The British Dyslexia Association
The British Dyslexia Association is a UK charity founded in 1972 that provides diagnostic assessments, professional training and accreditation, one-to-one tuition, a free helpline, and policy advocacy for dyslexic individuals, schools, employers, and specialist professionals across the United Kingdom.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersBracknell, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The British Dyslexia Association does
The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) is a UK-registered charity founded in 1972 that provides diagnostic assessments, professional training, accreditation, tuition, advocacy, and helpline services for dyslexic individuals and the professionals and institutions that support them. It is headquartered in Bracknell, with a registered office in Reading, governed as a company limited by guarantee (1830587) and registered charity (289243) in England and Wales. Its service portfolio spans diagnostic assessments delivered through a self-employed associate assessor network (priced at £420 for specialist teachers and £520 for psychologists), comprehensive and bespoke training packages, professional accreditations (AMBDA, ATS, APS, APD, ATD), Dyslexia Friendly Quality Marks for schools and workplaces, a free confidential helpline, one-to-one online tutoring at £45/hour, and free community membership. The BDA also operates volunteer-led Local Dyslexia Hubs in Northern Ireland and South Wales and serves as secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dyslexia, giving it direct influence on UK SEND policy.
The BDA's revenue model is hybrid and typical of a UK service charity: individual donations and legacy giving, corporate partnerships (most notably with Theo Paphitis Retail Group and Ryman, anchored by BDA Vice President Theo Paphitis), paid professional services (assessments, training, accreditation), an annual professional membership subscription, a charity lottery, and small commission-style affiliate income from partners such as Give as you Live and eBay for Charity. Customer segments are deliberately broad and include dyslexic children and adults, parents and families, schools and educators, employers, accredited specialist teachers and assessors, and policy stakeholders. Go-to-market combines community-led engagement (free membership, local hubs, volunteers), event-driven activity (Dyslexia Awareness Week, the biennial 'Dimensions of Dyslexia' research conference, challenge events), direct-to-consumer services (helpline, online tuition), and corporate/B2B channels (Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark, bespoke training, charity-of-year partnerships). Operationally the BDA is a service-led organisation rather than a technology company — its only disclosed technology asset is an online tutoring platform for session scheduling and delivery, with no AI/ML, data products, or licensed software.
The British Dyslexia Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The British Dyslexia Association
- Legal name
- British Dyslexia Association
- Website
- https://bdadyslexia.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The British Dyslexia Association is a UK charity founded in 1972 that provides diagnostic assessments, professional training and accreditation, one-to-one tuition, a free helpline, and policy advocacy for dyslexic individuals, schools, employers, and specialist professionals across the United Kingdom.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The British Dyslexia Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Dyslexia Support Services
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dyslexia Screening & Diagnostic Evaluation (EDAKAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Dyslexia & Reading Intervention Programs (EDAMAJAI), Learning Disabilities & Dyslexia Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAB), Parent & Caregiver Training for LD/Dyslexia Support (EDAKAJAJ), Professional Development for Educators (Dyslexia/LD Training) (EDAKAJAK)
Keywords
Where The British Dyslexia Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bracknell
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
The British Dyslexia Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations through online giving, direct mail, fundraising events, challenge events, and bequests/legacy gifts. Includes payroll giving and donate-as-you-shop mechanisms.
- Professional Services Revenue: Income from diagnostic assessments (£420 specialist teacher, £520 psychologist per assessment), training programmes, and professional accreditation services.
- Membership and Community: Professional membership for qualified dyslexia/dyscalculia specialists. Free community membership drives engagement and advocacy.
- Lottery: BDA operates a charity lottery for regular income generation.
- Corporate Partnerships: Charity of year partnerships, company fundraising, Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark schemes, and advertising/sponsorship packages from corporate supporters.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Diagnostic Assessment - Specialist Teacher |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Diagnostic Assessment - Psychologist |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Online Tutoring Session |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Helpline |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | BDA Dyslexia Community |
| Subscription | Annual | Professional Membership |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
The British Dyslexia Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The British Dyslexia Association delivers diagnostic assessments, training programmes, professional accreditation, one-to-one online tuition, and a free helpline for dyslexic individuals across the UK. It also issues Dyslexia Friendly Quality Marks to schools and workplaces and provides bespoke training to organisations seeking to build inclusive cultures.
Product overview
The British Dyslexia Association operates as a unified service portfolio offering assessment, training, accreditation, and community support services for dyslexic individuals across the UK. The core offering consists of diagnostic assessments (delivered through a network of associate assessors), professional training programmes (both standard and bespoke), professional accreditation for specialist teachers and assessors, and dyslexia-friendly quality marks for schools and workplaces. Direct support services include a free helpline staffed by volunteers, one-to-one online tuition, and a free community membership platform. The BDA also operates Local Dyslexia Hubs in Northern Ireland and South Wales, providing volunteer-led community events and resources. The organisation functions primarily as a service-based charity rather than a technology product company.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Dyslexia Assessments Diagnostic assessments for dyslexia carried out by experienced specialist teachers and psychologists across the UK, offered in-person via associate assessors and accessible to children, young people, and adults seeking formal identification.
- Training Programme Comprehensive training programme offering flexible training packages for individuals and organisations at all skill levels, covering dyslexia awareness and support strategies for educators, employers, and individuals.
- Bespoke Training Tailored training services designed to support inclusive cultures in education, workplaces, charities, and the public sector, customised to each organisation's needs.
- Professional Accreditation BDA professional accreditations that recognise individuals for specialist teaching and/or assessment expertise, including ATS, APS, APD, ATD, and AMBDA certifications for dyslexia and dyscalculia specialists.
