Company History

Mission Statement

"Improving the quality of life of visually impaired and dyslexic people - reaching out with simple and effective solutions"

Optelec

Based in Barendrecht, the Netherlands, Optelec is the leading designer and manufacturer of life-changing assisstive technologies for people who are visually impaired and dyslexic. Optelec continues to be the global front-runner with a multi-tier distribution in more than 60 countries. Sales offices have been established in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands and the company supports a strong distribution network throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The company's flagship, the ClearView+ line, magnifies text and photos up to 72 times, bringing life back into focus for those living with low vision by incorporating product intelligence with a sleek modular design. New products like the Compact+ and the FarView reinforce Optelec's strong commitment to the low vision community. The Alva series of Braille terminals provide Braille users with complete control of their laptop or desktop computer from a selection of Braille displays which excel in ingenuity, durability, and affordability. The user-friendly, wireless EasyLink Braille series guarantees portable cellular phone and PDA access for active participation within the mainstream global information community.

Supported by American Associations of Opthalmologists, Optometrists and Occupational Therapists, Optelec has launched LowVision.com, the first ever information and referral hub for the visually impaired. Optelec has also launched the first ever low vision e-commerce website ShopLowVision.com with 4,000+ products and a business to business, business to consumer and business to professional interface all in one.
 

History

In 1975 Mr. F.J. Tieman, an optician by trade, developed the first video magnifier in Oostvoorne, the Netherlands for a customer who could no longer read using her spectacles. After this initial success he launched the first series of Tieman video magnifiers. Demand grew exponentially, resulting in the establishment of a new factory in Barendrecht, which is now the headquarters of the Optelec Group.

In the mid eighties, Tieman obtained the first patent on refreshable Braille cell technology, establishing itself as the market’s premier Braille cell. The first generation of complete Braille displays were launched in 1988 at the World Blind Union Exhibition in Madrid.

At the beginning of the nineties, the first international step was taken and Tieman GmbH was founded in Schwalmstadt, Germany. From that date on the company grew rapidly, and in 1997 established Optelec US. Next, the leading North American manufacturer of video magnifiers and Optelec Canada were acquired, resulting in Tieman GmbH becoming a globalized force within the industry.

In May 2005 Tieman globally changed its name to Optelec. At the same time, Optelec introduced several new products, including the EasyLink. That same year Optelec acquired the business of the ALVA Satellite Braille displays, its main competitor in the Netherlands.

Then in 2006, Lighthouse Professional Products was acquired to complete Optelec’s product portfolio to serve customers that experience the widest range of visual impairments.

Most recently Optelec announced new hand-held devices for the dyslexic, the ClearView+ Ultra Flexible Arm with HD technology and the FarView. Optelec's reinvigorated commitment to accelerate innovation continues to strengthen the push to develop and design cutting edge technology in the low vision and dyslexic communities. We take pride in our efforts to be at the forefront of these endevors.

Corporate Video

Our Commitment

We at Optelec want to make a difference in improving the lives of visually-impaired and dyslexic people. We want to play an increasing role in the aging population coping with vision loss and increase awareness, so that optical and electronic tools are readily available for those in need. And, for people who feel they have exhausted all of their options, we want to be a beacon of light and offer useful solutions. We will continue to make every effort to provide solutions that allow the visually impaired and dyslexic to harness their capabilities and remaining vision so that they can remain active and enjoy life.