How to create an accessible Text Document

Reading can be a challenging task for both children and adults dealing with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
In both children and adults with ADHD, there is a tendency to lose interest in reading, miss details and connections, lose track of their position on the page, and easily succumb to distractions.

Checklist of key informations for creating text

  • Font to use: Helvetica/Arial, Sans-Serifs (something simple with clean lines)
  • Font size for title: max. 16pt (not too big, not too small)
  • Font size for text: 12-14pt (not too big, not too small)
  • Spacing size between lines: 1.5 – 2.0 (don’t clutter)
  • Max paragraph size: no longer than 4 lines (makes it easy to follow)
  • Max line size: One line should have 9 – 12 words

    Extensive information - Tips

    • When using colors, make contrast from the background and keep it between 3 – 4 colors, without over-saturating.
    • Include a summary at the end of the document, containing the most important points to follow.
    • Avoid overly interactive and dynamic animations.
    • Support your information with relevant pictures when necessary and possible.
    • Do not use big letters, as small ones are more pleasant to read.
    • Include left and right margins in order to keep the reader focused.

    Examples

    Example not to follow

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    Example to follow

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    Extensive explaination

    Both examples given exhibit text copied from 3 and demonstrate how effective fonts and typesetting can influence the readability.

    1. McKnight, L. (2010). Designing for ADHD in search of guidelines. In IDC 2010 Digital Technologies and Marginalized Youth Workshop (Vol. 30). Online: https://homepage.divms.uiowa.edu/~hourcade/idc2010-myw/mcknight.pdf, last accessed 18th Dec 2023 ↩

    2. Stern, P., & Shalev, L. (2013). The role of sustained attention and display medium in reading comprehension among adolescents with ADHD and without it. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 34(1), 431–439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2012.08.021. ↩

    3. Online, 2022, Elmaghraby R. and Garayalde S., https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd, last access 17th Dec 2023 ↩