OpenDyslexic Font - BBC Article

[Dos_Box]

I'm not sure if any of you are aware of the development of a font designed to help dyslexics?
The BBC are doing an article on it here: BBC News - OpenDyslexic font gains ground with help of Instapaper

[DaveP]

I have downloaded the font and installed it at a single station in our Learning Support Department. If they like it they would like me to deploy it to all stations on the network.

I have tried to deploy it with a start up script but that failed.

Any ideas how to deploy an .otf font across the network?

Thanks.

[british_government]

We use lexia,
Free Lexia Font Download

free and many students have reported struggling less reading powerpoint presentations and handouts using this font, so it does work.

otf may be slightly different but deploy ttf this is the process by group policy
Copy the file from a network share to c:\windows\fonts\
Create a registry string in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts with the font name (Lexia (TrueType)) and the exact file name (case sensitive)

[DaveP]

...otf may be slightly different but deploy ttf this is the process by group policy
Copy the file from a network share to c:\windows\fonts\
Create a registry string in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts with the font name (Lexia (TrueType)) and the exact file name (case sensitive)

Should have said that I tried the Registry hack at the same time. I will go back and check the case but I don't think that is the answer.

Thanks anyway.

Edit: Looks like I got it to work. Previously I had tried to use a batch file to insert the Registry fragment. Changing to Group Policy Preferences and restarting sorted it at my test stations. So full steam ahead!

[AngryTechnician]

We have had Lexia for a while now too, after Learning Support kept insisting that they used Comic Sans because it was better for dyslexia (it's really no better than Arial, and the b and d are still mirror images of each other which is unhelpful for dyslexia).

We also have Tiresias (free versions) which is designed for visually-impaired readers, and Sassoon (not free).

Always good to have another option though!

(Further reading: Typefaces for dyslexia | BDA Technology)

[localzuk]

I have downloaded the font and installed it at a single station in our Learning Support Department. If they like it they would like me to deploy it to all stations on the network.

I have tried to deploy it with a start up script but that failed.

Any ideas how to deploy an .otf font across the network?

Thanks.

I deployed one at my last place, I just created a simple MSI installer for it.

[pete]

On our sample size of two test kids, one said the font (OpenDyslexic) was better for them whereas the other said not much difference.

The only problem with it is (as someone who doesn't suffer from dyslexia) is that reading a lot of text in that font makes my eyes hurt and it appears defocused.

[antijingoist]

Hey guys! Thanks for the link!

I hope to have the font smoothing for Windows fixed shortly. It'll hopefully solve the "unfocused" and admittedly sometimes crappy look on Windows machines.

[rickjames]

Don't suppose I could be a pain here; I was wondering if someone could send me an already created MSI? I've been asked by our LS co-ordinator to run it on all machines but I've barely any time on my hands to do it! It'd be very much appreciated!

[speckytecky]

Wanted to thank Dos Box for his OP but there is no thanks button on this thread?

[DaveP]

Wanted to thank Dos Box for his OP but there is no thanks button on this thread?

Add Rep instead. I think the IT News forum doesn't have thanks.

[rickjames]

Don't suppose I could be a pain here; I was wondering if someone could send me an already created MSI? I've been asked by our LS co-ordinator to run it on all machines but I've barely any time on my hands to do it! It'd be very much appreciated!

A bump for this please! Help a brother out!

[DaveP]

A bump for this please! Help a brother out!

No need for an MSI if you use the method outlined by @british_government:

...otf may be slightly different but deploy ttf this is the process by group policy
Copy the file from a network share to c:\windows\fonts\
Create a registry string in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts with the font name (Lexia (TrueType)) and the exact file name (case sensitive)

HTH.

[Pottsey]

On our sample size of two test kids, one said the font (OpenDyslexic) was better for them whereas the other said not much difference.

The only problem with it is (as someone who doesn't suffer from dyslexia) is that reading a lot of text in that font makes my eyes hurt and it appears defocused.

You are not the only one and I have dyslexia. My sample size is way too small but it seems as many people find it painful as prefer it.