Abstract
Readability is on the cusp of a revolution. Fixed text is becoming fluid as a
proliferation of digital reading devices rewrite what a document can do. As
past constraints make way for more flexible opportunities, there is great need
to understand how reading formats can be tuned to the situation and the
individual. We aim to provide a firm foundation for readability research, a
comprehensive framework for modern, multi-disciplinary readability research.
Readability refers to aspects of visual information design which impact
information flow from the page to the reader. Readability can be enhanced by
changes to the set of typographical characteristics of a text. These aspects
can be modified on-demand, instantly improving the ease with which a reader can
process and derive meaning from text. We call on a multi-disciplinary research
community to take up these challenges to elevate reading outcomes and provide
the tools to do so effectively.