S A Perera, J M Gill
Royal National Institute for the Blind, Scientific Research Unit, London, United Kingdom
Background of the study:
The design of publications in large print for people with low vision is dependent on the specific target audience. Most large print books in the UK are purchased by public libraries for older readers who may have macular degeneration or cataracts. However the choice of typeface does not appear to have been based on scientific research.
Method:
This project examined parameters including the shape and weight of characters, the spacing, the degree of serif and the design of punctuation symbols. In each experiment, the typefaces were altered so only the variable being tested varied. Potential and actual users of large print books from a variety of sources around the UK participated in the research. Subjects responded about the relevant typefaces in samples of continuous text using questionnaires.
Results and Conclusions:
The results revealed that people with low vision are not a homogeneous population so an 'optimised' typeface may not apply to every reader. Despite this, a typeface that was regarded as more legible than currently employed large print typefaces was developed. For the shape of the characters, Wilcoxon tests indicated that the new typeface was significantly more legible than Times New Roman or Arial. Further experimental studies indicated the most legible level for each of the variables tested. Bringing together the results from each of the experiments enabled a typeface to be designed with a scientific basis.
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