zwitschwerkJan 16, 2023
Hilda Bastian

This is fascinating! The Braille Institute has developed a font - free to download - that's designed to be clearer for readers with lower vision.

An example of one of the aspects of low legibility that they tackled attached.

It's named Atkinson Hyperlegible. Atkinson was the Institute's founder - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Robert_Atkinson

Here's where you can read about the font and download it: https://brailleinstitute.org/freefont

#Accessibility

Via @tombofnull

J. Robert Atkinson - Wikipedia

Jan 11, 2023 at 4:43amWeb
Show threadDDimetrodonJan 12, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull I wonder how this compares with fonts meant to be more legible for dyslexics. Better, worse, the same efficacy?
Show threadAlbert CardonaJan 13, 2023

@DD @hildabast @tombofnull I've noticed there aren't symmetrical letters, but the weights of a character's trace aren't differentiated quite as heavily as in fonts to facilitate reading for dyslexics.

An example, comparing #AtkinsonHyperlegible with #BaskervaldADFStd fonts:

Show threadAnn 🧡 (she/her)Jan 13, 2023

@albertcardona @DD @hildabast @tombofnull There's no peer reviewed evidence that the font characteristics of open dyslexic help fluent adult dyslexic readers and the evidence for dyslexic pre-reading kids shows no effect except perhaps a small one for learning letter shapes.

(Anecdotally, some dyslexic folks do prefer it.)

I think Atkinson Hyperlegible is a much better choice as it likely helps a much wider group of people.

Show threadNatalyaDJan 14, 2023

@agvbergin @albertcardona @DD @hildabast @tombofnull Ann Bergin has said what I wanted to about the dyslexie fonts. John Richardson OU academic wrote a whole open access book on text readability and fonts https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-90984-0

And agree Atkinson Hyperlegible doesn't make it harder for most people to read, whereas dyslexie and clones can (me for example).

The Legibility of Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces

This book provides a detailed and up-to-date account of the relevant literature on the legibility of different kinds of typefaces.

SpringerLink
Show threadAnn 🧡 (she/her)Jan 15, 2023
@NatalyaD I didn't know about this book, I'm very excited to read it.
Show threadNatalyaDJan 15, 2023

@agvbergin I came across it cos a friend of mine used to work with the author, who apparently died last year or something. I've read some of it, very interesting, very little about font-face and readability in the huge literature review. It's as much about size and things like line spacing.

I still think users should be able to fully reformat all text as they need as much as possible. EPUB is my friend.

Show threadAlbert CardonaJan 15, 2023

@NatalyaD @agvbergin @DD @hildabast @tombofnull

Thank you! Remarkably, this book on the legibility of fonts is open access and freely downloadable as an EPUB or PDF:

"The Legibility of Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces - Reading from Paper and Reading from Screens" by John T. E. Richardson

#fonts #design #openaccess #reading

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-90984-0

The Legibility of Serif and Sans Serif Typefaces

This book provides a detailed and up-to-date account of the relevant literature on the legibility of different kinds of typefaces.

SpringerLink
Show threadBotahamecJan 13, 2023
@albertcardona @DD @hildabast @tombofnull Thanks for the serif font recommendation, although I can definitely see that Atkinson Hyperlegible works better.
Show threadAlbert Semple, PoetFeb 11, 2023

@albertcardona @DD @hildabast @tombofnull

Even the zero is differentiated from capital O - beautiful.

Show threadHugo Slabbert ⚠️Mar 25

@albertcardona @DD @hildabast @tombofnull

❤️ AtkinsonHyperlegible

Show threadMontassar GhanmiJan 19, 2023

@DD @hildabast @tombofnull I'm trying to come up with a design for a dyslexic Arabic font and I'm disheartened with the progress so far, and how regular fonts can do the same job with some adjustments.

The design goals for the common dyslexic-friendly fonts are to differentiate similar characters (like bdpq) as much as possible and with extra thickness for the baseline (feets) and wider openings (counters).

But extra letter spacing (tracking) and line spacing (leading) is more effective.

Show threadMontassar GhanmiJan 19, 2023

@DD @hildabast @tombofnull

The second solution can be applied for more fonts, alongside high contrast solution and bigger text size. People affected with dyslexia can read serif fonts just as well as sans serif. It's a field that desperately needs more serious research: if there were general design practices that favor dyslexic readers that would provide them with far more options than what's currently suggested.

Show threadMontassar GhanmiJan 19, 2023

@DD @hildabast @tombofnull

This solution for lower vision diverges in many ways from commonly cited dyslexic fonts (but those are not necessarily what dyslexic people prefer) and embraces serifs for capital i, exaggerated asymmetric shapes yet they still feel familiar (the function is not just "serious", but also "recognizable"), differentiates commonly confused pairs too and can be tested with a gaussian blur filter (although words would blend with low tracking)...

