British Dyslexia Association — National Dyslexia & Dyscalculia Charity

The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) is the UK's national charity for dyslexic and dyscalculic people and those around them — children and adults, parents, teachers and employers. For someone who has just started to suspect dyslexia in themselves or a child, it is a sensible first call: its free, confidential helpline gives information and signposting on diagnosis, education, employment, workplace adjustments and everyday matters such as driving, and it can then point towards an assessment, tuition or local support. The BDA's wider aim is structural — to change schools, workplaces and policy so that dyslexic people are not left to compensate on their own.

The charity is registered in England and Wales (289243) and based in Bracknell. Its diagnostic assessments for dyslexia and dyscalculia are carried out by specialist teachers and psychologists across the UK, for children and for adults aged 16 and over, and it also offers workplace needs assessments for employees. Assessment bursaries exist for people who would struggle with the cost. Beyond assessment, the BDA runs one-to-one tuition, a training programme with bespoke courses for schools, workplaces, charities and the public sector, accreditation and professional membership for specialist teachers and assessors, and Dyslexia Friendly Quality Marks for schools and employers that can show good practice.

People who want contact rather than a service can join the BDA Dyslexia Community free of charge, which adds their voice to the charity's campaigning, or attend its online peer support groups for adults. The Dyslexia Charity Network links to independent local and regional dyslexia charities for face-to-face help. The helpline has limited hours — Tuesday mornings and Wednesday and Thursday afternoons — so email may be quicker outside those times.