DAISY Consortium
DAISY Consortium is a 30-year-old international non-profit that develops global accessibility standards (DAISY Format, EPUB Accessibility, eBraille) and open-source software tools for accessible digital publishing, serving people with print disabilities, the libraries and agencies that produce accessible content, and mainstream publishers pursuing inclusive publishing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What DAISY Consortium does
The DAISY Consortium is a Swiss-domiciled (with the primary operating base in Royal Leamington Spa, UK) international non-profit membership organization founded in 1996, with a staff of approximately 17 plus a board of directors drawn from member organizations. It develops and maintains global standards and open-source software for accessible digital publications, targeting people with print disabilities (blindness, low vision, dyslexia, and physical print disabilities), the libraries and agencies that produce accessible content for them, mainstream publishers seeking inclusive outputs, and reading-system developers. The portfolio of standards includes the DAISY Format (digital talking book), EPUB Accessibility (built on the Open Web Platform), eBraille, DODP (DAISY Online Delivery Protocol), and PDTB (Protected Digital Talking Books), all maintained in coordination with W3C, IDPF/BISG, and the Readium Foundation.
The technical product surface consists of open-source software tools — Ace by DAISY (EPUB accessibility checker), Fido (experimental AI-assisted document accessibility), Obi and Tobi (audiobook production), Pipeline (content conversion engine), WordToEPUB (rapid EPUB creation from word processors), Save As DAISY (MS Word add-in), and MathCAT (math-to-speech/braille library integrated into JAWS, NVDA, APH BrailleBlaster, EasyReader, and Kurzweil) — distributed free of charge. Distribution occurs through self-serve open-source downloads, a free Network Partners program, four paid-or-unpaid membership tiers (Full, Associate, Individual Supporter, Friend), four regional networks (Arabic, Asia Pacific, Caribbean, Latin America/RELALIA), the DAISY Learning platform, and partnerships with organizations including W3C, BISG, Readium Foundation, Accessible Books Consortium, dzb lesen (MakeBraille), and São Mai Centre for the Blind (MuseScore integration).
Revenue is not publicly disclosed and is generated from three streams: recurring membership fees (Full Members, Associate Members), project-based grants from public-sector and foundation funders (MTM/Sweden, NLB/Norway, Google Impact, AVH/France, RNIB/UK, and others), and a free training/capacity-building platform that does not generate direct revenue. The dominant customer type is non-profit, government, or public-sector organizations (national libraries for the blind, blind federations, accessible media agencies), and the consortium is governed by a board with weighted representation from these members.
DAISY Consortium firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DAISY Consortium
- Legal name
- The DAISY Consortium
- Website
- https://daisy.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- DAISY Consortium is a 30-year-old international non-profit that develops global accessibility standards (DAISY Format, EPUB Accessibility, eBraille) and open-source software tools for accessible digital publishing, serving people with print disabilities, the libraries and agencies that produce accessible content, and mainstream publishers pursuing inclusive publishing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DAISY Consortium industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Accessibility Software & Standards
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Accessible & Alternative Format Materials (Braille, Large Print, Audio, Tactile Graphics) (EDAGAMAD), Special Education & Accessibility-Optimized Media (UDL, AAC, Captioning) (EDAGALAH), Assistive Technology for LD (Reading/Writing Tools & Training) (EDAKAJAH), Accessibility, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) & Inclusive Content Services (EDAGAKAJ), Assistive Technology-Enabled Instructional Content (AAC, Switch, Eye-Gaze Compatible) (EDAGAMAC)
Keywords
Where DAISY Consortium is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zürich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices9 records
Markets served
DAISY Consortium business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: DAISY Consortium operates as an international non-profit membership organization. The organization has various membership tiers including Full Members, Associate Members, Network Partners (free), Individual Supporters, and Friends. Revenue is derived from membership contributions.
- Project Grants and Funding: DAISY receives project-based funding from various agencies and organizations. Examples include funding from MTM (Sweden), National Library of Norway, Google Impact (for Baseline Project), and various member organizations for specific projects like the Music Braille Project.
- Training and Capacity Building: DAISY delivers training through its Learning platform (learning.daisy.org) offering self-study courses on accessible publishing, digital audio books, accessible documents, and Marrakesh Treaty advocacy.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Network Partner - Free membership for organizations working on accessible reading |
| Subscription | Annual | Full Member - For organizations producing and distributing accessible content |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Software Tools - Free and open-source |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
DAISY Consortium product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The DAISY Consortium develops and promotes international standards (DAISY Format, EPUB, eBraille, DODP, PDTB) and open-source software tools (Ace, Obi, Tobi, Pipeline, WordToEPUB, Fido, Save As DAISY) that enable accessible digital reading and publishing for people with print disabilities. It operates as a membership-based non-profit serving libraries, publishers, and accessibility service organizations worldwide, and supports the transition of specialist accessibility workflows into the mainstream EPUB 3 ecosystem.
