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 assistive technologies for visually impaired and dyslexic people.  Optelec continues to be the global front-runner with a multi-tier distribution in more than 60 countries, including dedicated subsidiary sales offices In Belgium, Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States of America.  The company also supports a strong network of distributors worldwide.

The company's flagship product, the best-selling ClearView⁺, 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.  Award-winning products like the Compact⁺ and the innovative 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. 

 

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 their spectacles.  After this initial success, the first series of Tieman video magnifiers were launched and 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.  Furthermore, the Optelec Group continued to expand with offices established in the US (1997) and UK (2002).

In May 2005, Tieman globally changed its name to Optelec.  At the same time, Optelec introduced several new products, including the best-selling ClearView+.  That same year Optelec acquired the business of the Netherlands-based ALVA, a significant provider of Braille technology.

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.

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.

 

Membership of The British Healthcare Trades Association

The British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) is the largest and most established healthcare trade organisation.  Optelec Limited in the UK are proud to be a member of the BHTA and in doing so are signed up to a Code of Practice, which sets the standard by which all member organisations must meet to demonstrate best practice.  The Code of Practice is recognised as the UK industry standard and means that member companies trade ethically and professionally.