What Dedicon does

Dedicon, headquartered in Grave, Netherlands, is an independent accessibility services organization founded in 1960 and operating under the trading name 'Huis van Toegankelijkheid' (House of Accessibility). With 101-250 employees, two production sites (Grave and Rijswijk), 27 professional audio studios, and 24/7 Braille printing operations, Dedicon converts text and images into accessible formats for blind, visually impaired, dyslexic, and reading-disabled individuals. The core product portfolio spans Braille books and music scores (compliant with Dutch-Flemish standards), DAISY audiobooks, tactile drawings via swelling-paper technology, enlarged-print materials, EPUB files, educational text files, FotoPDFs, hybrid reading formats (notably Karaokelezen synchronized read-along), and audio/image description services. Supporting platforms include the Educatief web shop for self-serve ordering, the LEX reading app, the Yoleo gamified reading app, and the De Leesbutler enterprise platform hosting 300+ spoken-format publications for government and corporate clients.

Dedicon operates a multi-channel go-to-market combining direct enterprise sales (publishers, schools, municipalities, museums, transit authorities), self-serve e-commerce for individual students and consumers, and channel partnerships led by Bibliotheekservice Passend Lezen (87,000+ spoken books, ~1M items shipped annually, including free Braille mail under Dutch law). Revenue is generated through one-time accessible-material sales, recurring subscriptions (Passend Lezen library membership), custom B2B production services (lead times 4-12 weeks depending on format), distribution handling, and marketplace-style commissions on De Leesbutler. Primary customer segments are schools (K-12 accessible textbooks and music education), publishers (consulting, conversion, training), and libraries (consortium distribution); secondary segments are government/municipalities, museums, transportation, and leisure venues (including Efteling).

The business is underpinned by 65+ years of accumulated expertise, specialized labor (e.g., Braille music transcribers, voice coaches), adherence to Braille Autorität standards, and Dutch regulatory drivers (free Braille postage, UN Convention accessibility obligations). Anchor partnerships include Paragon Group (election ballot accessibility, ~4M Braille pages annually), the Braille Autorität standards body, expert centers Visio and Bartiméus, and Dutch universities for R&D. Dedicon discloses no funding rounds, no parent organization, and no public revenue figures; the entity is privately held and self-governed.

Name

Dedicon

Legal name

Dedicon

Website

https://dedicon.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Dedicon is a Dutch accessibility services organization founded in 1960 that produces Braille, DAISY audio, tactile drawings, large print, and hybrid reading formats for blind, visually impaired, and dyslexic readers, serving schools, publishers, libraries, government, and cultural institutions across the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Accessible Publishing Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Printing (32312), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741), Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652)

akta.pro primary industry

Accessible & Alternative Format Materials (Braille, Large Print, Audio, Tactile Graphics) (EDAGAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification) (EDAKAIAF), Assistive Reading & Writing Tools (Text-to-Speech, Speech-to-Text, OCR, Dyslexia Support) (EDAFAKAA), Accessible Media Production (Alt Formats, Captioning, Audio Description) (EDALAGAC), Translation, Language Accessibility & Reading Support Tools (e.g., TTS, Captions, Immersive Reader) (EDAFAOAL)

Keywords

• Accessible publishing services
• Braille production services
• Tactile graphics production
• Audiobook DAISY production
• Assistive reading materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Grave

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Accessible Educational Materials Sales: Sale of accessible school and study books in various formats (braille, audio/Daisy, large print, EPUB, tactile drawings) through the Dedicon Educatief web shop for students with reading disabilities.
2. Subscription Services: Subscription-based services including Passend Lezen library membership providing access to over 87,000 spoken books and Bibliotheekservice for ongoing access to accessible materials.
3. Custom Production Services: Custom accessible format production services for publishers, government agencies, museums, and organizations. Includes braille, audio, large print, and tactile materials produced to specification.
4. Distribution Services: Physical and digital distribution of accessible materials including CD shipping and streaming services. Braille post is free under Dutch law for blind readers.
5. De Leesbutler Platform: Digital platform for organizations to distribute their content in spoken form to blind and visually impaired readers. Organizations pay for inclusion of their publications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Dedicon produces accessible versions of text and images for blind, visually impaired, and dyslexic readers through research, development, advisory, and production services. Core offerings include braille books, DAISY audiobooks, tactile drawings and maps, large print enlargements, EPUB and educational text files, hybrid reading forms such as karaokelezen, and apps/games like LEX and Yoleo. The company operates production facilities in Grave and Rijswijk, including 27 audio studios and braille machines running 24/7, and distributes via its Educatief Webshop, the De Leesbutler platform, the LEX app, and physical mail.

