British Deaf Association  

About British Deaf Association  

The British Deaf Association (BDA) is the UK’s national representative organisation for BSL and ISL in the UK. We advocate for our sign language rights and equity for Deaf people. When you support us, you support the Deaf community directly. 

The British Deaf Association (BDA) was formed in 1890 after Deaf people were excluded from an 1889 Royal Commission on deaf education. In response, Deaf leaders—led by Francis Maginn—organised a national conference in London to advocate for their rights and improve education and social status for Deaf people in the UK. 

The conference also reacted to the 1880 Milan Congress, where hearing educators banned sign languages. This led to widespread suppression of sign language in schools, removal of Deaf teachers, and larger class sizes managed by hearing staff. 

• 88% of our staff are Deaf BSL users
• 100% of our trustees are Deaf 
• We helped secure the BSL Act 2022 
• We receive no core government funding and rely on donations
• Your fundraising keeps our Deaf-led mission alive

 The Challenge  

We are excited to take on a personal challenge, jumping out of the sky, and raise vital funds to fuel the BDA’s work, advocating for sign language rights, celebrating Deaf culture, and ensuring every deaf child grows up with full access to a natural language from the very beginning.  

Every pound raised enables us to campaign for a future where BSL thrives.  

Why Fundraising Matters  

Every pound we raise helps create a UK where Deaf people’s language, culture, and rights are fully respected and protected. Your support powers Deaf leadership, strengthens BSL, and brings real change for Deaf children, families, and communities. 

Deaf people are not disabled by deafness – they are disabled by systemic lack of BSL access. Below are some key facts: 

• 87,000 people use BSL as their first or preferred language 
• Deaf children are the only group in the UK denied early language fluency 
• Lipreading provides only 30% of spoken English 
• Poor access in healthcare leads to misdiagnosis and worse mental health 

Every pound we raise helps the BDA continue a legacy that began in 1890: Deaf people organising, campaigning and standing up for our language. 

The impact in action  

By fundraising for the BDA, you help promote BSL so we can: 

• Lobby the government to fully deliver the BSL Act 2022 

• Challenge discrimination in public services 

• Promote BSL rights across the UK   

• Advocacy for Deaf leadership 

• Produce research that shapes policies  

• Ensuring Deaf people’s lived experiences are heard. 

• Strengthen Deaf Communities  

• Support deaf children, young people and empower families to learn BSL 

• Tackle loneliness and isolation  

Your support powers Deaf leadership, strengthens BSL, and brings real change for Deaf children, families, and communities.   

Together, we can make sure that BSL is not only recognised in law, but lived in practice — in families, communities, services and everyday life.