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Broken Typeface Seeks To Be Fixed To Help Mend Illiteracy In New York
By Mikelle Leow, 26 Jun 2020
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![](https://editorial.designtaxi.com/editorial-images/news-BrokenTypeface260620/Dalton-Maag-Typeface-NYC-Illiteracy-1.jpg)
Video screenshot via Literacy Partners
This typeface is intentionally illegible, because the ability to read is a privilege that not everyone can have.
‘Sans 18%’ is a broken typeface created by Literacy Partners—a New York organization aimed at making education accessible to low-income families and ultimately close the achievement gap between children—independent agency The&Partnership and type foundry Dalton Maag.
Each glyph is fragmented to depict the 18-percent of New York City residents who do not know how to read, as well as illustrates the day-to-day difficulties faced by people who are unequipped with the written language.
The importance of being able to read is particularly glaring as the world goes knee-deep in political fluctuations and a pandemic. Without the ability to comprehend the news, or, say, coronavirus PSAs, the capacity of discerning truths from false information will be especially limited for people who cannot read.
You can help “fix” the broken typeface by making a contribution to Literacy Partners. ‘Sans 18%’ can be downloaded via Dalton Maag, but you’ll need to create an account first.
![](https://editorial.designtaxi.com/editorial-images/news-BrokenTypeface260620/Dalton-Maag-Typeface-NYC-Illiteracy-2.png)
Image via Literacy Partners
[via Print Magazine, video and images via Literacy Partners]
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