HOW TO MAKE YOUR TEXT MORE ACCESSIBLE - DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/londonmatt/30637426472


Dyslexia Awareness Month is celebrated each October. It is estimated that dyslexia affects approximately 1 out of 10 people worldwide. 

It is high time we created an inclusive and positive neurodiverse environment. Here are some key strategies to make your texts more accessible for EVERYONE.


How to make your text more accessible

1. Font and Text Formatting

  • Fonts: Fonts sans serif like Arial, Verdana, Tahoma, or OpenDyslexic are easier to read.

  • Avoid Italics and All-Caps: Italicized or CAPITALISED text can be difficult to read.

  • Use Bold for Emphasis: Rather than italics or underlining, bold can help highlight important points.

  • Adequate Font Size: Use a minimum of 12-14pt.

2. Line Spacing and Paragraphing

  • Use 1.5 or Double Spacing: Adequate spacing between lines helps reduce visual clutter.

  • Short Paragraphs: Break text into smaller paragraphs.

  • Avoid Justified Text: Left-aligned text with a ragged right edge is easier to follow.

3. Colour Contrast

  • High Contrast: Use high-contrast colour combinations, like black text on a white background or black text on pastel colours.

4. Clear Layout and Structure

  • Consistent and Clear Layout: Maintain the same layout and avoid multiple columns.

  • Headings and Subheadings: Use clear headings to break down the text.

  • Bullet Points and Lists: Organise content using lists to make it easier to scan.

5. Simple and Clear Language

  • Plain Language: Avoid complex sentence structures.

  • Short Sentences: Use concise, direct sentences. Full stop. 


AFTER READING, TAKE THIS QUIZ:





ASSIGNMENT:

Copy and paste the following text on a Word document and try to improve its readability.

Celebrity Spotlight: Salma Hayek Owns Her Dyslexia

When Salma Hayek arrived in Los Angeles from Mexico at age 25, she could barely read a street sign. She spoke almost no English. And having struggled with dyslexia her whole life, she knew that learning a new language would be a challenge.
But Hayek isn’t one to back down from challenges. The acclaimed actress, producer, and director rose above her learning differences and the language barrier. Like many other famous people with learning and thinking differences, she looked beyond her weaknesses and pursued her passion.
Today, Hayek is a megastar, famous for her talents in film and TV. She’s also a passionate champion for the many causes she supports. That includes global health care, domestic violence prevention and environmental issues. And Hayek has worked to create more opportunities for Latinas in Hollywood.





If you want to learn more about dyslexia, watch this video: 

Dyslexia is Rubbish and Awesome – Dyslexia Awareness Week Presentation

0 comments