Dyslexia Training Institute

What Dyslexia Training Institute does

Dyslexia Training Institute (DTI) is a privately held education and training company founded in 2008 by Dr. Kelli Sandman-Hurley and headquartered at 7424 Jackson Drive, Suite 1B, San Diego, California. The company provides online courses, certification programs, simulation tools, coaching, and conferences focused on dyslexia awareness, Structured Literacy instruction, Orton-Gillingham methodology, and school-system advocacy. DTI pioneered online dyslexia training in 2008 and launched the first online certification in the Orton-Gillingham approach in 2011; its flagship Dyslexia Certificate Program (DCP) is accredited by the International Dyslexia Association at the Accreditation Plus level, qualifying graduates for CERI SLCT and C-SLDI credentials.

The product portfolio spans five individual online courses priced $225–$450 (Defining Dyslexia; Introduction to Structured Literacy and Orton-Gillingham; Structured Word Inquiry; Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary and Fluency), the IDA-accredited Dyslexia Certificate Program (five courses plus an optional 45-hour practicum), the Dyslexia Advocate Certificate Program, the Second-Edition Dyslexia for a Day Simulation Kit ($149), one-on-one Structured Literacy Coaching ($150/session), group webinars ($750–$1,200 for up to 50+ participants), an annual virtual conference with tiered pricing ($119–$249), micro-credential badges via Credentials Unlimited ($75, valid five years), and physical instructional materials (Grapheme Phoneme Cards $25; Phonemic Awareness Tiles $15). Distribution is direct-to-consumer through a self-serve website; enterprise sales occur via custom district/school training; and graduate extension credits ($79/credit) are issued through a partnership with the University of San Diego.

The technology backbone is the iCohere learning management system, which delivers asynchronous content, discussion boards, live chats, webinars, and email to participants globally. Primary customer segments are classroom and special education teachers, reading specialists, parents of students with dyslexia, school psychologists and private practitioners, speech-language pathologists (via ASHA CEU-approved offerings), and K-12 districts purchasing group training. The organization operates with approximately 12–13 team members and maintains approved-provider status in 12 U.S. states.

Name

Dyslexia Training Institute

Legal name

Dyslexia Training Institute

Website

https://dyslexiatraininginstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dyslexia Training Institute is a privately held, San Diego-based online education company founded in 2008 that delivers IDA-accredited certification, individual courses, simulation kits, coaching, and conferences on Structured Literacy and Orton-Gillingham for educators, parents, and school districts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Education and Training (Dyslexia and Structured Literacy)

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Dyslexia & Structured Literacy (Orton-Gillingham) Tutoring (EDANAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parent & Caregiver Training for LD/Dyslexia Support (EDAKAJAJ), Professional Development for Educators (Dyslexia/LD Training) (EDAKAJAK), Literacy Intervention & Dyslexia Support Programs (Gen Ed) (EDAJAGAF), Reading & Literacy Intervention Materials for Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia, Decoding, Comprehension) (EDAGAMAH), Multisensory Learning Programs & Curriculum for Dyslexia/LD (EDAKAJAL)

Keywords

• Dyslexia training
• Structured literacy education
• Orton-Gillingham certification
• Special education advocacy
• Dyslexia certificate program

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Course Fees: Individual online courses ranging from $225-$450 per course. Four-week to six-week courses with asynchronous delivery.
2. Certificate Program Fees: Dyslexia Certificate Program fees cover 5 courses plus optional practicum. Participants receive certificate of completion and are eligible for CERI certification.
3. Coaching Services: Structured Literacy Coaching at $150/session or $400 for 3-session package. One-on-one Zoom sessions for DCP graduates.
4. Simulation Kit Sales: Physical product sales of Dyslexia for a Day Simulation Kit at $149. Includes carrying case, manual, master copies, Koosh balls, paper, pens.
5. Conference Registration: Annual virtual conference with tiered pricing: Super Early Bird $119, Early Bird $139, Regular $199, Last Chance $249. Group discounts available.
6. Group Webinar Fees: Group webinars at $750 for up to 50 participants or $1200 for more than 50 participants. 90-minute sessions with certificates of completion.
7. Micro-Credential Badges: Digital badges through Credentials Unlimited at $75 per badge. Two badges available: DCP Mastery Badge and DCP + Practicum Mastery Badge.
8. Educational Materials Sales: Grapheme Phoneme Cards ($25) and Phonemic Awareness Tiles ($15) sold through online store.
9. Graduate Extension Credits: Partnership with University of San Diego for graduate extension credits at $79 per credit hour. Credits used for certification, salary enhancement, or degree programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Dyslexia Training Institute delivers online education and certification programs on dyslexia identification, Structured Literacy instruction, and the Orton-Gillingham approach. Its core offerings include the IDA-accredited Dyslexia Certificate Program (DCP) with optional practicum, the Dyslexia Advocate Certificate Program, four standalone asynchronous courses, the Dyslexia for a Day Simulation Kit (physical and virtual), one-on-one Structured Literacy Coaching, micro-credential digital badges, and annual virtual conferences. The company also sells instructional materials (grapheme phoneme cards, phonemic awareness tiles) and offers custom group training to school districts and schools.