Product overview

Dedicon operates as a comprehensive accessibility services organization offering a multi-format portfolio of accessible reading solutions for blind, visually impaired, and dyslexic individuals. The core offering spans physical products (braille books, tactile maps, large print materials) and digital formats (DAISY audio, EPUB, Edu-text files, FotoPDF). Key product lines include the Op de Tast tactile education series (55+ titles), Braille Music Scores (1,031 items), Maak Muziek! accessible music lesson packages, and the Yoleo reading game for children with reading difficulties. Supporting platforms include the Educatief Webshop for ordering, De Leesbutler digital distribution platform, and the LEX reading app for streaming. Services extend to audio description, image description, conversion services, and distribution (handling over 1 million items annually including free braille postage). The organization also produces specialized audio magazines (11 titles) through De Voorste Kamer editorial team and provides smart signage solutions for independent navigation. The portfolio is unified by the mission of making text and image accessible through readable, audible, tactile, and visible formats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gesproken Boeken (Spoken Books / DAISY Audio) Audiobooks and spoken materials produced by human voice actors, including newspapers, magazines, and literary works, delivered in DAISY format with a navigable index structure compatible with speech control and braille displays, for blind, visually impaired, and dyslexic readers.
• Braille Production Production of braille books, election ballots, music scores, and other printed materials following Dutch-Flemish braille standards on machines operating 24/7, for blind readers across education, government, and culture.
• Voelbare Tekeningen (Tactile Drawings / Relief) Tactile images produced on swelling paper where black ink expands when heated to create raised lines, allowing blind individuals to feel and interpret visual content for education, museums, and cultural venues.
• Voelbare Plattegronden (Tactile Maps) Tactile maps and plans for stations, cities, evacuation routes, and geographical areas, featuring braille text, tactile textures, and QR codes for audio descriptions, used by transit authorities, municipalities, and cultural venues.
• Vergrotingen (Large Print Enlargements) Large print materials including JumboLetter books with extra-large fonts and A3-format enlargements produced for people with visual impairments.
• EPUB Production Digital text files in EPUB format, compatible with screen readers and other assistive devices, for publishers and schools producing content for readers with reading disabilities.
• Edu-tekstbestanden (Educational Text Files) Educational text files designed for students with reading disabilities, optimized for accessibility and compatibility with assistive technology, used in primary and secondary education.
• FotoPDF Photographic PDF files providing visual content in an accessible format for users with reading disabilities.
• Hybride Leesvormen (Hybrid Reading Forms incl. Karaokelezen) Combined reading formats such as karaokelezen (reading while listening with synchronized text highlighting), integrating multiple sensory channels for enhanced comprehension by readers with learning difficulties or visual impairments.
• Audiodescriptie (Audio Description Service) Audio description service for TV, film, and video content that describes visual elements between dialogue for blind and visually impaired viewers.
• Beeldbeschrijving (Image Description Service) Description services for static visual content, artworks, and images to make visual information accessible to blind and visually impaired individuals, used by museums, publishers, and cultural venues.
• Conversiedienst (Conversion Service) Service that converts documents and materials into accessible formats (braille, audio, EPUB, large print, FotoPDF) for organizations producing content for readers with visual impairments or dyslexia.
• Educatief Webshop (Educational Webshop) Self-service online webstore where schools, teachers, and parents can order accessible school books and educational materials in braille, audio, large print, and other accessible formats.
• Braille Bladmuziek (Braille Music Scores) Specialized braille music transcription for musicians from beginner to professional level, covering classical, pop, jazz, and film music genres, representing rare global expertise.
• Maak Muziek! (Make Music!) Music lesson packages designed specifically for blind and visually impaired students, including ukulele, recorder, and piano braille method courses.
• Op de Tast Serie (Tactile Education Series) Collection of over 55 tactile books covering science, geography, history, mathematics, and cultural topics, designed for blind and visually impaired students from primary through secondary education.
• LEX Voorleesapp (LEX Reading App) Mobile and desktop application for streaming accessible books and reading materials, developed and supplied by Dedicon for blind, visually impaired, and dyslexic readers.
• De Leesbutler Digital distribution platform that delivers spoken versions of organizational content (member magazines, tax forms, annual reports, guides) to blind and visually impaired readers, with organizations paying for inclusion of their publications.
• Distributie (Distribution Service) Distribution service handling physical shipping (braille books, CDs, enlargements) and digital delivery of accessible materials to end users, with free braille postage under Dutch law and over 1 million items shipped annually.
• Yoleo Reading Game Innovative reading game combining reading and listening in a karaoke-style format for children with reading difficulties, featuring a digital bookcase with youth literature and gamification elements where children earn points by reading.
• Slimme Wegwijzers (Smart Signage) Interactive street name signs with readable, tactile, and audible information using 3D technology with braille text and QR codes for audio information, enabling blind and visually impaired people to navigate public spaces independently.
• De Voorste Kamer Luistertijdschriften (Listening Magazines) Collection of 11 audio magazine titles and podcasts produced by an independent editorial team for blind and visually impaired readers, including titles such as Hardop, Klinkklaar, Zapp!, Moet Je Horen, and Zienswijs, serving 3,000+ subscribers.
• Productieverzoek (Production Request Service) Request service for producing accessible versions of books or materials not currently in the catalog, with estimated lead times of 4-12 weeks depending on format complexity.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million CDs distributed annually with Braille mail free under Dutch law for blind readers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Paragon Group (formerly PostNL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduces accessible candidate lists and ballots for elections in braille, large print, audio, and electronic formats for municipalities and watersheds
• Royal Joh. EnschedécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrint security and identification solutions company involved in producing accessible election materials for European and national elections
• TU DelftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on evacuation maps, working together with TU Eindhoven and expertise centers Visio and Bartiméus
• TU EindhovenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on evacuation maps for building accessibility, meeting NEN and ISO standards
• VisiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpertise center for blind and visually impaired individuals collaborating on evacuation maps and educational methodologies (Leerweg 3D-2D)
• BartiméuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpertise center for blind and visually impaired individuals collaborating on evacuation maps and educational methodologies
• Bibliotheekservice Passend LezenflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey distribution partner providing library services to blind and visually impaired readers with over 87,000 spoken books and exclusive access to De Voorste Kamer audio magazines
• Vervoerregio AmsterdamcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProduced tactile metro network map for Amsterdam's North/South line and surrounding transit network, developed in collaboration with Oogvereniging and Cliëntenbelang Amsterdam
• OogverenigingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatient organization for visually impaired individuals that collaborated on the Amsterdam metro network tactile map project
• Cliëntenbelang AmsterdamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy organization for clients in Amsterdam that collaborated on the tactile metro network map accessibility project
• VVV HaarlemminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTourist information office distributing tactile city walking tours for blind and visually impaired visitors to Haarlem
• De Vroente (Vlaams Kennis- en Vormingscentrum voor Natuur en Milieu)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVisitors center of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide commissioned tactile maps for the Vlinderpad walking trail designed for blind and visually impaired hikers
• EftelingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTheme park commissioned tactile overview map with braille and high-contrast colors for blind and visually impaired visitors
• Gemeente DantumadielminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrisian municipality commissioned tactile station map for Feanwâlden train station, developed in collaboration with Coalitie Kom Erbij!
• De Voorste KamercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent editorial team housed at Dedicon producing 11 audio magazine titles and podcasts for visually impaired readers. Serves 3,000+ subscribers with over 16,360 minutes of content annually
• Braille AutoriteitcoreTechnology or IntegrationStandards body for Dutch and Flemish braille that establishes the braille standards (including 2019 6-point standard and 2023 8-point standard) that Dedicon follows
• Gemeente GraveminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHome municipality of Dedicon's headquarters that pioneered 'praatplaatjes' (talking signs) with braille and QR codes for blind residents and visitors

