Arnaud Gilbert 
Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects an estimated 10% to 20% of the population worldwide. It makes it difficult for individuals to read and interpret written language accurately and fluently. In recent years, there has been growing awareness about the challenges dyslexic individuals face when navigating the web, and there has been a concerted effort to make websites more dyslexia-friendly.
In this article, we will discuss some strategies that web developers and designers can use to create dyslexia-friendly websites.
Table of Contents
Use Dyslexia-friendly Fonts
Choosing a dyslexia-friendly font is crucial when designing a dyslexia-friendly website. Dyslexic individuals may find it challenging to read fonts that are too thin, too small, or have irregular shapes. Sans-serif fonts, such as Arial, Verdana, and Comic Sans, are generally easier to read than serif fonts, such as Times New Roman and Georgia. Also, dyslexia-friendly fonts like Open Dyslexic, Dyslexie, and Lexie Readable can significantly improve readability.
Keep the Layout Simple and Consistent
A cluttered and disorganized layout can make it difficult for dyslexic individuals to focus and understand the content of a website. You need to keep the layout simple and consistent throughout the site. For example, using a clear hierarchy of headings and subheadings, bullet points, and white space can help organize the information and make it easier to digest. This practice also helps screen reader users navigate through your content.
Use high-contrast Colors
Using high-contrast colors can improve readability for dyslexic individuals. Black text on a white background or vice versa is generally the easiest to read, but other high-contrast color combinations, such as black text on a pale yellow background can also work well. However, be careful not to use too many bright colors, as they can be overwhelming and make it difficult to focus on the content. You should also avoid colors that are not visible to individuals with color blindness, such as red text and a green background.
Provide Audio and Video Content
Dyslexic individuals may find it easier to understand information when presented in an audio or video format. Therefore, it is essential to provide audio and video content alongside written content whenever possible. For example, you can include audio descriptions of images or videos, provide transcripts of podcasts or videos, or create videos that explain complex concepts visually.
Offer Dyslexia-friendly Tools
There are several dyslexia-friendly tools that web developers and designers can include on their websites to improve accessibility for dyslexic individuals. For example, a dyslexia-friendly font toggle allows users to switch between standard fonts and dyslexia-friendly fonts with a single click. A text-to-speech tool can read text out loud, making it easier for dyslexic individuals to understand. A dyslexia-friendly ruler can help users keep their place when reading by highlighting the line they are reading.
Provide Clear and Concise Instructions
Dyslexic individuals may find it challenging to follow complex instructions or directions. Therefore, it is essential to provide clear and concise instructions that are easy to understand. For example, you can use simple language, break down instructions into small steps, and provide visual aids to help illustrate the steps.
Use Alt Text for Images
Using alternative text (alt text) for images is crucial for making websites accessible for dyslexic individuals. Alt text provides a brief description of an image, which can be read aloud by a screen reader. Providing descriptive and concise alt text for all images on the website, including decorative images and icons, is important not just for screen readers. Adding alt text to images also helps with your SEO as search engines can index your image and make them appear on Google Image Search.
Making Dyslexia-friendly Websites Shouldn’t be Difficult
Creating dyslexia-friendly websites is an essential step towards making the web more accessible for individuals with learning disabilities. While the challenge might seem daunting, you can gradually make your website dyslexia-friendly with just a few simple steps. By following the strategies discussed above, web developers and designers can create websites that are easier to read, navigate, and understand for everyone, including people with dyslexia.
