NV Access
NV Access is a Brisbane-based Australian charity and software company that develops NVDA, a free, open-source Windows screen reader serving blind and vision-impaired users globally through direct download, training bundles, certification, and consulting.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersBrisbane, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What NV Access does
NV Access is a Brisbane-based, Australian-registered charity (ABN 96 149 271 036) and software development organization founded in 2006 by Michael Curran ("Mick") and Jamie. The company develops and maintains NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access), a free, open-source screen reader for Microsoft Windows distributed under the GPL-2 license and downloaded directly from nvaccess.org with no registration or payment required. NVDA translates on-screen visual information into speech output (via OneCore, SAPI5, SAPI4, or eSpeak NG synthesizers) and braille output (via Liblouis), enabling blind and vision-impaired users to operate Windows computers and applications. The product is built primarily in Python 3.13 and integrates with major platforms including Microsoft Office, LibreOffice, Adobe Acrobat, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Visual Studio Code, and remote-desktop environments such as Citrix and VMware Horizon. The roadmap through 2025-2026 has added Remote Access (TLS-encrypted remote control), MathCAT-based math reading, a built-in Magnifier, and an Add-on Store with VirusTotal scanning and automatic updates.
The organization operates a hybrid charity/commercial model. The core NVDA product is given away free, consistent with the stated mission of removing cost as a barrier to computer access, while paid revenue is generated from optional training materials (Basic Training for NVDA eBook at AUD $32), the NVDA Productivity Bundle of training modules plus telephone or online support at AUD $199 (discounted from AUD $225), NVDA Expert Certification at AUD $100, and custom consulting and add-on development services for corporate and government clients. Go-to-market combines product-led growth through free direct download with an enterprise field-sales motion for the Productivity Bundle, expert certification, and consulting. Additional funding flows from tax-deductible donations (Australia), philanthropic support (The Nippon Foundation), NDIS reimbursement in Australia, and integration partnerships with Google, Microsoft, Adobe, Salesforce, and Intopia. NV Access employs 1-10 staff and operates globally, with the NVDA user community contributing 700+ pull requests per year from 30+ active community developers.
The company's competitive position rests on a 20-year track record, explicit endorsement by major platform vendors, compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA, Section 508, EN301 549, GDPR, and HIPAA, and a scale metric of 250,000+ users enabled against an addressable market of 285 million blind and vision-impaired people worldwide.
NV Access firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NV Access
- Legal name
- NV Access Limited
- Website
- https://nvaccess.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- NV Access is a Brisbane-based Australian charity and software company that develops NVDA, a free, open-source Windows screen reader serving blind and vision-impaired users globally through direct download, training bundles, certification, and consulting.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NV Access industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Assistive Technology / Accessibility Software
- akta.pro primary industry
- Assistive Vision & Screen Access (Screen Readers, Magnification, Braille Displays/Notetakers) (EDAFAKAD)
Keywords
Where NV Access is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brisbane
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
NV Access business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Software Donation: NVDA is provided free of charge as a core charitable mission. Users who can afford to contribute are encouraged to make donations, which are tax-deductible in Australia. This represents the primary community-facing revenue approach.
- Training Materials Sales: Sale of training materials including the Basic Training for NVDA eBook (AUD $32), NVDA Productivity Bundle (AUD $199), and other learning resources. Bulk discounts available for organizations ordering 10+ copies.
- Expert Certification: NVDA Expert Certification exam and listing service for AUD $100, enabling individuals to prove their NVDA skills and be listed as certified experts for organizations seeking local support.
- Consulting Services: Custom development and consulting services for organizations requiring specialized accessibility work, in-house software accessibility improvements, or custom add-on development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | NVDA Screen Reader - Free |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Basic Training for NVDA eBook |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | NVDA Expert Certification |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | NVDA Productivity Bundle |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
NV Access product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NV Access develops and distributes NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access), a free, open-source screen reader for Microsoft Windows that translates on-screen visual information into speech or braille output for blind and vision-impaired users. The organization complements this core software with paid offerings including the Basic Training for NVDA eBook (AUD $32), NVDA Expert Certification (AUD $100), the NVDA Productivity Bundle with training modules and telephone/online support (AUD $199), and custom accessibility consulting services for corporate and government clients.
Product overview
NV Access offers NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access), a free, open-source screen reader for Microsoft Windows. The core product translates visual on-screen content into speech (via OneCore, SAPI5, SAPI4, or eSpeak NG synthesizers) or braille output for blind and vision-impaired users. NVDA includes built-in features such as the Add-on Store for extensions, Remote Access for controlling another computer running NVDA, and a new Magnifier feature (2026.2). The product ecosystem includes training materials (Basic Training for NVDA eBook at AUD $32.00), professional certification (NVDA Expert Certification at AUD $100.00), and the NVDA Productivity Bundle (AUD $199.00) combining training modules with telephone/online support for corporate users. NV Access is a registered charity in Australia.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access): Free, open source screen reader software for Microsoft Windows that enables blind and vision-impaired users to access computers.
Products and services
- NVDA Screen Reader (Non-Visual Desktop Access) A free, open-source screen reader for Microsoft Windows that translates visual on-screen information into speech or braille, enabling blind and vision-impaired users to access computers, applications, and the web. Licensed under GPL-2 or later.
- Basic Training for NVDA (eBook) Comprehensive electronic-text training manual for learning NVDA screen reader, sold at AUD $32.00 per copy with bulk discounts available for orders of 10 or more.
