THE UNIVERSITY OF DYSLEXIC THINKING
DDB Australia | Made By Dyslexia, Virgin
The Challenge
The world judges dyslexia by its limitations. Schools and workplaces see it as a “learning disability”, despite science proving that dyslexic brains are naturally hardwired with powerful thinking skills like lateral thinking, creativity, problem-solving and communication. These are the same skills that powered brilliant dyslexic minds like Richard Branson, Albert Einstein, Agatha Christie, Steve Jobs, Pablo Picasso, Walt Disney and Thomas Edison. And the same skills that the world’s largest recruitment company, Randstad, now reports as “the most sought after in every industry around the world.”
The Solution
To help dyslexics recognise their own strengths, and show the world that thinking differently isn’t a disability, but a superpower—we created the University of Dyslexic Thinking. A new school of thought that proves dyslexia is not an impediment, but an advantage. Housed on Open University, DyslexicU is a free online university teaching the world to think like a dyslexic. Courses feature some of the world’s most successful dyslexics—including Sir Richard Branson, Keira Knightley, Jamie Oliver, Barbara Corcoran, Erin Brockovich and Orlando Bloom. Through short, interactive video modules, students learn how to apply Dyslexic Thinking as a competitive advantage across industries like Film, Entrepreneurism, Culinary Arts, AI, Peak Performance, Intelligence, Activism and more. Completed courses earn students an official Open University qualification—proof they have the modern thinking skills employers value. Richard Branson launched DyslexicU at the UN General Assembly, in front of global press and education policymakers. To expand access, courses were translated into 12 languages with AI and adapted into TikTok content—appearing on feeds in 100+ countries. DyslexicU changed how the world sees dyslexia: “DyslexicU will transform the perceptions of dyslexia around the world.” 450K+ enrollments, 107 countries represented, 4.7⭐ course rating, 400+ global media stories, 150M earned reach, 3.8B social engagements, 212% increase in searches for ‘dyslexia’.