Effective Date: October 17, 2026 | Last Updated: October 23, 2026.
We want everyone to be able to use marstheory.org and our each of our apps. That includes people with disabilities, people with dyslexia or other reading differences, and people learning English.
Our Goal
We aim for marstheory.org and each of our apps to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 at level AA.
WCAG is the international standard for accessible websites and apps, and level AA is the level U.S. public libraries and public schools are required to meet under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
What We’ve Built In
On marstheory.org:
- A button at the bottom of every page switches the site to OpenDyslexic, a font some readers with dyslexia prefer. Press it again to switch back to Lexend. Your choice is remembered on your device.
On marstheory.org and in our apps:
- Lexend, a font designed to make reading easier, on a warm off-white background that cuts glare
- Plain language, short paragraphs and clear headings
- We avoid italic text, which many readers find harder to read, and give the option to disable anything that flashes
In Lanternway and Plainword:
- Adjustable text size, and an option to turn Lexend off
- More space between lines if you want it: an extra-spacing option in Lanternway (which also spaces out letters), and three line spacings in Plainword
- Light mode, dark mode, or your device’s setting, plus a sepia page in Plainword
- Strong contrast: the main text meets WCAG’s strictest level (AAA), and all text meets at least level AA
- Works with your browser’s zoom
- Buttons, pictures and links have labels that screen readers read aloud, and so does Lanternway’s weekly reading chart
- No time limits: nothing makes you hurry to read or finish something. (For security, a Lanternway sign-in code sent by email only works for a short time, and you can always ask for a new one. Plainword has no sign-in.)
Also in Plainword:
- Read aloud: your device’s own voice reads the Bible verse by verse, shading the verse being read and, on most devices, lighting up each word
- Plain meanings: tap a word with a dotted underline to see what it means (over 330 hard or old words, coins, measures and places)
- A reading ruler that shades the verse you’re on
- Seven Bibles to choose from, including the Bible in Basic English, written with a small, simple vocabulary, and one in Spanish
- Verse numbers and section headings you can turn off
In A Week at Pinemoor:
A Week at Pinemoor is a short game that shows some things that make work harder, so a few parts are hard on purpose. You can change them in its settings:
- Reading effects, which make some words take extra effort to read, can be turned off.
- Reduce motion stops anything from moving or blinking.
- Harsh office lighting can be turned off for calm colors the whole time.
- Larger text makes all text bigger.
- The game has a workday clock. Each new screen gives you a few seconds to read before the clock moves, you can pause any time, and you can end a workday early from the pause menu.
What We’re Still Working On
- Lanternway and Plainword are still in testing. Before they launch, we’re testing them with screen readers and with a keyboard alone, and fixing what we find.
- A Week at Pinemoor is an early version and hasn’t yet been reviewed by neurodivergent players, disabled players, or people with long COVID. We’re asking for feedback and will fix what we find.
- This list may change as things are found and fixed during testing.
Tell us what’s hard to use
If anything on this site or in our apps is hard for you to use, please tell us. We’ll help you get what you need, and we’ll work to fix the problem.
- Email hello@marstheory.org.
- In Lanternway (for teens and adults), go to Settings, open the Help tab, and tap Report a problem.
- In Plainword, go to Settings, open Help & more, and tap Report a problem.
- Or write to Mars Theory, 2735 Hassert Blvd., Suite 135 #206, Naperville, IL 60564.
We typically reply within 5 business days.
Libraries, schools, churches, and other organizations are welcome to email us with questions about our apps’ accessibility.