Typography and Inclusiveness with emphasis on people living with Dementia

As a trained designer, it is crucial that I take all audiences—including those who are disabled—into account when creating my designs. An approach to design known as inclusive design, often referred to as universal design, takes into account the requirements of persons with disabilities, including cognitive impairments like dementia. Physical alterations in the brain, such as damage to nerve cells, are frequently the cause of dementia. A serious reduction in cognitive ability that affects day-to-day functioning Memory loss, language, attention, perception, and problem-solving are a few examples. Designing for persons with dementia may benefit greatly from the use of typography, the art and method of arranging type to make written text clear, reading, and appealing when exhibited.

Legibility and readability are essential when designing for persons with dementia. Readability is the ease with which text can be understood, whereas legibility is the ease with which individual letters can be recognised. These may be accomplished by using typefaces that are easy to read and understand, as well as the proper size and spacing. For those with dementia, strong contrast between the text and backdrop is particularly crucial since it makes the material easier to read.

The selection of a typeface is one of the most important typographic factors when creating designs for dementia sufferers. According to research by the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB), persons with dementia often have trouble reading complicated typefaces and those with fine features. It is crucial that designers utilise simple fonts when creating designs for this audience. Since sans-serif typefaces, such Arial and Verdana, are typically seen to be more readable than serif fonts, like Times New Roman and Georgia, the RNIB advises using them. For those with dementia, utilising bigger font sizes—at least 16pt—can also make the material simpler to read.

The choice of recognisable typefaces is a further significant factor to take into account for persons with dementia. The ability to recognise a typeface can be influenced by a person's prior encounters, cultural background, education, and other factors. According to research from the University of Sussex, persons with dementia prefer typefaces that are more readable and familiar to them. For instance, selecting a typeface that is frequently seen in financial papers, such as Garamond, may make the text more accessible and understandable for a person with dementia who has a history in a certain subject, such as finance.

The use of colour can help designers make designs that are accessible to those with dementia. People with dementia may be able to read the text more easily if the text and backdrop have a high contrast. To get the best amount of contrast, the RNIB advises putting black text on a bright backdrop. 

The image below, for instance, demonstrates the distinction between a text with low contrast on a light backdrop and a text with strong contrast on a dark background.

The usage of other design elements, such as whitespace and layout, can significantly affect the legibility and reading of text for persons with dementia in addition to font selection and colour. For instance, adding lots of white space around text may help it stand out and be easier to see, and a straightforward, clean structure might make things clearer.

Here are list of 10 important guidelines to follow when creating content for persons with Dementia;

1. Use clear and simple fonts, such as sans-serif fonts, which are generally considered to be more legible than serif fonts. Arial and Verdana are examples of such fonts.

2. Use larger font sizes, at least 16pt, to make the text easier to read for people with dementia.

3. Use familiar fonts that the person with dementia may have a past experience, cultural background or education with to reduce confusion and make it easier for them to read and understand the text. Garamond is an example of a font commonly used in financial documents.

4. Use high contrast between the text and background, such as dark text on a light background, to make the text more visible for people with dementia.

5. Use ample whitespace around text to make it stand out and be more visible.

6. Use a simple, uncluttered layout to reduce confusion.

7. Avoid using too many different fonts or font styles in one design.

8. Avoid using small or light font weights, as they may be difficult to read for people with dementia.

9. Avoid using fonts with fine details or serifs, as they may be difficult to read for people with dementia.

10. Avoid using reversed type (white text on a black background), as it can be hard to read for people with dementia.

These are broad recommendations based on research and testing, therefore it's critical to keep in mind that it's always crucial to test and validate the design with the intended audience. Design professionals may then make sure that the layout is inclusive, readable, and catered to the requirements of persons with dementia.

In sum, typography may significantly contribute to the development of designs that are accessible to those who have dementia. Design professionals may build layouts that are easier for persons with dementia to read and understand by utilising simple, clear fonts, the right size and spacing, and strong contrast between the text and backdrop. Also, it might be simpler for persons with dementia to read and comprehend the content if familiar typefaces are used and other design features like whitespace and layout are taken into account. In order to make sure that my designs are inclusive for all audiences, including individuals with dementia, it is crucial for me as a professional graphic designer to take these considerations into account.

References:

• Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). (2018). Designing for dementia: a guide for inclusive design. RNIB.

• University of Sussex. (2017). Dementia and typography: a guide for inclusive design. University of Sussex.