- NVDA Expert Certification Industry-recognized professional certification for individuals to demonstrate NVDA skills, listed on the NV Access certified experts page for organizations seeking local support. Priced at AUD $100.00.
- NVDA Productivity Bundle Suite of learning resources and support including training modules and telephone or online support for corporate users to ensure employees are well-skilled with NVDA. Priced at AUD $199.00 (reduced from AUD $225.00), with bulk discount automatically applied for 10+ copies.
- Accessibility Consulting and Development Services Custom development and consulting services for organizations requiring specialized accessibility work, in-house software accessibility improvements, or custom NVDA add-on development.
Quantifiable outcome
- 250,000+ people enabled to gain freedom, education and employment
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use NV Access
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
NV Access technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration24 records
AI capability3 records
Feature8 records
NV Access partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- MicrosoftcoreMicrosoft works with NV Access on NVDA compatibility and development. NVDA provides accessibility for Windows and Microsoft products. Microsoft also supports open-source initiatives.
- GooglecoreGoogle collaborates with NV Access on browser accessibility and development. NVDA provides accessibility for Google products including Chrome.
- AdobecoreAdobe works with NV Access to ensure NVDA compatibility with Adobe products, particularly for PDF accessibility support.
- IntopiasupportingIntopia is a digital accessibility consultancy that works with NV Access and provides NVDA-related services to clients.
- SalesforcesupportingSalesforce partners with NV Access for accessibility initiatives, with NVDA supporting Salesforce platform accessibility.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
NV Access competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Aira: Aira provides on-demand visual interpretation services for blind and low-vision users via smart glasses and a network of remote agents. It represents an emerging alternative or complement to screen readers, addressing visual access through human-assisted AI rather than software on the user's device.
- ViewPlus: ViewPlus produces tactile graphics embossers and the IVEO tactile player software, serving blind and vision-impaired users in educational and scientific contexts. It overlaps with NVDA's accessibility user base and complements NVDA's growing support for tactile graphics devices like the Dot Pad.
- OrCam: OrCam builds AI-powered wearable assistive devices (MyEye, OrCam Read) that read text and faces aloud for blind and vision-impaired users. It represents an emerging category of AI-driven assistive technology that competes for the same end users with a different form factor.
Others
- HumanWare: HumanWare manufactures braille displays, note takers, and other assistive hardware that NVDA supports and integrates with (e.g., Brailliant, Monarch). It is a key ecosystem partner and adjacent player rather than a direct software competitor, but shares the same blind and low-vision customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Vispero: Vispero is the parent company of Freedom Scientific (JAWS), Optelec, and Enhanced Vision, making it the largest commercial player in the assistive technology space. It competes with NVDA broadly through JAWS in screen reading and offers an integrated hardware/software portfolio that NV Access does not match.
- TextHelp: TextHelp (now part of Don Johnston) provides a broader suite of assistive reading, writing, and literacy tools that overlap with NVDA's accessibility focus in education and enterprise. Its Read&Write product is frequently deployed alongside screen readers in schools and workplaces.
- Microsoft (Narrator): Microsoft Narrator is the built-in Windows screen reader that ships with the operating system. It is the most broadly distributed alternative to NVDA on the same Windows platform and benefits from Microsoft's continuous OS-level integration, though it typically offers less extensibility than NVDA.
- Apple (VoiceOver): Apple VoiceOver is the built-in screen reader for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. While not competing directly on Windows, it competes with NVDA broadly for blind and vision-impaired users across ecosystems and is often the default choice for users on Apple platforms.
Direct peers
- Dolphin Computer Access: Dolphin produces SuperNova and GuideConnect, screen readers and magnification tools for Windows targeted at the same blind and low-vision user base as NVDA. Dolphin competes commercially in the same procurement channels (education, enterprise, government) while NVDA competes on a free, open-source basis.
- Freedom Scientific (JAWS): Freedom Scientific's JAWS is the dominant commercial Windows screen reader and the most direct paid competitor to NVDA. Both products target blind and vision-impaired users on Windows and compete for enterprise and government accessibility deployments, with the key difference being NVDA's free, open-source positioning versus JAWS's per-seat licensing model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
NV Access social profiles
Digital presenceNV Access compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
NV Access financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NV Access leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
NV Access funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NV Access M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about NV Access
What does NV Access do?
NV Access develops and distributes NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access), a free, open-source screen reader for Microsoft Windows that translates on-screen visual information into speech or braille output for blind and vision-impaired users. The organization complements this core software with paid offerings including the Basic Training for NVDA eBook (AUD $32), NVDA Expert Certification (AUD $100), the NVDA Productivity Bundle with training modules and telephone/online support (AUD $199), and custom accessibility consulting services for corporate and government clients.
Is NV Access a public or private company?
NV Access is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was NV Access founded?
NV Access was founded in 2006. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is NV Access based?
NV Access is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does NV Access make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Software Donation is the primary driver. The others are training Materials Sales, expert Certification and consulting Services.
Who are NV Access's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Aira, ViewPlus and OrCam. HumanWare is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Vispero, TextHelp, Microsoft (Narrator) and Apple (VoiceOver). Direct peers are Dolphin Computer Access and Freedom Scientific (JAWS).
Does NV Access have an API?
No public API is recorded for NV Access.
What industry is NV Access in?
NV Access's product category is Assistive Technology / Accessibility Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAKAD, Assistive Vision & Screen Access (Screen Readers, Magnification, Braille Displays/Notetakers).