The New Readability Sandbox
Software developers often create a test environment, called a sandbox, with elements for the intended users to try before the code is built, tested, and deployed. Research has demonstrated that small changes to text formats can improve reading speed, accuracy, and comprehension. The Readability Matters sandbox was designed to demonstrate the power of subtle text changes to impact readability.
Play in the Sandbox; see what Readability Features might improve your reading experience.
What’s New
With version 2, Readability Matters introduces the first in a series of Sandbox innovations. The new sandbox was thoughtfully designed to incorporate new technology, making possible better affordances for character weight and width. In addition to font choice, size, character, and line spacing, these Readability Features are provided with the additional new features related to column width and background color.
Variable Font technology
Variable fonts were added to give the reader more granular control of character weight and width. Read more about how Variable Fonts can deliver additional options for enhanced readability: The Promise of Variable Fonts.
New Readability Features
Column Width Research shows that line length can affect reading speed. For some readers, when lines are too long or too short, it can be difficult to return to the start of the next line quickly.
Background Color For many readers, the option to change background color provides a more comfortable onscreen reading experience and improves performance. To learn more about the benefits of visual reading aids, visit Digital Promises’ Learner Variable Navigator and the Irlen Institute.
Now Available on GitHub
The tech for good nonprofit, Readability Matters, continues its commitment to freely sharing insights and making the technology available to advance reading environments so that all readers can be the best readers they can be. The code for the Readability Sandbox is available on the Readability Matters GitHub. Developers who want to incorporate Readability into their design can leverage the code there. The Sandbox will continue to evolve, adding new features and testing functionality. All enhancements will be made available on GitHub.
