De Kade

What De Kade does

De Kade is a Belgian nonprofit association and integrated expertise network serving children, youth, and adults with autism, visual, hearing, language, behavioral, sensory, and complex developmental disabilities. It operates four special primary schools, one special secondary school, guidance and observation or treatment centers, ambulatory rehabilitation and hearing expertise services, home guidance, residential projects, work and day activities, and accessible toy libraries. More than 3,000 learners and care users rely on these services in and around Bruges.\n\nThe underlying delivery model combines education, care, diagnostics, rehabilitation, and individualized support through specialized personnel and disability-specific methods. De Kade develops adapted tactile maps, relief drawings, sensory materials, an eight-exercise CVI experience kit, a language-profile tool, accessible publications, and customized toys and games. The CVI Inleefkoffer is sold for €1,200 including VAT, training, and post-sale advice, while the TOS Taalprofiel is sold for €15 per copy.\n\nThe majority of De Kade's operations are funded through VAPH and other government subsidies, with donations and sponsorships supporting selected projects. Additional income comes from annual toy-library memberships and rentals, inclusive retail and food work projects, and specialist publications and products; proceeds from the work projects are reinvested in operations. Services are delivered mainly through De Kade's own facilities and referral channels, supplemented by events, information evenings, study visits, professional outreach, and its website and social media.

Name

De Kade

Legal name

vzw De Kade

Website

https://de-kade.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

De Kade is a Belgian nonprofit expertise network providing special education, care, rehabilitation, residential support, and inclusive work services to children and adults with disabilities across the Brugge region of West Flanders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education and Disability Services

NAICS

Other Residential Care Facilities (62399), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

ABA Assessment & Diagnostic Support (Functional Assessments, VB-MAPP/ABLLS-R) (EDAKAHAE)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Disability care support
• Ambulatory rehabilitation services
• Home guidance services
• Inclusive work projects

Headquarters

HQ city

Bruges

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices22 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Subsidies: The majority of De Kade's operations are funded by government subsidies, which cover basic care and education services. The organization is licensed and authorized by VAPH (Vlaams Agentschap voor Personen met een Handicap) and is recognized under the youth help framework.
2. Donations and Sponsorships: De Kade actively solicits financial donations and sponsorships for specific projects such as 'Sprong' (inclusive work projects), 'Buitenblij' (outdoor play equipment), and a solidarity fund for users with limited financial means. Donations from €40 in Belgium qualify for a tax certificate with 45% tax reduction, facilitated through the Koning Boudewijnstichting.
3. Work and Day Projects (Products and Services): The organization generates revenue through inclusive work projects including Lunchbar Kadet (restaurant in Oostkamp), Schrijfbaar (gift shop in Sint-Andries), Cadeau Blanc (gift shop in Loppem), and Studjo Kado. Proceeds from these projects are fully reinvested into the organization's operations.
4. Expertise Products and Publications: Sale of expertise products including the CVI Inleefkoffer at €1,200 (including training and post-sale advice) and the TOS Taalprofiel at €15 per copy. The organization also sells gifts through Goodgift platform and its own work projects.
5. Speel-o-theek Membership and Rentals: Speel-o-theek De Piepbal generates revenue through annual membership cards (€15 per year), rental of games and toys (up to 4 items for 4 weeks), and special rental options such as weekend formula (€10) and snoezelkoffer (price on request).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

De Kade is a non-profit organization (vzw) that provides special education, ambulatory care, home guidance, and rehabilitation services for children, youth, and adults with disabilities in the Bruges region of Belgium. The organization operates multiple special primary and secondary schools (BuBaO and BuSO), ambulatory guidance centers, an ambulatory rehabilitation center, home guidance services, residential living projects, and inclusive work projects, drawing on a multi-disciplinary network of expertise covering autism, hearing impairment, visual impairment including CVI, and developmental disabilities.

