Widening the BDA Membership to create a Stronger Voice

For many years membership of the BDA has been restricted to two categories of member; Local Dyslexia Associations which provide support to their members at a local level, and Supporting Corporate Members that are dyslexia related agencies. In both cases new members had to meet specific entry criteria.

With approximately six million dyslexic people across the UK this exclusive membership meant we were unable to offer any type of service to large numbers of dyslexic people living outside the area covered by a local dyslexia association. So change was essential.

At the BDA Spring meeting in 2005 our members voted in significant changes to the constitution, and this now allows many individuals, small support groups and organisations previously excluded, to join the BDA family. This change gives us the opportunity to create members in parts of the country not previously covered by a local association. Furthermore, increased membership will substantially help the BDA in its claim to be the voice of dyslexic people.

The changes mean that we retain the local dyslexia association membership category, and create three new categories:

Benefits that all members receive include regular newsletters; discounts on BDA conferences and some Training services; the ability to influence dyslexia policy; attendance at the BDA AGM and representation on the Trustee Board. A general description of each member type is as follows:

Local Associations

These are independently registered charities, normally run by volunteers that provide support and services to their members. Local Associations were the original members of the BDA. They remain an important link across the country by those affected by dyslexia, giving vital local knowledge. A local association is required to meet certain entry criteria, one requirement of which is that it must run its own Helpline.

Support Groups

These are independent dyslexia groups that may or may not wish to become local associations. There are no membership entry criteria. For those that do wish to become a charity and perhaps to develop into a local association, then the BDA’s regional staff will provide support and guidance to the Support Group to achieve its aim.

Occasionally a local association may find that it is no longer able to maintain its charitable status and meet the full list of criteria. In the past such an association would have closed, but it is now possible for such an association to transfer into the Support Group category and remain as part of the BDA family.

Organisational Members

Any business or organisation that wishes to support the aims of the BDA may become an Organisational Member; there are no membership entry criteria. Our Supporting Corporate Members are moving into this category and our intention is to arrange an annual event where members who are dyslexia service providers can present their products and services

Individual Members

Any individual who wishes to support the BDA may become an individual member. On our application form we will also be inviting all potential BDA members to join their local association, where one exists. This is optional, but, if an individual also chooses to belong to their local association, their subscription is paid to the local association and membership of the BDA is free.