Designing an accessible website means creating content that can be understood and used by as many people as possible.
For people with dyslexia, certain design choices can make reading significantly easier or more difficult. Improving readability benefits not only users with dyslexia but also visitors using mobile devices, older users, people with temporary impairments, and anyone reading content quickly.
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide recommendations for making websites more accessible to all users.
Table of Contents
Understand the needs of users with dyslexia
Dyslexia affects how people process written information.
Common challenges may include:
- difficulty distinguishing similar letters
- reduced reading speed
- problems following large blocks of text
- difficulty maintaining focus while reading
- challenges understanding complex language
Not every person with dyslexia experiences the same difficulties. Offering flexibility and reducing cognitive load helps accommodate different needs.
Use clear typography
Typography has a direct impact on readability.
To improve accessibility:
- use clear, legible fonts
- maintain a sufficient font size
- allow users to resize text without breaking the layout
- use generous line spacing and paragraph spacing
- avoid decorative or highly stylized typefaces
Research does not consistently support one font family as universally better for users with dyslexia.
Instead of relying on a specific font, focus on readability and user choice.
Some users may prefer accessibility-focused fonts such as OpenDyslexic or Dyslexie, while others may find standard fonts easier to read.
Avoid:
- fully justified text
- excessive italics
- long sections written in uppercase letters
- tightly spaced text
Use sufficient contrast
Text should remain easy to read against its background.
WCAG recommends minimum contrast ratios to ensure readability.
Good practices include:
- dark text on a light background
- light text on a dark background
- consistent color usage across the website
Avoid using color alone to communicate important information.
For example, error messages should include both text and visual indicators.
Write clear and structured content
Clear writing improves comprehension for all users.
Consider the following recommendations:
- use short paragraphs
- keep sentences concise
- explain technical terms when necessary
- avoid unnecessary jargon
- organize information logically
- use descriptive headings and subheadings
Breaking content into smaller sections makes it easier to scan and understand.
The article What should a good company website include to build trust? explains how clear structure and content organization improve the user experience.
Use headings and visual hierarchy
A consistent heading structure helps users navigate content more easily.
Use headings to separate topics and create a logical flow.
For example:
- one H1 heading for the page title
- H2 headings for main sections
- H3 headings for subsections
Avoid skipping heading levels or using headings only for visual styling.
Proper heading structure also improves accessibility for screen reader users.
Make images and multimedia accessible
Images should support understanding rather than replace essential information.
Provide:
- descriptive alt text for meaningful images
- captions where additional context is useful
- transcripts for audio content
- subtitles for videos
The article What impact do tags, meta descriptions, and image alt text have on SEO? explains how alt text improves both accessibility and search engine understanding.
Allow users to customize their experience
Whenever possible, give users control over how content is displayed.
Helpful options include:
- adjustable text size
- dark mode or alternative color themes
- customizable spacing
- reduced motion settings
User preferences vary, and flexibility often provides a better experience than enforcing a single design approach.
Test your website regularly
Accessibility improvements should be part of ongoing website maintenance.
Review your website regularly using:
- accessibility auditing tools
- keyboard navigation tests
- screen readers
- real user feedback
Accessibility is an ongoing process rather than a one-time task.
If you manage your own website, the article The most common mistakes on company websites: what destroys customer trust highlights design and usability issues that often affect accessibility.
For websites that collect personal information, accessibility should be considered alongside privacy requirements. See How to make your website GDPR compliant for additional guidance.
Summary
Improving accessibility for users with dyslexia involves creating clear, flexible, and easy-to-read content.
Simple changes such as improving typography, increasing contrast, organizing content logically, and offering customization options can make a significant difference.
Following WCAG recommendations helps create websites that are easier to use for everyone, regardless of reading ability or device.