Product overview

De Kade is een Vlaams expertisenetwerk voor onderwijs, zorg, diagnostiek en begeleiding van kinderen, jongeren en volwassenen met een ontwikkelingsprobleem of beperking. De organisatie biedt een geïntegreerd portfolio van gespecialiseerde diensten: buitengewoon onderwijs (4 BuBaO-scholen en BuSO Spermalie), ambulante begeleiding en thuisbegeleidingsdiensten (Accent voor visuele beperking, BAS voor gedrags- en emotionele problemen, Perspectief voor auditieve beperking/TOS), revalidatie (CAR Spermalie en Hoorexpert), observatie- en behandeling (OBC De Berkjes), werk- en dagbestedingsprojecten (Lunchbar Kadet, Schrijfbaar, Studjo Kado), woonprojecten, en inclusieve speel-o-theken (De Piepbal en Het Anker). Daarnaast deelt De Kade expertise via publicaties (TOS Taalprofiel, Inleefkoffer CVI), podcasts ('Geprikkeld'), het magazine 't Ogenblik, outreach, en Vrijetijdswijzer voor volwassenen met autisme.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BuBaO Schools (BuBaO Spermalie, Het Anker, De Berkjes, De Polder) Special primary education schools (Buitengewoon Basisonderwijs) for children with various disabilities, including type 2, 3, and 9 profiles, as well as autism. The four schools (BuBaO Spermalie, Het Anker, De Berkjes, De Polder) serve children across the Bruges region and Damme.
• BuSO Schools (BuSO Spermalie, BuSO De Berkjes) Special secondary education schools (Buitengewoon Secundair Onderwijs) providing continuing education for youth with disabilities, building on the foundation established in BuBaO schools.
• Begeleidingscentrum De Kade Ambulatory guidance center providing support to children, youth, and adults with disabilities and their families, helping them navigate daily challenges and access appropriate services.
• Thuisbegeleiding (Accent, BAS, Perspectief) Home guidance services offering in-home support to families of children and adults with disabilities. Three programs cater to different needs: Thuisbegeleiding Accent, Thuisbegeleiding BAS, and Thuisbegeleiding Perspectief.
• CAR Spermalie Centrum voor Ambulante Revalidatie (Center for Ambulatory Rehabilitation) providing diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitation services for people with disabilities on an outpatient basis.
• Hoorexpert De Kade Hearing expertise center providing specialized support, diagnostics, and intervention for children and adults with hearing impairments.
• Speel-o-theek De Piepbal Adapted toy lending library offering modified toys to children with disabilities. Members subscribe to borrow adapted toys that have been modified to accommodate specific disabilities, with additional expertise products available for sale through the Omzetcentrum Spermalie.
• Lunchbar Kadet Inclusive work project operating a restaurant/lunch bar where adults with disabilities gain work experience and participate in adapted employment.
• Schrijfbaar Inclusive work project providing printing, copying, and binding services, offering adapted employment for adults with disabilities.
• Studjo Kado Inclusive work project providing gift packaging and wrapping services, offering adapted employment for adults with disabilities.
• De Sierkel Inclusive work project producing jewelry and accessories, offering adapted employment for adults with disabilities.
• caRgo Inclusive work project focused on cargo and transport activities, offering adapted employment for adults with disabilities.
• CVI Inleefkoffer Self-developed expertise product providing hands-on experience with CVI (Cerebral Visual Impairment) for training professionals and raising awareness among teachers, caregivers, and families.
• TOS Taalprofiel Self-developed expertise product providing a language profile tool for children with language development disorders (Taalontwikkelingsstoornis), used by professionals for assessment and intervention planning.
• Vrijetijdswijzer Leisure guide for adults with autism (Vrijetijdswijzer Volwassenen met Autisme) helping them connect with leisure activities and community engagement opportunities.
• Leersteuncentrum Spermalie - De Kade Learning support center providing support to mainstream schools for inclusive education of students with disabilities, helping regular schools accommodate pupils with special needs.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 3,000 students and care users receive support annually.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VAPH (Vlaams Agentschap voor Personen met een Handicap)coreOthersVAPH is the Flemish Agency for Persons with Disabilities, which licenses and funds disability care and education organizations in Flanders. De Kade is officially licensed and authorized by VAPH, and operates within the regulatory framework established by VAPH for disability services. This is the primary regulatory partnership governing De Kade's operations.
• JeugdhulpcoreOthersJeugdhulp (Youth Care) is the Flemish youth support framework. De Kade operates within this framework, providing youth care services for children and young people with disabilities in partnership with the broader youth care system.
• Koning Boudewijnstichting (King Baudouin Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDe Kade partners with the Koning Boudewijnstichting to process fiscal attestations for donations. Donors making gifts of €40 or more to De Kade receive a tax certificate through this foundation, enabling a 45% tax deduction. The foundation manages the 'Fonds des amis de Kade' fund.
• Vrij CLB De HavensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDe Kade works with Vrij CLB De Havens, a Center for Student Guidance, which provides counseling and support services to students. This partnership supports the integration and guidance of students within De Kade's educational programs.
• LuisterpuntminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDe Kade collaborated with Luisterpunt (listening point / audio book library) and Licht en Liefde to develop its first SAM-boek (audio/tactile book), making reading accessible for every child including those with visual impairments.
• Licht en LiefdeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with De Kade in the development of the first SAM-boek, a specialized accessible book for children with visual impairments, in collaboration with Luisterpunt.
• VOS - Vlaams Overleg SpelothekenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpeel-o-theek De Piepbal is an active member of VOS (Flemish Toy Library Platform), which meets 3-4 times per year for knowledge and experience sharing among Flemish toy libraries. De Kade plays an active role in providing content support to member toy libraries.
• ETL - European Toy LibrariesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpeel-o-theek De Piepbal participates in the European Toy Libraries (ETL) network, representing Flanders in annual exchanges with other European countries to share information and best practices.
• vzw SamenspelminorStrategic or Co-development Partnervzw Samenspel is a collaboration of four Flemish toy libraries that pool resources to lend more material and learn from each other. Speel-o-theek De Piepbal participates in this network, sharing expertise and materials across institutions.
• VDABminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVDAB (Vlaamse Dienst voor Arbeidsbemiddeling en Beroepsopleiding) is the Flemish employment service. De Kade works with VDAB for internship placements, such as the HR Support traineeship program for career changers.
• HowestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHowest university of applied sciences and arts provides degree programs through which students can intern at De Kade. The organization welcomes students from various educational backgrounds for practical experience in disability care and education.
• PaperlikeminorOthersPaperlike, an international company, featured the work of Victor Verstraete (a student at De Kade) on their ansichtkaart (greeting card), highlighting how technology enables creativity for a child with visual impairment. Paperlike shared Victor's story on their blog.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• 's Heeren Loo: Large Dutch care organization providing support to people with intellectual disabilities and autism across education, residential care, day activities, and ambulatory guidance. Directly comparable to De Kade's multi-disability residential projects, Begeleidingscentrum, and autism services (BuBaO Het Anker, BuBaO De Polder).
• Stichting Kentalis: Dutch organization providing diagnostics, care, and education for people with hearing impairments and communication disorders. Directly comparable to De Kade's Hoorexpert, CAR Spermalie, and BuSO Spermalie hearing-impaired services, with a similar integrated service model across education, rehabilitation, and home guidance.
• vzw Licht en Liefde: Flemish organization for visually impaired persons (listed as a De Kade partner for SAM-boek development). Comparable to De Kade's visual impairment services including Thuisbegeleiding Accent and BuBaO Spermalie's visual impairment specializations.
• Philadelphia Zorg: Large Dutch care organization supporting people with intellectual disabilities through residential, day activities, work projects, and ambulatory services. Comparable integrated network operating model to De Kade, with similar size (1000+ employees) and breadth of services.
• Cosis: Dutch care organization providing housing, daytime activities, and support for people with intellectual disabilities and autism. Similar multi-disciplinary, multi-location integrated service model to De Kade, though focused on northern Netherlands.
• Royal Dutch Visio: Dutch expertise center for blind and partially sighted people offering education, rehabilitation, and home guidance services. Closely comparable to De Kade's BuBaO Spermalie visual impairment focus, Speel-o-theek De Piepbal, and Thuisbegeleiding Accent.
• Bartiméus: Dutch organization providing services for people with visual impairments, including education, day activities, residential care, and expertise products. Comparable to De Kade's visual impairment services (BuBaO Spermalie, Thuisbegeleiding Accent, and Speel-o-theek De Piepbal adapted toy lending).
• Amerpoort: Dutch care organization supporting people with intellectual disabilities across housing, day activities, work projects, and ambulatory support. Comparable to De Kade's residential projects (15+), inclusive work projects (Lunchbar Kadet, Schrijfbaar), and Begeleidingscentrum for adults.

Emerging players

• Autisme Vlaanderen: Flemish association supporting individuals with autism and their families through information, advocacy, and training. Comparable to De Kade's autism programs (BuBaO Het Anker, BuBaO De Polder, Vrijetijdswijzer for adults with autism) though narrower in scope (association vs. integrated service provider).
• Specialisterne: Global social enterprise enabling employment for people with autism and similar challenges through technology-focused inclusive workplaces. Comparable to De Kade's inclusive work projects (Lunchbar Kadet, Schrijfbaar, Cadeau Blanc, Studjo Kado), with a different model (specialized technology employment vs. hospitality/retail).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/dekadevzw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dekadevzw
• Instagraminstagram.com/dekadevzw

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries22 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 De Kade