Product overview

Dyslexia Training Institute is an education and training organization offering a portfolio of certification programs, individual courses, simulation tools, coaching services, and conferences focused on dyslexia awareness, Structured Literacy instruction, and advocacy. The core offerings include the IDA-accredited Dyslexia Certificate Program (DCP) with optional practicum for Orton-Gillingham certification, the Dyslexia Advocate Certificate Program, and four standalone courses covering dyslexia fundamentals, Orton-Gillingham introduction, Structured Word Inquiry, and reading comprehension. Supporting products include the Dyslexia for a Day Simulation Kit (physical/virtual), webinars, Structured Literacy Coaching for graduates, micro-credential badges, and annual conferences. DTI also provides tutoring services, custom training for schools/districts, speaking engagements, and sells instructional materials (Grapheme Phoneme Cards, Phonemic Awareness Tiles). Graduate extension credits are available through a partnership with the University of San Diego.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dyslexia Certificate Program (DCP) IDA-accredited comprehensive certification program in dyslexia and structured literacy, comprising five courses (Defining Dyslexia, Orton-Gillingham Parts 1-3, and Reading Comprehension/Fluency) plus an optional 45-hour practicum for full Orton-Gillingham certification; graduates are eligible to sit for CERI SLCT or C-SLDI credentials.
• Dyslexia Advocate Certificate Program Certificate program teaching participants how to advocate for students with dyslexia in the public school system, covering IDEA, FAPE, IEPs, 504s, evaluations, and dispute resolution.
• Defining Dyslexia Course

Quantifiable outcome

• Participants eligible to sit for CERI SLCT (Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher) and C-SLDI (Certified Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist) certification exams
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• International Dyslexia Association (IDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDA accreditation of Dyslexia Certificate Program at Accreditation Plus level. Programs aligned with IDA's Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading (KPS). Participants qualify for CERI certification.
• University of San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for graduate extension credits. DTI courses eligible for USD graduate credits ($79/credit) for educator certification, salary enhancement, or degree programs. USD accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASHA CE Approved Provider status. Offering ASHA continuing education units for Defining Dyslexia course and annual virtual conference.
• State Departments of Education (GA, ID, IN, MN, MT, NM, ND, OH, OR, VA, WI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproved provider status in 12 states for professional development training. California allows districts to choose DTI as off-list provider. Ohio recognizes under Training Accredited category.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wilson Language Training: Wilson Language Training is one of the largest providers of structured literacy and Orton-Gillingham-based teacher training and materials (Wilson Reading System, Fundations). DTI competes in the same structured literacy/OG teacher-certification space, addressing overlapping educator and school district audiences.
• Reading Horizons: Reading Horizons sells structured literacy instruction software and offers teacher training and certifications to schools and districts. It targets the same K-12 educator and administrator customers seeking evidence-based reading instruction and intervention training.
• Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes: Lindamood-Bell delivers literacy intervention programs (LiPS, Seeing Stars, Visualizing & Verbalizing) and trains educators in research-based structured literacy methods. Like DTI, it serves educators, clinicians, and families seeking specialized literacy instruction outside general classroom curricula.
• Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE): IMSE provides Orton-Gillingham and structured literacy teacher training, including online and in-person cohorts leading to IMSE Certified Teacher credentials. It addresses the same educator and aspiring-interventionist segment with a competing structured literacy certification pathway.
• Barton Reading & Spelling System: Barton offers a widely used Orton-Gillingham-based tutoring system with associated training for tutors and parents of children with dyslexia. Its delivery model and target learner (parents, tutors, interventionists) directly overlaps with DTI's tutoring and parent/advocate training offerings.
• Scottish Rite Masons Children's Language Disorders / Dyslexia Programs: Scottish Rite-affiliated dyslexia training programs (e.g., Take Flight, Language!) provide structured literacy intervention and teacher training in many U.S. states. They represent a long-standing, state-networked alternative pathway for districts and interventionists that overlaps with DTI's certification and advocacy programs.

Broad incumbents

• Voyager Sopris Learning: Voyager Sopris Learning delivers literacy and intervention programs (e.g., LANGUAGE!, ReadWell) along with professional development for educators. As a broader-incumbent provider of literacy intervention and educator training, it competes for district-level professional development dollars that DTI also targets.
• International Dyslexia Association (IDA): IDA is the field's primary professional association and accrediting body (Knowledge and Practice Standards). Rather than training directly at scale, IDA sets the standards DTI is accredited against and convenes the broader dyslexia educator community through its own conferences and resources.
• Lexia Learning: Lexia Learning (a Cambium Learning Group company) provides structured literacy software and teacher support for K-12 districts, with a much larger product portfolio and distribution footprint. It is a broader incumbent in literacy instruction that overlaps with DTI's K-12 educator and district audiences, particularly via professional learning resources.

Others

• Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE): AOGPE accredits Orton-Gillingham training programs at the practitioner, associate, and classroom-educator levels. As a credentialing and standards body it shapes the OG ecosystem in which DTI's certification pathway competes, but it does not directly deliver consumer-facing courses like DTI.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dyslexiatrainer
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@kellra1969
• Facebookfacebook.com/dyslexiatraining
• Instagraminstagram.com/dyslexiatraininginstitute
• Pinterestpinterest.com/dyslexiainst
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dyslexia-training-institute

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dyslexia Training Institute