I think it's better.

Show threadGwyn MoxhamJan 26, 2023
@DD @hildabast @tombofnull I have Irlen syndrome and possibly also Dyslexia. I had same question as you so just added this font to my kindle and so far I’m reading even faster than with OpenDyslexic. May be placebo effect but let’s see in time :)
Show threadHandlerJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull Last year, the company I was at made this their default font for all internal docs. It really made a difference.
Show threadAdam FieldsJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull @skinnylatte this is so nice!
Show threadMark GardnerJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull Do you think we could convince our optometrists to use it on their damn eye charts?
Show threadMark GardnerJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull Also: really need a monospace version for us aging coders
Show threadtrisk!Jan 13, 2023
@mjgardner @hildabast @tombofnull I've found that JetBrains Mono (which is FOSS) has similar shapes and considerations. However, it wasn't explicitly built with people with vision difficulties or impairments in mind. It's a suggestion but I don't know if it will fit your needs.
Show threadpepoluanJan 14, 2023
@terminallytrisk @mjgardner @hildabast @tombofnull
JetBrains Mono is very legible for writing code. It even has ligatures for people who prefer seeing ligature-symbols (e.g., "≠" instead of "!=")
Show threadpepoluanJan 14, 2023

@mjgardner @hildabast @tombofnull

Comic Mono !!

https://github.com/dtinth/comic-mono-font

GitHub - dtinth/comic-mono-font: A legible monospace font... the very typeface you’ve been trained to recognize since childhood

A legible monospace font... the very typeface you’ve been trained to recognize since childhood - dtinth/comic-mono-font

GitHub
Show threadGrant WoodJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull A fascinating side effect of this work is possibly a font that also solves one of social media's bigger headaches, which is look-alike spoof accounts. These accounts take advantage of the similarity in lower and upper case letters like l and I to create an account that pretends to be another at first glance. A font that emphasizes legibility for low vision readers seems like an interesting and simple solution to this problem as well.
Show threadIke Rosen 🏳️‍🌈🕎🗽✡️♿️Jan 13, 2023

@hildabast @tombofnull

I shared thus on Facn and got thanks from a IRL Friend who I never knew is legally blind.

So I am.passung her gratitude back to you .

Show threadTc001Jan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull Here is a video from one of the designers about the process! Definitely worth a watch:
youtu.be/wjE5eHLICzc
Hyperlegible: an approach to accessible type design

YouTube
Show threadSally StrangeJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull This would make it harder for jerks to spoof people's handles too
Show threadSylvJan 13, 2023
@hildabast I'm quite heavily myopic, and this was the easiest I ever had to read something without my glasses, so it seems like it really works @tombofnull
Show threadMad Sci ∴Jan 13, 2023

@hildabast @tombofnull @ShaulaEvans

This font will be excellent for representing passwords clearly! The amount of time I’ve lost deciphering passwords from screenshots…

Show threadMurfJan 13, 2023
@MadSci @hildabast @tombofnull @ShaulaEvans yes! For passwords it'd be brilliant 👏
Show threadNgati Pakeha KuiaJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull My eldest daughter is Low Vision. I’ve sent her the link. Thank you.
Show threadPJ "Vote Green" CoffeyJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull ooh nice.
Show threadShevaunJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull I misunderstood the post and thought the blurred version was the font. Strangely with my myopia and astigmatism the blurred font is more legible! I wonder why that is?
Show threadHilda BastianJan 13, 2023
@shevyf @tombofnull I don't know either.
Show threadAlexander RindJan 13, 2023

@hildabast @tombofnull

I'm looking forward to giving it a trial in our web apps for social workers.

btw. for selfhosted webfont there is a npm package at https://www.npmjs.com/package/@fontsource/atkinson-hyperlegible

@fontsource/atkinson-hyperlegible

Self-host the Atkinson Hyperlegible font in a neatly bundled NPM package.. Latest version: 4.5.11, last published: 5 days ago. Start using @fontsource/atkinson-hyperlegible in your project by running `npm i @fontsource/atkinson-hyperlegible`. There is 1 other project in the npm registry using @fontsource/atkinson-hyperlegible.

npm
Show threadJeremi M Gosney Jan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull this is a super pleasant font, both professional and very comfortable on the eyes. I wonder who we need to talk with to ask for a fixed width variant
Show threadjimmygolitelyJan 13, 2023

@hildabast @tombofnull There is also a font designed to be clearer to read for people with dislexia:

https://www.dyslexiefont.com/en/typeface/

Dyslexie Font - Better reading for everybody

A unique typeface that prevents 3D movements and innovative tools to read, learn and work with more ease – anytime and anywhere. Want to try Dyslexie Font

Show threadFiXatoJan 13, 2023
@jimmygolitely there's also #OpenDyslexic: https://opendyslexic.org/ which doesn't come with a price tag.
@hildabast @tombofnull
OpenDyslexic

OpenDyslexic is a typeface designed against some common symptoms of dyslexia.

