A big part of accommodating dyslexic employees is learning how to write and format your text to make it accessible and easy to read.
Benefits of using adapted language
Ensuring that dyslexic employees have access to adapted text is essential for creating an inclusive and productive workplace. Dyslexia can make reading dense and complex text challenging, leading to frustration and slower processing. By using dyslexia-friendly fonts, clear formatting, and simple language, companies can significantly improve readability and comprehension. This not only helps employees work more efficiently but also reduces mental fatigue and stress, allowing them to focus on their tasks without unnecessary barriers.
Providing accessible text also fosters better communication, strengthens collaboration, and enhances overall workplace satisfaction. When employees feel supported with tools that meet their needs, they are more engaged, motivated, and likely to stay with the company long-term. By adapting text for dyslexic employees, businesses promote diversity and ensure that all team members can contribute to their full potential.
How to do it?
Adapting the text for neurodivergent employees can seem complicated at first, but it is actually quite simple. Here are 5 basic rules to implement if you want to make written communication within your company more accessible:
- Use adapted fonts
It is recommended to use simple, sans serif fonts such as Arial, Century Gothic, Calibri, or fonts made for dyslexic people, i.e. OpenDys. The font size should be between 12 and 14 to make the letters big enough to read comfortably.
- Adapt your spacing.
For enhanced readability, using a spacing of at least 1,5 is beneficial. It makes the text less dense and easier to read quickly.
- Use short paragraphs and clear sentences.
The text should be broken down into smaller parts. It can also be divided into thematic sections with descriptive headlines if needed. The sentences should be short and simple to avoid mistakes and confusion.
- Use bold to mark the most critical information.
If you want to put pressure on specific points, it is best to use bolded text. It is very effective in drawing attention, and it looks clearer than when underlined or written in cursive.
- Use simple language and avoid unnecessary jargon.
Especially when onboarding new employees, it is essential to use vocabulary that they will understand. If you use acronyms, make sure that their meaning is explained in the text. Whenever possible, choose simple wording over professional jargon.
Providing the materials in plain language is only a part of what an employer can do to make their company more accessible for neurodivergent employees. If you want to learn more about how you can help, we invite you to check out the Employer’s Guide, which will soon be available on the project’s website. We invite you to stay up to date with new publications and to follow the profiles of project partners to learn more.
References
Experience, W. L. in R.-B. U. (n.d.). Plain Language Is for Everyone, Even Experts. Nielsen Norman Group. Retrieved 11 July 2024, from https://www.nngroup.com/articles/plain-language-experts/
Facile à lire | Handicap Belgium. (n.d.). Retrieved 26 April 2024, from https://handicap.belgium.be/fr/facile-a-lire
FAcile à Lire et à Comprendre. (n.d.). Falc.be. Retrieved 26 April 2024, from https://www.falc.be/
plainlanguage.gov | Federal plain language guidelines. (n.d.). Retrieved 11 July 2024, from https://www.plainlanguage.gov/guidelines/