Product overview
The DAISY Consortium offers a suite of accessible publishing and reading tools centered around EPUB and DAISY format standards. The core product portfolio includes Ace by DAISY (EPUB accessibility checker), Fido (AI-powered document accessibility tool), Obi (audiobook production), Pipeline (content conversion engine), Tobi (human-narrated audiobook authoring), Save As DAISY (Word add-in), and WordToEPUB (EPUB creation tool). Additionally, DAISY supports specialized tools including MakeBraille (music braille conversion) and MuseScore integration for accessible music publishing. These tools work together to enable accessible digital publication creation, conversion, validation, and consumption for people with print disabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ace by DAISY
- Obi
- Tobi
- Pipeline
- WordToEPUB
- Fido
- Save As DAISY
- Reading Apps User Requirements specification
- DAISY Learning Platform self-study courses
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 150 global partner organizations working on accessible reading
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use DAISY Consortium
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
DAISY Consortium technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability2 records
Feature10 records
DAISY Consortium partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- W3CcoreDAISY Consortium collaborates with W3C on reading system accessibility evaluation. The epubtest.org domain is owned by W3C while the website is hosted on a DAISY server. DAISY represents members in W3C Publishing Working Group and EPUB 3 Community Group to ensure accessibility requirements are incorporated in future versions of publishing standards.
- BISG (Book Industry Study Group)majorDAISY collaborated with BISG and IDPF for creating the Reading System Accessibility Screening area on epubtest.org. BISG collaboration continues for promoting reading system evaluation methodology and accessible publishing.
- DediconcoreDAISY member that proposed and financially supported the development of the DAISY Reading Apps User Requirements specification. Dedicon is a leading accessible publishing organization in The Netherlands.
- Music Braille Production NetworkmajorInternational network of music braille producers established to enable agencies to locate and procure music braille productions more efficiently. Includes organizations from Vision Australia, SBS Switzerland, dzb lesen, NLB Norway, and others.
- Readium FoundationmajorDAISY Consortium contributes to the development of Readium 2 open source reading systems, helping improve feature sets for people with disabilities to build confidence for consumption of EPUB 3 content.
- MakeBraille (dzb lesen)majorDAISY Music Braille Project supported the development and testing of an online professional automated music braille conversion tool developed by dzb lesen (Leipzig). It converts scanned print scores and MusicXML files into music braille according to international requirements.
- MuseScore with Sao Mai BraillemajorDAISY supported accessibility improvements in mainstream music notation software MuseScore and development of Sao Mai Braille from Sao Mai Centre for the Blind (Vietnam), allowing blind musicians to read, write, explore and output music in accessible ways including braille, speech, sound and print.
- Inclusive Publishing PartnerscoreDAISY collaborates with international organizations representing publishers, technology companies and people with disabilities through the Inclusive Publishing website and joint activities. Partner categories include publishers, technology companies and disability representatives.
- European Inclusive Publishing Forum ParticipantsmajorCollaboration network supporting implementation of European Accessibility Act. Open participation from organizations including blind/print disabled organizations, libraries, publishers, digital library platforms, and assistive technology developers across Europe and beyond.
- Accessible Books Consortium (ABC)coreDAISY participates in Accessible Books Consortium activities including capacity building projects in 14 countries, ABC Global Book Service, and joint initiatives for accessible publishing standards.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DAISY Consortium competitors and assessment
Company assessmentPeers
- Accessible Books Consortium (ABC):
Direct peers
- Benetech: Non-profit operator of Bookshare, the world's largest accessible digital library. Direct peer — produces and distributes accessible digital books, sits on the DAISY Board, and shares overlapping member communities.
- American Printing House for the Blind (APH): US-based producer of accessible educational materials and braille products for the blind. Direct peer — produces accessible content, sits on the DAISY Board, and MathCAT is integrated into APH's BrailleBlaster.
- RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People): UK charity producing accessible formats (audio, braille, e-text) and representing blind users. Direct peer and DAISY Board member — comparable accessible content production and standards engagement.
- NLS/BPD (Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled): US federal library service producing and distributing braille and audio books to print-disabled patrons. Direct peer — DAISY Board Treasurer seat, comparable accessible publishing and distribution mandate.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DAISY Consortium social profiles
Digital presenceDAISY Consortium financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DAISY Consortium leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
DAISY Consortium funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DAISY Consortium 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 DAISY Consortium
What does DAISY Consortium do?
The DAISY Consortium develops and promotes international standards (DAISY Format, EPUB, eBraille, DODP, PDTB) and open-source software tools (Ace, Obi, Tobi, Pipeline, WordToEPUB, Fido, Save As DAISY) that enable accessible digital reading and publishing for people with print disabilities. It operates as a membership-based non-profit serving libraries, publishers, and accessibility service organizations worldwide, and supports the transition of specialist accessibility workflows into the mainstream EPUB 3 ecosystem.
Is DAISY Consortium a public or private company?
DAISY Consortium is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was DAISY Consortium founded?
DAISY Consortium was founded in 1996. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is DAISY Consortium based?
DAISY Consortium is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does DAISY Consortium make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are project Grants and Funding and training and Capacity Building.
Who are DAISY Consortium's main competitors?
Accessible Books Consortium (ABC) is listed as a peer. Direct peers are Benetech, American Printing House for the Blind (APH), RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) and NLS/BPD (Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled).
Does DAISY Consortium have an API?
No public API is recorded for DAISY Consortium.
What industry is DAISY Consortium in?
DAISY Consortium's product category is Accessibility Software & Standards. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDALAGAB, Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools, with a secondary code of EDAGAMAD, Accessible & Alternative Format Materials (Braille, Large Print, Audio, Tactile Graphics). Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7372.