This week, as part of Dyslexia Awareness Week, we’re launching something truly special — and above all, impactful. The UK’s first-ever voice petition. It’s a way for everyone who lives and breathes the realities of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to be heard, directly and powerfully, by those who are making decisions about our children’s futures right now.
Hosted on Spotify, this petition isn’t made up of signatures or statistics — it’s made up of voices. Real voices. Parents, carers, children, teachers, and campaigners — all sharing their hopes and dreams for how the system could work better — and what it feels like when it doesn’t.
It couldn’t come at a more important time. The government is currently working on its long-promised SEND reforms. But how can they get it right without hearing from the people who live this every day?
Jamie Oliver’s own experience with dyslexia inspired him to speak up. But this campaign is about much more than dyslexia — it’s about making schools inclusive for every child, and celebrating all our beautiful differences.
The Disabled Children’s Partnership has done incredible work bringing families together — including literally standing outside Parliament to make their voices heard. This voice petition is another way to ensure your experiences reach the very top — whether you were there in person or cheering from home.
So please, take a moment to add your voice. It’s simple:
️Record a short voice note here (up to 60 seconds).
Start with: “I’m [NAME], and I’m [YOUR CONNECTION — e.g. parent, teacher, campaigner].” Then share what you want the Secretary of State for Education to hear. For one person, it was just 60 seconds of the soundtrack to their morning trying to get out of the house.
Your message will become part of a growing, living collection of voices and sounds — a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a child, a family, and a story that deserves to be heard.
Listen to the sound of change here.
Let’s make sure the government can’t ignore the people who know this system best: you.
Dr Sarah Rappaport
Campaign Manager, Jamie Oliver
