Monica Hutama The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are currently at least 2.2 billion people with near or distance vision impairment, and in almost half of the cases, the vision impairment could have been prevented or are left unaddressed. This presentation will explore the importance of typography as a tool to support the reading experience for the visually impaired, and accordingly, how it can be used to enhance readability and legibility for individuals with vision impairments.
Throughout the centuries, typography has evolved substantially, yet narrowly at the same time. The late-20th-century digitization of typography resulted in type designs that are diverse and experimental, and thus can also serve as a form of the designer’s self-expression. As there is an astonishing amount of typefaces already available, why do we even need to think of more? While typefaces are often designed with an audience, certain publication, or branding in mind; it has been pointed out by the infamous Gerard Unger that legibility would just be retained and not improved beyond the usual standards.
Although a volume of research has been done for legibility and some for low-vision readers, there is still a substantial amount to be found out about how typography can aid in legibility and readability for the visually impaired, and not only the low-vision readers. How can we as designers, researchers, typographers, and type designers, work closely with scientists to research, implement, and shape type towards a future with increased accessibility? By showcasing major findings in the field of type research and how they could potentially affect the visually impaired, along with personal experience with severe myopia as a designer, this discourse aims to encourage further research and the application of type for vision impairments in the near future.