Readability Consortium Grows to Inform Next-Generation Reading Solutions
The Readability Consortium explores ways to enable better reading and shift reading outcomes by personalizing text format for the individual
Monotype is a global leader in type design and technology, and has had a significant impact on the world of typography, providing fonts, technologies, and services that have shaped the way text is presented and communicated in both print and digital media.We are please to announce Monotype is the newest associate member of The Readability Consortium (TRC), a research consortium comprised of engineering, psychophysics, education and design researchers. TRC is committed to making reading easier, faster and more comfortable.
Reading is one of the most efficient ways to acquire information, with an estimated 85% of learning based on the written word. Scientific research demonstrates that personalized text formats improve readability, and can make a tangible difference in everyday tasks, accelerating reading while maintaining comprehension.
Readability Matters, a founding member of The Readability Consortium is an advocate for improving reading outcomes through enhanced readability. Excited about the addition of Monotype to TRC, Co-founder Marjorie Jordan, remarked, “Monotype has a rich history of innovation in type technology. We are thrilled to have them expand our efforts to deliver the research necessary for the day-to-day use of readability-enhancing solutions worldwide.”
The collaboration with Monotype expands the interdisciplinary alliance pioneering text format readability research. The TRC-sponsored broader collaborative effort involves educators, researchers, designers, and technologists, all contributing a wide spectrum of perspectives to ensure comprehensive research. 
Studies within the readability community explore the impact of text format on visual perception, brain activity, behavior, and performance, ensuring that TRC’s endeavors are representative of the diverse needs of readers. Dr. Ben D. Sawyer, Director of The Readability Consortium, noted, “Monotype’s dedication to scientific research aligns with TRC’s mission to explore the complexities of readability across diverse writing systems. Their participation will undoubtedly contribute to our collective efforts to enhance digital literacy worldwide.” Dave Crossland, Lead UX Operations Manager at Google Fonts added, “I expect Monotype to play a significant role in the future of reading science.”
Read The Readability Consortium press release.
More from Monotype, Adobe, and Fast Company.
About Monotype: Monotype creates brands that matter with type, technology, and expertise. The company partners with leading foundries to deliver the broadest inventory of high-quality typefaces in the world. The Monotype Fonts platform offers over 150,000 fonts.
About The Readability Consortium: Formed in 2022 by Adobe, the University of Central Florida, Readability Matters and Google, The Readability Consortium’s core mission is to bring digital readability to all. The Readability Consortium believes reading is a fundamental right. A more readable document improves the ability of diverse readers to access information. Engaging with a worldwide community of over 200 stakeholders from diverse disciplines,TRC builds a growing scientific understanding of readability through round-table investigation. With their community, they explore how digital reading devices can diagnose reader needs, then deliver format and content to enhance, rather than impede, individual reader performance.
