Welcome to the spring 2026 issue

In this spring edition, Dyslexia Voice looks at the impact of Dyslexia Scotland’s work

As we plan our new 5-year strategy, to be launched in April, we have been reflecting on the vital difference our services make to the dyslexia community.

In response to our prompt, “If it wasn’t for Dyslexia Scotland…” our members have shared stories about the meaningful impact of our tutor service, our open meetings, our resources and being part of a community.

Behind the scenes features news about Peter Lederer, Paul McNeill and Dougray Scott. We are grateful to our Vice President Dougray Scott for agreeing to voice the video for our new 5-year Strategy.

Peter Lederer, the new Chair of our Board of Directors, stepped into this important role in January after David Shaw stepped down. We are delighted that Peter has taken on the baton so skilfully held by David for many years. Our sincere and heartfelt thanks go to David for his dedicated commitment since 2008.

Congratulations to Ambassador Paul McNeill on being awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List for services to young people with dyslexia…a well-deserved award.

What’s new?

We have launched two important initiatives so far in 2026:

• our Young Dyslexia Scotland Changemakers initiative, backed by our Young Ambassadors
• our Manifesto for the Scottish elections in May – this was accompanied by an open letter to MSPs asking them to support the three ‘asks’ within the manifesto. The letter was signed by over 1100 people, including many of our members.

The dyslexia community in Scotland includes supporters helping to make changes for dyslexic people in so many ways. Our volunteers are a vital part of that community of changemakers, as the article on volunteering demonstrates so powerfully.

Similarly, our feature on the Helpline outlines the number and nature of the enquiries over the past year and some of the volunteer advisers who respond to those enquiries along with our paid advisers.

I have really enjoyed reading the contributions this quarter and I hope you do too. There is something for everyone in our colour-coded sections about Educators, Corporates and employers, Adults, children and young people and Changemakers.