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People): UK charity providing accessible formats (braille, audio, large print), library services and assistive technology to blind and partially sighted people. Closest international comparable to Dedicon in mission, product mix (braille/audio/large print), and library distribution model.
• Learning Ally: US nonprofit (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic) producing audiobooks and accessible educational content for students with reading disabilities including dyslexia, blindness and visual impairment. Comparable in educational focus, audio library scale, and school distribution model.
• Bookshare (Benetech): Online accessible ebook library for people with print disabilities, operated by Benetech. Comparable to Dedicon's digital content distribution and subscription library model, with overlap in serving students with reading disabilities through schools.

Regional players

• Legimus / MTM (Swedish Library of Talking Books and Braille): Swedish state-funded talking books and braille library serving print-disabled readers in Sweden. Comparable in subscription-based accessible library service and audiobook production, with similar public-sector mandate.
• NLB (Norsk lyd- og blindeskriftbibliotek): Norwegian library of talking books and braille, producing DAISY audiobooks and braille materials for print-disabled readers. Comparable in DAISY audio production, library subscription model, and Nordic regulatory support.
• Vision Australia: Australian provider of accessible library services (braille, audio, large print), adaptive technology, and advocacy for people who are blind or have low vision. Comparable in accessible library and content production services, focused on the Australian market.
• CELIA (Centro Español del Subtitulado y la Audiodescripción): Spanish accessible library service producing audiobooks, braille, and accessible formats for blind and visually impaired users. Comparable in accessible production capabilities and library distribution model, but focused on the Spanish market.
• SBS / Senso (Swiss Library for the Blind): Swiss library producing accessible formats (braille, audio, large print) for visually impaired and print-disabled users in Switzerland. Comparable in multi-format accessible production and library service model.

Broad incumbents

• Texthelp: Global provider of assistive literacy and accessibility software (Read&Write, Equatio, OrbitNote) used in education to support learners with dyslexia and other reading difficulties. Comparable as a digital reading-support tool for inclusive education, but competes via software rather than accessible content production.

Others

• DAISY Consortium: International standards body that defines the DAISY accessible audiobook standard, which Dedicon uses for its core audio production. A key ecosystem enabler rather than competitor; deeply relevant to Dedicon's format standards strategy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dedicon
• Xx.com/dedicon
• Facebookfacebook.com/grenzelooslezen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dedicon