Show threadMatthieu Weber 🇫🇷/🇫🇮Jan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull AFAICT, this is not the first such font, see https://www.fontspace.com/tiresias-infofont-font-f44542 thet exists since at least 2012 (the Finnish public TV has been using it for subtitles since then).
Tiresias Infofont Font | The Royal National Institute for the Blind | FontSpace

Free download of Tiresias Infofont Font Family with 6 styles. Released in 2000 by The Royal National Institute for the Blind and licensed for personal and commercial-use. Click now to create a custom image with your own words that you can download.

fontspace
Show threadpatproJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull
@annso just posted a link to a very nice video about that font: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjE5eHLICzc
Hyperlegible: an approach to accessible type design

YouTube
Show threadChristof Damian 💙💛Jan 13, 2023
@hildabast
I want this on my mobile
@tombofnull
Show threadskuaJan 15, 2023

@cdamian @hildabast @tombofnull

Me too. Android.
A browser extension?

#atkinsonhyperlegible
#AtkinsonHyperlegible

Show threadwuffelJan 13, 2023

@hildabast @tombofnull

Die Schrift ist grossartig, ein echter Lesebeschleuniger!
👍

Show threadfd0Jan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull time to integrate with #LaTeX😊
Show threadBSDTVJan 13, 2023

@hildabast @tombofnull @phessler

The font is available on #FreeBSD

https://www.freshports.org/x11-fonts/atkinson-hyperlegible/

Such a resource is a true gift to the world.

FreshPorts -- x11-fonts/atkinson-hyperlegible: Braille Institute font for low vision readers

Atkinson Hyperlegible font is named after Braille Institute founder, J. Robert Atkinson. What makes it different from traditional typography design is that it focuses on letterform distinction to increase character recognition, ultimately improving readability.

Show threadMatt BirchlerJan 13, 2023
@hildabast I love this font 😁 Been using it for a bit on my blog and I think it looks great too.
Show threadPaulJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull And it looks cool too!
Show threadllewellyJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull even though I have the privilege of being able to read 11pt fonts at arm's length, the clear distinctions shown in examples like B8 and 1IiL examples are things I wish all fonts were required to do. Especially fonts used for phones and computers; any time you need to read filenames, urls, wifi card numbers, code, etc, etc, those distinctions are extremely important.
Show threadBjorn Toft MadsenJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull oooh, love a new font that focus on legibility. A monospaced version for code would be even more awesome!
Show threaddemi7en 🎗🇪🇺Jan 13, 2023

@hildabast @tombofnull

... for discovery since *no one* else seems to have bothered (beyond Hilda's initial effort).

#Atkinson #Hyperlegible #Fonts #legibility #BrailleInstitute #visionimpairment #dyslexia

Show threadDanielJan 13, 2023
@hildabast Thanks for sharing, this is sick!
Show threadnachshon_rJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull 😮 😮😮
Show threadCamilo Bravo Jan 13, 2023
@hildabast that's amazing! it took me a while to realize that, obviously, they're using it on their website. It looks great in all sizes.
Show threadBotahamecJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull I recently convinced my Feminist Theory group to write all of our documents in Atkinson Hyperlegible. It looks great even if you're not hard of sight.
Show threadBraw ☕🏳️‍🌈Jan 13, 2023
@hildabast shame it does not support any non-latin characters.
@tombofnull
Show threadDarthdzlJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull This would definitely have been helpful to me before I got one of my cataracts fixed. I'm sure it'll be helpful to lots of people with low vision.
Show threadllatan is outta hereJan 13, 2023

@hildabast @tombofnull

All I need to know is that it has the proper zero.

Show threadRobinDeVohJan 13, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull I didn't even realize at first their entire website seems to be using it. It's not just useful, it's actually a pretty nice looking font as well
Show threadSatadru PramanikJan 13, 2023

@hildabast @tombofnull

People need to know how to set this as a default font for web content on their devices...

Show threadngoomie is moving!Jan 14, 2023
@hildabast oh, lovely! i'm not really low-vision but i do have astigmatism that sometimes makes it hard to read text at certain sizes, looks like it should be helpful!
it's also just... very pretty 
Show threadj'ai écouté 📢👂Jan 14, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull
Pretty and usefull to all.
#mastodon #instances #admin, #dev and apps like @Tusky might use it by default as it seems to be licensed under the SIL Open Font License
Show threadJon A. CruzJan 14, 2023
@hildabast @tombofnull hmmm... Was going to check it out, but the license won't display on my phone (latest Android). It just gets a pop-up animation then nothing.