Readability Workshop 2: Inclusive Metrics and Design

VSS 2025

The Vision Science of Digital Readability: a fundamental part of the everyday lives of people all over the world

Building on the success of last year’s workshop, titled “The Vision Science of Digital Readability: Community-Building Workshop” (see the website here). which garnered overwhelming interest with standing-room-only attendance, we aim to create a more focused and attendee-oriented event this year. Last year’s workshop served as an introduction, bringing together the community to discuss the emerging field of digital readability, its opportunities, and challenges.

Workshop goals

This year, we seek to build on the momentum by fostering deeper interdisciplinary collaborations and advancing our collective understanding of key issues in the field. We will focus on two critical themes that emerged from last year’s discussions:

Metrics.

Defining Realistic Goals: We aim to establish clear evidence-based optimization goals that include preference, comfort, retention, and speed. Expanding beyond traditional metrics such as reading speed, we can focus on measures like practical accuracy and usability in diverse applications, ensuring readability meets its functional demands.
Advancing Experimental Tools: Equally critical is the development of advanced psychophysical and behavioral tools to quantify readability. These tools should be designed for experimental rigor, enabling the assessment of readability in both controlled lab settings and ecologically valid contexts, such as AR/VR environments and daily use. Leveraging the expertise of the vision science community, we aim to identify gaps and develop robust experimental paradigms.

Inclusivity.

Adaptive and Individualized Text Design for Low Vision and Diverse Groups: Enhancing readability requires identifying and optimizing text characteristics for individuals with low vision and other specific needs. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, the focus should be on flexible, adaptable designs that consider individual preferences and factors like age, accessibility, and demographics. Tailored text solutions can address the unique challenges faced by diverse reading populations, ensuring greater accessibility and comfort.
Underrepresented Languages: We must prioritize research and design efforts for widely spoken but digitally underrepresented languages, ensuring that fonts and digital readability solutions are inclusive and accessible to all linguistic groups.

Pre-Workshop Activities

Group Assignment:

One month prior to the workshop, participants will be pre-assigned to smaller groups that include individuals from diverse disciplines and backgrounds. This encourages collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking. Each group will receive an introductory email, allowing participants to connect even before the event.

Pre-Workshop Discussions:

Participants will be asked to submit discussion questions a month before the workshop. These questions will serve as the foundation for small group discussions, allowing the content to be tailored to the participants’ interests.

In-Person Workshop Agenda

12:00 – 12:15 | Welcome & Introductions

The workshop chair will introduce the day’s agenda, outline goals, and set expectations for the event.

12:15 – 1:30 | Expert Panel

A panel of experts will discuss current research, challenges, and opportunities in the field of digital readability, with a focus on the themes of metrics and inclusivity.

1:30 – 2:30 | Small Group Discussions

Pre-assigned Groups:

Participants will split into their pre-assigned small groups, which were organized in advance.

Discussion Topics:

Each group will select 2–3 questions from a pool of pre-submitted questions, those raised during the panel, and additional questions formulated during the break.

Goal Setting:

Each group will work towards an actionable outcome to accomplish until next year’s meeting, such as:
– Initiating a research project (e.g., pre-registering on OSF)
– Developing a collaborative publication (e.g., an opinion piece)

Facilitators:

A facilitator from the organizing team will guide each group to ensure the focus remains on actionable outcomes.

2:30 – 2:45 | Break

2:45 – 3:15 | Group Presentations and Feedback

Presentations:

Each small group will present their key takeaways, proposed goals, and any actionable plans to the larger group.

Feedback Session:

Experts and participants will provide feedback, suggesting potential collaborations, resources, or adjustments to the group’s goals.

3:15 – 3:30 | Action Items and Closing Remarks

The closing session will summarize the day’s discussions and identify key next steps. Action items will be assigned, and plans for follow-up will be outlined.