British Deaf Association
  • About us
        • About the BDA

          Deaf-led. Community focused.

          Learn more about who we are, what we stand for and how the British Deaf Association is led.

        • Who we are

          Learn about our purpose, values and the direction that guides the BDA.

        • Who we are
          • What we stand for
          • BDA Manifesto
          • Our Work
          • Strategic Vision
        • Leadership & governance

          Meet the people who lead the BDA and see how our organisation is governed and accountable.

        • Leadership & governance
          • Board
          • Management Team
          • Annual Reviews
        • History & community

          Explore the BDA's history and our work with Deaf young people.

        • History & community
          • History
          • BDA Youth
  • What we do
        • What we do

          Our work across the UK

          We campaign for equality, champion BSL and deliver projects and services that support Deaf people and communities across the UK.

        • Campaigns, policy and evidence

          We campaign for change and use evidence to improve the rights of Deaf people.

          • Our campaigns
          • Research and consultations
        • Support, projects and programmes

          Find support and explore BDA work taking place across the UK.

          • Advocacy
          • Projects and programmes
        • Information and resources

          Browse trusted BSL information, guidance and resources on topics that matter to Deaf people.

          • BSL and Deaf culture
          • Health and wellbeing
          • History and heritage
        • Celebrating BSL and Deaf culture

          Explore annual initiatives and celebrations that bring our community together.

          • Sign Language Week
          • National BSL Day
          • International Week of Deaf People
          • BSL Poet Laureate
  • News & events
        • Latest news

          Take the Leap for BDA Youth: Skydive Fundraiser 2026 Members of the BDA Youth Committee, BDA staff and supporters are taking to the skies to raise funds… 31 July 2026
          BDA responds to PM’s social care announcement The BDA welcomes the focus on social care and hopes the upcoming Big Conversation on Care will meaningfully… 30 July 2026
          Join our Deafblind Advisory Group The British Deaf Association (BDA) is looking for Deafblind people from across the United Kingdom to help shape… 25 June 2026

          All news →

        • Explore

          More news, organisations and places to discover.

          • British Deaf News
          • World Federation of the Deaf
          • European Union of the Deaf
          • SHARE: The Deaf Visual Archive
          • Sign Language Week
  • Get involved
        • Support us

          Help make a difference

          Support the BDA through donations, fundraising and other ways to give.

          Make a difference Make a donation and help support the BDA’s work with Deaf people and communities across the UK. Fundraise for the BDA Take on a challenge or organise your own fundraiser to help raise money for the BDA.
        • More ways to support
          • In-Memoriam Donations
          • Gifts in Wills
          • How we fundraise
        • Join us

          Work with us or become part of the BDA community.

          Current Job Opportunities See current vacancies and opportunities to work with the BDA. → Become a Member Join the BDA and be part of our community. →

          Stay connected

          Keep up with BDA news, campaigns and opportunities.

          Newsletter Sign up for BDA news, campaigns and important updates. →
  • Training & Consultancy
  • Contact
        • Get in touch

          How can we help?

          For general enquiries, use our online contact form and we’ll help make sure your message reaches the right BDA team.

          Contact us Send us a message using our online form. →
        • Follow us
          • X
          • Facebook
          • Facebook – British Deaf News
          • Instagram
          • LinkedIn
          • YouTube
        • Our offices

          Find your local BDA team

          Find contact details for BDA offices and teams across the UK.

          Head Office London → England Derby → Northern Ireland Belfast → Scotland Glasgow → Wales Cardiff → Deaf Museum Manchester →
  • Membership
  • Safeguarding
  • Donate
    • About us
          • About the BDA

            Deaf-led. Community focused.

            Learn more about who we are, what we stand for and how the British Deaf Association is led.

          • Who we are

            Learn about our purpose, values and the direction that guides the BDA.

          • Who we are
            • What we stand for
            • BDA Manifesto
            • Our Work
            • Strategic Vision
          • Leadership & governance

            Meet the people who lead the BDA and see how our organisation is governed and accountable.

          • Leadership & governance
            • Board
            • Management Team
            • Annual Reviews
          • History & community

            Explore the BDA's history and our work with Deaf young people.

          • History & community
            • History
            • BDA Youth
    • What we do
          • What we do

            Our work across the UK

            We campaign for equality, champion BSL and deliver projects and services that support Deaf people and communities across the UK.

          • Campaigns, policy and evidence

            We campaign for change and use evidence to improve the rights of Deaf people.

            • Our campaigns
            • Research and consultations
          • Support, projects and programmes

            Find support and explore BDA work taking place across the UK.

            • Advocacy
            • Projects and programmes
          • Information and resources

            Browse trusted BSL information, guidance and resources on topics that matter to Deaf people.

            • BSL and Deaf culture
            • Health and wellbeing
            • History and heritage
          • Celebrating BSL and Deaf culture

            Explore annual initiatives and celebrations that bring our community together.

