How can information be designed so that everyone can read it easily – including people with low vision? This question has guided the German Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted (DBSV) for many years. Building on the success of its German-language platform leserlich.info, DBSV has now launched an English version: legibility.info – an international resource dedicated to improving the readability of text in both print and digital formats.
The new platform provides evidence-based and practical guidance on typographic and visual design that enhances accessibility for all readers. Its recommendations are based on scientific research, user experience, and established standards such as DIN 1450 (Legibility of Characters). Two particularly useful tools – the Font Size Calculator and the Contrast Calculator – allow designers and communicators to test font sizes and colour combinations, making it easier to apply accessibility standards in everyday work.
Readable information benefits everyone, whether reading under poor lighting, in stressful environments, or with age-related vision loss. The platform aims to support designers, public institutions, companies, and organisations in ensuring that information remains accessible to all.
The development of legibility.info was a collaborative effort between DBSV, design experts, and people with visual impairments. It was created in cooperation with Professor Florian Adler and the design agency adlerschmidt, and realised with financial support from the healthcare company MSD. Accessible communication is an essential part of health literacy, and the project reflects a joint commitment to make essential information easier to understand and use for everyone.
With an estimated one million people in Germany living with severe vision loss – and many more affected across Europe – accessible information design is key to inclusion. Legibility.info offers clear, actionable advice that bridges the gap between creative design freedom and the accessibility obligations set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Since its original launch in 2017, leserlich.info has become a leading reference for government institutions, designers, and communication experts in Germany. The international expansion through legibility.info now makes this expertise available to a global audience, fostering collaboration, awareness, and the exchange of best practices across borders.
Visit www.legibility.info to explore the platform, use the interactive tools, and learn how accessible design can make a difference for everyone.