About British Dyslexia Association
The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) campaigns to break down barriers to inclusion and to provide a dyslexia-friendly society that enables dyslexic people to reach their potential. It provides comprehensive support for dyslexic people of all ages and has a vision that by 2010 everyone with dyslexia will have access to services that significantly enhance their quality of life.
Studies show that up to one in 10 people in the UK will have dyslexia – four in 10 of these will have severe dyslexia and have real difficulty in reading, writing and spelling.
The BDA achieves it goals by providing training, advice and direct support to children, families, employees and employers. The support is provided through a network of local volunteer groups and head office services.
Direct support is provided mainly through a network of 96 local associations, schools, employers, young offenders centres, supporting corporate members and via our National Helpline.
The BDA’s National Helpline receives an average 180 calls every day from worried parents, dyslexic children, dyslexia adults, teachers, other professionals and employers. The helpline is staffed by a dedicated team of volunteers and two paid staff.
But for every call answered, another one is lost. This is of great concern to the BDA – almost 200 people every day try to call but ring off or do not leave a message because they actually want to talk to someone. The helpline staff also respond to up to 50 emails a day from people wanting to know more information about dyslexia and specific learning difficulties.
The BDA web site www.bdadyslexia.org.uk has recently been updated to provide a better range of information. It receives an amazing 20,000 hits every day from people wanting more information about dyslexia.
In partnership with other charities, BDA has have a vision to provide a national information centre for all people with specific learning difficulties. It is starting a major fundraising campaign to turn its dreams into reality – please help with a donation towards its work.
Our history
The British Dyslexia Association was formed in 1972 to support the development of local dyslexia associations across the UK.
Since then, the BDA has campaigned to increase awareness of dyslexia. It has also fought for recognition of dyslexia by the education establishment and the development of dyslexia-friendly teaching practice.
Over the years, the BDA has supported parents in their efforts to get the educational support needed by their dyslexic children. Advocacy and befriending programmes were developed to support parents as they negotiated with local education authorities to obtain statements of special educational needs and additional resources.
In recent years, the BDA has extended it work in to the field of employment. Issues facing dyslexic people in the workplace and those searching for work are now being examined and an employability campaign has been developed.