            • Sign Language Week
            • National BSL Day
            • International Week of Deaf People
            • BSL Poet Laureate
    • News & events
          • Latest news

            Take the Leap for BDA Youth: Skydive Fundraiser 2026 Members of the BDA Youth Committee, BDA staff and supporters are taking to the skies to raise funds… 31 July 2026
            BDA responds to PM’s social care announcement The BDA welcomes the focus on social care and hopes the upcoming Big Conversation on Care will meaningfully… 30 July 2026
            Join our Deafblind Advisory Group The British Deaf Association (BDA) is looking for Deafblind people from across the United Kingdom to help shape… 25 June 2026

            All news →

          • Explore

            More news, organisations and places to discover.

            • British Deaf News
            • World Federation of the Deaf
            • European Union of the Deaf
            • SHARE: The Deaf Visual Archive
            • Sign Language Week
    • Get involved
          • Support us

            Help make a difference

            Support the BDA through donations, fundraising and other ways to give.

            Make a difference Make a donation and help support the BDA’s work with Deaf people and communities across the UK. Fundraise for the BDA Take on a challenge or organise your own fundraiser to help raise money for the BDA.
          • More ways to support
            • In-Memoriam Donations
            • Gifts in Wills
            • How we fundraise
          • Join us

            Work with us or become part of the BDA community.

            Current Job Opportunities See current vacancies and opportunities to work with the BDA. → Become a Member Join the BDA and be part of our community. →

            Stay connected

            Keep up with BDA news, campaigns and opportunities.

            Newsletter Sign up for BDA news, campaigns and important updates. →
    • Training & Consultancy
    • Contact
          • Get in touch

            How can we help?

            For general enquiries, use our online contact form and we’ll help make sure your message reaches the right BDA team.

            Contact us Send us a message using our online form. →
          • Follow us
            • X
            • Facebook
            • Facebook – British Deaf News
            • Instagram
            • LinkedIn
            • YouTube
          • Our offices

            Find your local BDA team

            Find contact details for BDA offices and teams across the UK.

            Head Office London → England Derby → Northern Ireland Belfast → Scotland Glasgow → Wales Cardiff → Deaf Museum Manchester →
    • Membership
    • Safeguarding
    • Donate

125 Year

Lost tribute to Wilhelmina Tredennick found in charity shop

Anne Murray (left) and BDA's Majella McAteer (right)

Today, our Belfast office was visited by Anne Murray, who has gifted the BDA and the Deaf Community with a very special item. Anne was out running errands, and decided to have a look in a local charity shop.

19th June 2019

It’s our 128th Birthday!!

Photo

IT’S OUR 128TH BIRTHDAY! Today we celebrate the BDA’s 128th birthday from when we were formed in Leeds (originally as the BDDA – The British Deaf and Dumb Association) on 24th July 1890

24th July 2018

Final Message from Dr. Terry Riley OBE

Final-Message-TR-Featured-Image

Dr. Terry Riley OBE gives his final announcement to all BDA members, Staff, the Board and friends, as Chair of the British Deaf Association

26th April 2018

Summary of 2018 AGM

AGM-Summary-Featured-Image

The British Deaf Association’s 2018 Staff Presentation and Annual General Meeting was held in Manchester on Saturday 14th April. Together we paid tribute to our resolute members of the community and took a look back at the BDA’s progress over the past year.

21st April 2018

Tribute to Dorothy “Dot” Miles

Dot-Miles-Tribute-Featured-Image

As we remember this remarkable and warm lady where her talents seemed endless – Dot Miles was widely regarded as the pioneer of BSL poetry, she was not only a poet, she was a playwright, performer, scholar, teacher and passionate activist.

20th April 2018

A thank you – Terry Riley

Thank-you-to-Terry-Featured-Image

On behalf of everyone at the BDA and the Deaf community, we thank you, Dr Terry Riley OBE, for your tireless commitment as a staunch supporter, a steadfast campaigner and a true trailblazer for sign language rights over the years

19th April 2018
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British Deaf Association

British Deaf Association

The national voice of Deaf people in the UK. We campaign for equality, celebrate British Sign Language and support Deaf communities to thrive.

Contact us

We welcome your feedback and comments. Please feel free to get in touch.

  • bda@bda.org.uk
  • bda.org.uk

Training & Consultancy

For training and consultancy enquiries, please contact:

  • trainingandconsultancy@bda.org.uk

Useful links

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  • My Donations
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© British Deaf Association 2026

Registered charity: England and Wales (1031687) and Scotland (SC042409)

Company No. 2881497 (England and Wales)

BDA Head Office

We welcome your feedback and comments. Please feel free to get in touch:

Email: bda@bda.org.uk

USEFUL LINKS

Accessibility
Privacy Policy
Complaints Procedure
My Donations
Safeguarding

Registered charity - England and Wales (1031687) and Scotland (SC042409) Company No: 2881497 (England and Wales) - Copyright British Deaf Association 2026

Important data protection update

Beacon CRM has informed the BDA about a cyber-security incident that may have involved personal information held in our account. Read our update, FAQs and BSL information.

Read the update → (opens in a new tab)