Exploring dyslexic readers’ perceptions of dyslexia-friendly Arabic typeface: a focus group study

Dyslexia-friendly Latin typefaces have been proliferating during the last decade with academic evidence that they improve the reading experience. However, a significant gap exists for Arabic readers with dyslexia, as there is a lack of dyslexia-friendly typefaces designed specifically for the Arabic script. The understanding of dyslexic readers’ perceptions regarding text written in dyslexia-friendly Arabic typefaces remains limited. This study addresses this gap by investigating participants’ perceptual responses to a prototype Arabic-accessible typeface, particularly in its visual aspect. Grounded in User-centred Design (UCD) principles and Maag’s Pillars of Accessible Typography (MPAT) framework, the research aims to assess the efficacy of a dyslexia-friendly Arabic typeface in alleviating visual distortions experienced by dyslexic readers while ensuring aesthetic appeal and user satisfaction. Utilizing focus group methodology, participants’ emotional engagement, legibility, and readability of the typeface were evaluated, thus informing the refinement of design criteria established in a previous study. By engaging dyslexic readers in the early stages of typeface design, this research contributes valuable insights into the complex requirements of designing inclusive Arabic typography, advancing accessibility efforts, and enhancing reading experiences for dyslexic individuals as well as encouraging inclusive design practices.