At the Royal Association for Deaf People (RAD), we are driven by a clear vision: a future of opportunity, achievement, and equality for deaf people. Our 2023-24 Annual Report and Accounts looks back at an important year for RAD – a year of growth, transformation and impact for the deaf community, and the achievements at end of our strategic period 2021-24.
A year of transformation and growth
During 2023-24, RAD made significant strides in expanding services, increasing accessibility and strengthening our impact. We continued to provide a lifeline of support to deaf people across the UK, while also investing in new ways to create meaningful, lasting change.
One of the biggest milestones of the year was welcoming RADs first ever deaf CEO, Dr Mark Wheatley. His appointment marked a new era for RAD, bringing fresh leadership and renewed ambition to our mission. Under his guidance, we focused on strengthening partnerships, enhancing service delivery and modernising our brand and digital presence.
We also took major steps forward in advocacy, accessibility and technology – including an investment into Signapse, an innovative AI-powered accessibility tool. This commitment to innovation and inclusion remains at the heart of everything we do.
Key highlights from 2023-2024
- Expanding our services – Worked with 29 local authorities to ensure deaf people could access the support they needed.
- Supporting deaf individuals – Provided 4,965 hours of advice services on employment, benefits, and personal challenges.
- BSL communication and translation – Facilitated 2,620 bookings for BSL interpreters and provided 146 days of translation services.
- Independent Living support – Delivered 32,918 hours of community support, empowering deaf people to live independently.
- Investing in accessibility – Committed £100,000 into Signapse to drive digital inclusion.
- A new home for RAD – Purchased a London headquarters and client hub to better serve the deaf community.
Laying the foundation for the future
While our 2021-24 achievements were significant, they also laid the groundwork for the future of RAD. The challenges faced by the deaf community are ongoing, and we remain committed to pushing for greater accessibility, stronger services and wider recognition of deaf rights.
In the years ahead, we will continue to:
- Strengthen core services – Expanding our work in interpreting, advocacy and employment support.
- Champion deaf rights – Working with government and organisations to influence long-term change.
- Build new partnerships – Collaborating with businesses and public services to improve accessibility.
- Invest in innovation – Using new technologies and digital tools to enhance inclusion.
To support this new direction, we have renewed our strategy and outlined a five-year plan for our new strategic ambitions for 2024-29. These are:
Growth and Longevity:
Explore opportunities to maximise income generation | Ensure services evolve to meet changing needs | Empower deaf people to be independent and informed | Work in partnership with mainstream organisations to ensure deaf people are heard and acknowledged
Finance and Sustainability:
Manage our resources to ensure financial resilience and maximise opportunities to ensure financial and operational sustainability
Collaboration and Influence:
Increase awareness and influence change by working with partners and the deaf community to secure our future | Work in collaboration with other likeminded organisations to ensure equitability and accessibility for deaf people
Community and Inclusivity:
Develop and innovate services that benefit deaf people | Ensure RAD is diverse and inclusive | Improve access to services that deaf people want and need
A message from our CEO
Dr Mark Wheatley, CEO of RAD, reflects on the impact of 2023-24 and the organisation’s future:
“Looking back at 2023-24, it was a year of real progress for RAD. We grew our services, strengthened our advocacy work, and made critical investments in technology and accessibility. But our work is far from over. The road ahead is filled with opportunities to make an even bigger impact, and we are ready to take on the challenge. I want to thank everyone – our staff, trustees, funders and partners – who helped us make a difference last year. The journey continues, and we are more determined than ever to create a more inclusive world for deaf people.”
Thank you for your ongoing support
The impact of our work in 2023-24 was only possible because of our incredible colleagues, volunteers, trustees, funders and supporters. Your dedication enables us to continue breaking down barriers and empowering deaf individuals across the UK.
Read the full 2023-24 Annual Report here.
