What Norges Blindeforbund does

Norges Blindeforbund is a Norwegian nonprofit membership organization founded in 1909 that serves blind and partially sighted individuals across Norway. The organization delivers services through a nationwide federation structure with headquarters in Oslo (Sporveisgata 10) and county chapters (fylkeslag) staffed in every Norwegian county. Its core service offering consists of three specialized syn- og mestringssentrene (vision and coping centers) at Hurdal (72 guest rooms), Evenes (23 guest rooms), and Solvik (15 double rooms plus 3 holiday apartments), plus a residential care facility at Hønen Gård (26 apartments in two buildings) — together providing 3 to 11-day rehabilitation and habilitation courses covering PC/mobile device use, orientation and mobility training, daily living skills, assistive device education, and eye condition awareness, delivered by optometrists, vision pedagogues, sports pedagogues, and psychologists.

The organization's business model combines recurring individual and family membership fees, donations certified through Innsamlingskontrollen and the Grasrotandelen scheme from Norsk Tipping, government subsidies for disability services, pay-as-you-go course fees, and member benefit partnerships (Specsavers for eye exams and eyewear, Synshjelpemidler AS for assistive products). It distributes services through physical centers, county offices, telephone-based support services (Smarthjelp for technology, Synstelefonen staffed by nurses at Haukeland University Hospital), and digital content including the Øyeblikk for livet podcast (27 episodes) and Radio Z nettradio. Customer segmentation targets three groups: blind/visually impaired individuals (primary segment), their family members (now eligible for membership), and healthcare professionals serving vision-impaired patients. GTM is community-led through a federation model of local clubs, activity groups, social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube), and the member magazine Synspunkt. The organization has 101-250 employees and no disclosed revenue.

Name

Norges Blindeforbund

Legal name

Norges Blindeforbund

Website

https://blindeforbundet.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Norges Blindeforbund is a Norwegian nonprofit membership organization founded in 1909 serving blind and partially sighted individuals through three rehabilitation centers, nationwide county chapters, structured courses, telephone support services, and member benefit partnerships including Specsavers eyewear discounts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Other Residential Care Facilities (62399)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Technology, Adaptive Equipment & Home Exercise Program Training In-Home (HSABADAN), Assistive Technology (AT) Evaluations & Needs Assessments (EDAKAIAA)

Keywords

• Visual rehabilitation services
• Disability advocacy services
• Assistive technology support
• Habilitation training programs
• Membership nonprofit organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The organization generates revenue through membership fees, with family members of blind and visually impaired individuals now also eligible for membership.
2. Donations and Support: The organization collects donations and support, including Grasrotandelen from Norsk Tipping, as evidenced by the Innsamlingskontrollen certification displayed on the website.
3. Government Funding: As a nonprofit organization serving persons with disabilities, the organization receives government funding and subsidies.
4. Course and Rehabilitation Fees: Rehabilitation and habilitation courses are offered at syn- og mestringssentrene (vision and coping centers). Course durations range from 3 to 11 days.
5. Member Benefits and Discounts: Partnerships with Specsavers and Synshjelpemidler AS provide member discounts on eye exams, glasses, and assistive products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Norges Blindeforbund operates a nationwide network of rehabilitation and habilitation services for blind and visually impaired individuals in Norway, anchored by three syn- og mestringssentre (vision and coping centers) at Hurdal, Evenes, and Solvik, plus the Hønen gård residential center. It delivers 3–11 day structured courses covering assistive technology use, mobility training, daily living skills, and eye health education, supplemented by member-only benefits including free telephone-based technical support (Smarthjelp), a nurse-staffed eye health hotline (Synstelefonen), discounts on eyewear via Specsavers, assistive products from Synshjelpemidler AS, and audio content via the Øyeblikk for livet podcast and Radio Z internet radio.

