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Typography and Design

The design of texts in Easy Language plays a crucial role in readability and understanding, especially for people with reading difficulties or cognitive impairments. Here are some key principles to consider in design:

Reader-Friendly Formatting

A reader-friendly format significantly contributes to the comprehensibility of texts in Easy Language:

  • Fonts: Use clear, easy-to-read sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica. Sans-serif fonts are easier to read for many people as they offer less visual distraction and present letters more clearly.
  • Font Size: Ensure that the font size is large enough. A minimum size of 16pt is recommended to ensure the text is easily readable. Larger font sizes are particularly helpful for people with visual impairments.
  • Line Spacing: Use generous line spacing (at least 1.5 lines) to enhance readability. Greater line spacing prevents lines from being too close together, making the text easier to read.

Paragraphs and Headings

The structure of the text is crucial for understanding:

  • Structured Texts: Divide the text into clearly defined paragraphs. Each paragraph should contain only one main piece of information. This helps readers process the text in manageable chunks.
  • Subheadings: Use frequent subheadings to structure the text and help readers grasp the content more easily. Headings should be concise and descriptive so that readers immediately understand the topic of the following section.

Contrast and Colors

High contrast and appropriate color choices are essential for readability:

  • High Contrast: Ensure high contrast between text and background. Black on white is the most readable. Avoid colored backgrounds that could reduce contrast and always ensure the text remains clearly visible.
  • Avoid Bright Colors: Bright red, green, or other intense colors can be hard to read and should be avoided. Use subtle colors that do not distract or impair readability.
  • Colors for Emphasis: Use colors sparingly and only to emphasize important information without overwhelming the text. Colors can be useful for highlighting specific points but should not dominate the entire text.

Additional Measures

Additional measures can further improve readability and understanding:

  • Simple Layout: Use clear single-column layouts. Multi-column layouts can be confusing and should be avoided.
  • Line Breaks: Insert a line break after each sentence to avoid long paragraphs. This increases readability and helps readers process the text in small, easily digestible units.
  • Left Alignment: Align text to the left whenever possible. Justified text can create uneven spaces between words, making it harder to read.
  • Typography: Use easily readable fonts. Avoid italic text as it is harder to read. Ensure the font size is at least 16pt to maintain readability.

By following these principles, texts in Easy Language can be designed to be more accessible and easier to understand for all readers.