Dyslexie is one of several free fonts created specifically to ease the burden of reading with dyslexia. If there is such thing as a dyslexic-friendly font however, it has yet to be created.
All so-called dyslexic friendly fonts have similar elements: uneven stick and tail lengths, dark bases, and large openings for letters with circular centers. The idea is that the unevenness that would drive a non-dyslexic person crazy is just what a dyslexic person needs to visually separate one letter from the other.
An io9.com article explores one of these fonts in particular: Dyslexie. Like a handful of so-called dyslexic-friendly fonts that came before it, there has been no scientific proof that Dyslexie actually works. In fact, studies have found no statistical difference between dyslexics reading a passage in Ariel versus Dyslexie.
In general, findings such as these, that undermine the effect of a product promising to better our lives, lead to upset. Individuals accuse the company of exploiting a subgroup of people or of being interested only in making a profit. Such accusations are often founded on truth.
Dyslexie is victim to those kind of accusations. In response to io9.com's inquiries, Dyslexie had this to say:
"The Dyslexie font is made as a graduation project in 2008 done by Christian Boer. After his graduation he thought only he and the people giving feedback on his design would use the font. But overloaded by positive reactions of so many people with dyslexia we continued to provide the Dyslexie font and this is where it is today."
The Dyslexie representative later points out that, while admittedly the evidence supporting the font is lacking, there is certainly no negative impact on dyslexics who use it.
The company does sell Dyslexie to schools and companies upon request, but the font remains free for individuals. Despite the lack of scientific evidence, there are dyslexics who are grateful that the font exists and that they can get it for free.
So, even if there is no official proof, the font is harming no one and benefiting some. Maybe we should let Dyslexie be.
Contact us if you're looking for a free font that works for you, or if you have created a font that you would like to share.
