This Broken Typeface Symbolizes The Struggle of Illiteracy for 18% of New Yorkers
You just read the title of this article and you didn’t even think twice about it.
When we read, we don’t even realize that we’re reading and doing something incredible.
Something so simple, so insignificant to us, is an entirely vital part of life.
Something we do all day long and don’t pay any attention to it.
Did you know that 18% percent of New Yorkers face the daily struggle of illiteracy?
Think about what life would be like if you couldn’t read.
How difficult day to day life would be.
Sans 18% is a broken typeface created specifically to show us what it’s like to not be able to read.
This new typeface was intentionally created to be unintelligible.
To show us the struggle of what it is like to not be able to read, and to put ourselves in the shoes of others.
Sans 18% was created by Literacy Partners with the intent to show us what life is like for roughly 18% of New Yorkers who can not read, and to give a solution to people who face this problem.
When you can’t read, you face problems you would never imagine.
Reading and understanding important documents is impossible.
Being independent becomes a million times harder.
This font shows you what it’s like to look a billboard, document, or even doctor’s prescription and not be able to understand what’s going on.
The video from up above, which is narrated by a person who learned how to read from the Literacy Partners association, shows just how important it is to be able to read.
I personally am all for Literacy Partners.
Literacy Partners provides free classes, books, workshops, and education to immigrants and caregivers in New York who want to learn how to read.
The PSA video was shared on Times Square for one day, and is running digitally with pro bono support from media agency m/SIX.
CEO of Literacy Partners, Anthony Tassi said, “We can’t afford for some members of our community not to be able to read basic public health information. Their inability to do so has potentially fatal consequences for not only their families but for everyone around them.”
They have also ensured that the literacy programs have been made available online for those who cannot attend in person, and they have made sure that the families who participate in these workshops and classes have all the technology they need in order to participate.
If you want to help teach New Yorkers how to read and come together as a community to support Literacy Partners, you can donate directly on their website.
Any donation helps.
You can also download the font by creating an account on their website.
What do you guys think about this broken font?
I found it very eye opening.
Let us know in the comments what you think!
And of course, until next time,
Stay creative, folks!
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