This Font from StopGap Simulates a Physical Barrier for Readers

In today’s world, individuals with disabilities are still facing significant barriers in public spaces. In Toronto alone, there are well over 2,200 businesses that have single-stepped entryways. To an individual living with a disability, a single step can be a significant obstacle. That’s where StopGap Foundation comes in, offering tangible solutions to remove physical barriers for those with accessibility needs.

In honour of National Accessibility Week, and every day, StopGap is on a mission to revolutionise the way we perceive accessibility. By eliminating physical barriers, it aims to create a world where every person can access every space. With its latest campaign, StopGap is not only raising awareness, but also driving real change.

“We’re all on our own accessibility learning journey, and some of us might not yet have had a disabled experience, either first-hand or by association,” says Luke Anderson, co-founder of the StopGap Foundation. “Our new campaign introducing the inaccessible font invites non-disabled readers into an unfamiliar realm, which may lead to feelings of frustration and - we hope - empathy.” 

In collaboration with Camp Jefferson, StopGap recently launched a powerful initiative targeting business owners across Toronto. Their innovative approach involved sending letters to inaccessible businesses, urging them to join the movement for accessibility. What sets this campaign apart is the clever twist - the letters were written in an inaccessible font to evoke the frustration felt by individuals with disabilities when navigating inaccessible spaces.

The impact of this campaign extends far beyond physical barriers. It sheds light on the daily challenges faced by those with disabilities, not only in the physical realm, but also in the digital and social spaces within our communities.

Aaron Niven and Dave Fontaine, associate creative directors at Camp Jefferson, added, “We worked with StopGap to craft an inaccessible font designed to look like one of the most common physical barriers - stairs. This font turns the simple act of reading into a cumbersome and laborious task, offering readers a glimpse into the daily challenges encountered by people living with disabilities.”