Product overview

Norges Blindeforbund operates as a membership organization offering rehabilitation and habilitation services for visually impaired individuals in Norway. The core offering consists of three syn- og mestringssentre (vision and coping centers) at Hurdal, Evenes, and Solvik, plus Hønen gård residential care facility. These centers provide structured training courses lasting 3-11 days covering technology use, mobility, daily living skills, and eye health education. The organization supplements these services with member benefits including Smarthjelp (free technical support), Synstelefonen (nurse-staffed phone service), Radio Z (internet radio), Øyeblikk for livet podcast series, and an extensive library of educational brochures on vision-related topics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kurs og opplæring (Training and Education Programs) Structured 3–11 day training programs for blind and partially sighted individuals covering PC/tablet/mobile use, orientation and mobility, reading and writing with assistive devices, email and internet, household tasks, eye disease education, and physical fitness. Delivered at the organization's three syn- og mestringssentre by optometrists, vision pedagogues, sports pedagogues, psychologists, and trained assistants.
• Solvik syn- og mestringssenter Vision and coping center on Askøy near Bergen offering rehabilitation courses for visually impaired individuals, with capacity of 15 double rooms with bath and 3 holiday apartments. Provides training in daily living skills, swimming, fitness, and outdoor activities.
• Evenes syn- og mestringssenter Vision and coping center in Evenes municipality, northern Nordland, situated near Ofotfjorden with 23 guest rooms. Offers courses focused on visually impaired persons over 67 years, featuring traditional Northern Norwegian cuisine and organized excursions.
• Hurdal syn- og mestringssenter Vision and coping center by Hurdalsjøen lake in northern Akershus with 72 guest rooms with private bath. Offers courses in technology use, mobility training, and daily living skills for visually impaired persons both in working age and over 67, and also serves as a conference venue with meeting rooms for up to 90 persons.
• Hønen gård bo- og mestringssenter Residential and coping center in Hønefoss offering 26 universally designed apartments (40–60 m² each) across two buildings with 24-hour staffed care for visually impaired adults over 18 who need daily living training and healthcare services.
• Smarthjelp (Free Technical Support Telephone Service) Free telephone-based technical support service for blind and visually impaired individuals needing help with technology-related problems. Accessible via the organization's general phone line.
• Synstelefonen (Eye Health Telephone Service) Telephone service staffed by nurses at Haukeland University Hospital's Eye Department, answering member questions about vision every Thursday from 09:00 to 15:00.
• Radio Z (Internet Radio) Norges Blindeforbund's internet radio station and Norway's only nettradio for blind and visually impaired listeners, featuring news, interviews, music, and live broadcasts of meetings.
• Øyeblikk for livet (Podcast Series) Podcast series produced at Solvik syn- og mestringssenter with 27 episodes covering life coping, quality of life, rehabilitation, mental health, trauma, exercise, self-image, and personal stories of visually impaired individuals.
• Medlemskap (Membership Program) Annual membership subscription for blind and visually impaired individuals and now also family members (parents, spouses, children, siblings). Member benefits include free eye-doctor phone consultations, Specsavers discounts on eye exams and glasses, Synshjelpemidler AS product discounts, and access to habilitation/coping courses.
• Brosjyrer og publikasjoner (Educational Brochures and Publications) Extensive collection of educational brochures including the course catalog, eye disease information (AMD, glaucoma, cataracts, retinitis pigmentosa), guide dogs, braille, inheritance information, accessibility guides, and research reports (e.g., "Synstap og psykisk helse" 2022). Includes the Synspunkt quarterly member magazine.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AniCuraminorOthersVeterinary clinic partnership listed among collaboration partners on the Norges Blindeforbund website footer.
• AppetittminorOthersFood/dining partnership listed among collaboration partners on the Norges Blindeforbund website footer.
• SpecsaverscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecsavers provides exclusive member discounts on eye examinations, glasses, and frames. Members receive reduced prices on vision tests and eyewear products.
• MiljøfyrtårnminorOthersEnvironmental certification (Miljøfyrtårn) displayed on the website, indicating environmental compliance in operations.
• InnsamlingskontrollencoreOthersNorwegian fundraising control body that certifies the organization's fundraising practices, providing accountability and trust for donors.
• Synshjelpemidler AScoreOthersProvider of assistive products and devices for visually impaired. Offers member discounts on products that can make daily life easier for blind and partially sighted individuals.
• AdaptorgruppenminorOthersSpecialists in vision and employment (syn og jobb) located in the neighboring building to Hønen Gård bo- og mestringssenter, offering employment support services for visually impaired individuals.
• Nasjonalt kunnskapssenter om vold og traumatisk stress (NKVTS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNKVTS published the research report 'Synstap og psykisk helse' (Vision Loss and Mental Health) in 2022, which Norges Blindeforbund distributes through its brochure program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB): UK's largest charity for blind and partially sighted people, offering rehabilitation, advice, advocacy, and member services. Most direct international peer given similar scope (membership org, advocacy, rehabilitation services, media, and member benefits).
• Funksjonshemmedes Fellesorganisasjon (FFO): Norwegian umbrella organization representing disability NGOs domestically. Direct peer in the same Norwegian advocacy and service ecosystem and a frequent collaborator/co-funding partner.
• Norsk Forbund for Utviklingshemmede (NFU): Norwegian Federation for People with Intellectual Disabilities—a fellow Norwegian disability membership organization with similar structure (county chapters, member benefits, advocacy, government grant reliance). Directly comparable operating model in the same market.
• Hørselshemmedes Landsforbund (HLF): Norwegian Hearing Impaired Association. Parallel Norwegian disability membership organization with comparable governance, county chapters, advocacy, and service-delivery structure; useful proxy for organizational design rather than visual impairment specifically.

Emerging players

• Sightsavers: International NGO focused on avoidable blindness and visual impairment in low- and middle-income countries. Adjacent mission but global-development orientation rather than a national membership service model.
• Norsk Førerhundskole: Norwegian guide dog organization. Adjacent Norwegian service provider for blind individuals; smaller scope (guide dog training) but overlaps the same beneficiary population and frequently partners with national blindness organizations.

Regional players

• American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): US national nonprofit for blind/visually impaired, providing advocacy, research, and services. Geographic peer operating a similar national mandate in a larger market; useful for benchmarking service breadth.
• Synskadades Riksförbund (SRF): Swedish National Federation of Visually Impaired—the direct Nordic counterpart operating in Sweden with a similar membership, advocacy, and service model. Closest peer by mission and Nordic operating context.
• Dansk Blindesamfund: Danish Association of the Blind, the principal Danish nonprofit for visually impaired people. Comparable Nordic peer with parallel advocacy, membership, and rehabilitation functions.

Broad incumbents

• Lighthouse Guild: US organization providing vision rehabilitation, behavioral health, and assistive technology services. Larger incumbent with overlapping rehabilitation and assistive-tech service lines but broader health focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/NorgesBlindeforbund
• Facebookfacebook.com/blindeforbundet
• LinkedInno.linkedin.com/company/norges-blindeforbund
• Instagraminstagram.com/blindeforbundet
• Xx.com/Blindeforbundet

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Norges Blindeforbund