- Dyslexia Friendly Quality Marks Quality marks that cultivate and promote best practice within education and the workplace for people with dyslexia, including the refreshed Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark for Education Settings awarded to accredited institutions.
- Tuition Service One-to-one online tutoring services delivered via the BDA tutoring platform by experienced tutors who make learning accessible, enjoyable, and confidence-building for dyslexic individuals aged 8 and over.
- Professional Membership Annual subscription membership for qualified Dyslexia or Dyscalculia specialist teachers and assessors, providing professional recognition, community, and access to resources.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 85 young people enabled to access diagnostic assessments through Theo Paphitis Dyslexia Assessment Bursary
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The British Dyslexia Association
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The British Dyslexia Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The British Dyslexia Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Theo Paphitis Retail Group (TPRG)coreTheo Paphitis (BDA Vice President) leads TPRG including Ryman (official BDA partner), Robert Dyas, Boux Avenue, and London Graphic Centre. Corporate partnerships and fundraising through these businesses have generated significant support for BDA's work, including funding the Theo Paphitis Dyslexia Assessment Bursary enabling 85+ young people to access assessments.
- Small Business Sunday (#SBS)minorTheo Paphitis created Small Business Sunday (#SBS) initiative supporting and mentoring small businesses across the UK. Aligns with BDA's mission through championing dyslexic thinking and inclusive practice.
- Give as you LiveminorOnline shopping donation partner allowing shoppers to raise free donations for BDA when purchasing from over 4,300 partner retailers including M&S, John Lewis, Tesco, Sainsbury's.
- RymancoreRyman is an official partner of the British Dyslexia Association. Through Ryman and TPRG, significant fundraising and partnership activity has supported BDA's work, including research funding and bursaries.
- Free WillsminorPartnership providing free online will-writing service for BDA supporters, facilitating legacy donations to the charity.
- eBay for CharityminorPartnership allowing eBay sellers to donate 10-100% of profits to BDA when selling items, with automatic donation collection through PayPal Giving Fund.
- All-Party Parliamentary Group on DyslexiacoreBDA provides the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dyslexia, ensuring dyslexia remains a priority on the national policy agenda and influencing government legislation.
- University of SurreyminorHost venue for BDA's most recent international research conference 'Dimensions of Dyslexia: Evidence and Practice' in June 2024.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The British Dyslexia Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Dyslexia Association of Ireland: Ireland's national dyslexia association delivering assessments, training, and advocacy. Comparable mission and services to BDA, but operates in a different national jurisdiction.
Emerging players
- Learning Ally: US audiobook and equity nonprofit serving dyslexic learners in schools. Partially overlaps BDA's tuition and intervention proposition via assistive technology for reading.
- Made By Dyslexia: UK-based global charity focused on dyslexic strengths, school/employer training, and free resources. Overlaps with BDA's awareness and employer-engagement work but differentiates via strengths-based positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Mencap: UK's largest learning disability charity, offering helpline, training, and advocacy. Comparable charity operating model and corporate partnership approach for the BDA.
- National Autistic Society: UK disability charity operating at significantly larger scale across training, accreditation, helpline, and policy advocacy. Useful benchmark for BDA's service diversification and policy-influence operating model.
Direct peers
- National Center for Learning Disabilities: US nonprofit advocating for individuals with learning disabilities including dyslexia. Comparable policy advocacy, professional development, and parent support programs to BDA.
- Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity: UK dyslexia charity delivering assessments, specialist tuition, and teacher training in Surrey and online. Directly comparable service portfolio and target audience to the BDA.
- International Dyslexia Association: US-based national dyslexia association offering diagnostic guidance, professional training, and accreditation. Closest international analogue to BDA in mission, member offerings, and advocacy positioning.
- Dyslexia Scotland: Scotland-focused dyslexia charity providing training, information, and advocacy for dyslexic individuals, educators and employers. Operates within the BDA Dyslexia Charity Network and competes for regional training contracts.
Others
- British Institute of Learning Disabilities: UK charity focused on workforce training, consultancy, and standards in learning disability support. Comparable professional training infrastructure and quality mark-style accreditation to BDA.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The British Dyslexia Association social profiles
Digital presenceThe British Dyslexia Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The British Dyslexia Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
The British Dyslexia Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The British Dyslexia Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The British Dyslexia Association
What does The British Dyslexia Association do?
The British Dyslexia Association delivers diagnostic assessments, training programmes, professional accreditation, one-to-one online tuition, and a free helpline for dyslexic individuals across the UK. It also issues Dyslexia Friendly Quality Marks to schools and workplaces and provides bespoke training to organisations seeking to build inclusive cultures.
Is The British Dyslexia Association a public or private company?
The British Dyslexia Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The British Dyslexia Association founded?
The British Dyslexia Association was founded in 1972. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The British Dyslexia Association based?
The British Dyslexia Association is headquartered in Bracknell, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The British Dyslexia Association make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are professional Services Revenue, membership and Community, lottery and corporate Partnerships.
Who are The British Dyslexia Association's main competitors?
Dyslexia Association of Ireland is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Learning Ally and Made By Dyslexia. Broad incumbents are Mencap and National Autistic Society. Direct peers are National Center for Learning Disabilities, Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, International Dyslexia Association and Dyslexia Scotland. British Institute of Learning Disabilities is listed as an others.
Does The British Dyslexia Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for The British Dyslexia Association.
What industry is The British Dyslexia Association in?
The British Dyslexia Association's product category is Dyslexia Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKAJAA, Dyslexia Screening & Diagnostic Evaluation, with a secondary code of EDAMAJAI, Dyslexia & Reading Intervention Programs. Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.