Sunday, February 8, 2015

Helping Students With Learning Disabilities



http://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/blogs/designer-recreates-alphabet-to-help-dyslexics-read
This past week I was perusing the internet to find some fun activities for a few of the children that I tutor, and came across an incredibly interesting article. The article is about a Dutch graphic designer who created a new typeface called "Dyslexie". This new font hopes to help individuals (like himself) with dyslexia. If you are interested, this is a great video fully explaining the scope of the font, and how it works for individuals with dyslexia. http://vimeo.com/85075132
http://themighty.com/2014/11/this-man-invented-a-font-to-help-people-with-dyslexia-read/
As you can see above, the way that the "p", "b" and "d" are created are slightly different; however, for an individual with dyslexia they can make a huge difference in the way that one can read. Furthermore, in having a new accessible typeface students will hopefully develop a higher sense of confidence and self esteem in regards to their reading and academic abilities.
              To me, I think that this new design really seems to fall into the realm of 21st Century educational skills as well as 21st Century advances. I think that it is incredible, that we live in a world where something as simple as a font size can so drastically change the life of a student or person with dyslexia. As we often discuss in education classes, making accommodations for students (while not always easy) is so incredibly beneficial to their own education and outlook on education. With so many new technologies, and understandings in terms of learning disabilities and other exceptionalities this font is just one example of the strides being made towards an inclusive and beneficial system of schooling for all.

The full article can be found on;
http://themighty.com/2014/11/this-man-invented-a-font-to-help-people-with-dyslexia-read/