Reading performance of dyslexics with a special font and a colored background

This research examined if the reading performance of dyslexics and non-dyslexics was positively affected by the adaptation of background color and font. Using a light yellow background could have a positive influence on reading performance in comparison with a white background. Also, the font Dyslexie was compared with the font Arial. According to the magnocellular theory the adaptation of these visual elements can improve the reading performance of dyslexics and non-dyslexics. Measurements of reading performance were speed and accuracy. Twenty-two dyslexics and forty-two non-dyslexics with a lower and higher reading level participated in this study. Every child read four different texts with the following color-font combination: Yellow-Dyslexie, White-Dyslexie, Yellow-Arial and White-Arial. For reading accuracy an interaction was found of the color yellow and the font Dyslexie for dyslexics with a lower reading level. Findings also showed a positive main effect of the font Dyslexie with the reading accuracy for the total group of dyslexics and for dyslexics with a lower reading level. Further research is needed to fully explore the role of background color and level of prior knowledge between dyslexics with a lower and higher reading level and the influence on reading performance. Practical implication could be the implementation of the color yellow and the font Dyslexie for dyslexics with a lower reading level.

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