslexic readers respond positively to TTS, integrate more audiobooks in curriculum or booklists to promote more positive reading experiences. Audiobook apps are also available, allowing readers to turn their own smartphones into audiobooks.
8. Use Dyslexia-Friendly Browser Extensions
Various browser extensions can help internet users with dyslexia browse and read web material with more ease. Screen shaders adjust screen color temperatures to reduce eye strain. There are also extensions that change webpage fonts.
9. Adjust Device Accessibility Settings
Smartphone accessibility settings allow users to adjust mobile webpage readability. Users can increase (or change) fonts, adjust color schemes, and change layouts to create a better reading experience.
10. Invest in Blue Blocker Glasses
Blue blocker glasses may possibly decrease eye strain by eliminating blue light from computer screens, smartphones, and tablets, according to Healthline. As such, blue blockers may be able to relieve some of the fatigue experienced by dyslexic readers.
11. Take Visual Breaks
Since reading with dyslexia can require extra (or even intense) concentration, it’s important to take breaks in between assignments or book chapters to prevent burnout from cognitive fatigue. Taking 5, 10, or 20-minute breaks can make a difference.
12. Install Proper Lighting
Simple lighting adjustments can create more dyslexia-friendly reading environments. Position desks and reading areas away from bright lamps or use softer light bulbs in warmer color temperatures.
13. Reading Organization Strategies
Dyslexic readers, educators, and content developers can make reading easier by breaking down information into bullet points and digestible blocks of text. This can prevent the need to re-read information multiple times.
Using a reading ruler or a comparable browser extension can help reduce page noise, allowing readers to focus on each line from start to finish.
Promote More Positive Reading Experience
With the right combination of reading strategies, content design, and tools, industry professionals, from educators to developers, can create more inclusive reading experiences for individuals with dyslexia.
Most of these strategies can be implemented right away, whether it’s a lighting adjustment, font change, TTS integration, or a pair of blue blockers. Stay up to date on the latest reading tools and programs to discover even more solutions.
