DBSV

Disability Advocacy and Self-Help Servicesdbsv.org

DBSV (Deutscher Blinden- und Sehbehindertenverband e.V.) is Germany's central nonprofit self-help association for blind and visually impaired people, headquartered in Berlin. It operates a federated network of 16 regional state associations delivering advocacy, accessible publications, tactile books, Braille learning, audio services, and policy influence.

Company typePrivate
Founded-
HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
Headcount11–50
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What DBSV does

DBSV (Deutscher Blinden- und Sehbehindertenverband e.V.) is Germany's central self-help association for blind and visually impaired people, operating as a registered nonprofit (e.V.) headquartered in Berlin. The organization is structured as a federated network of 16 regional state associations (Landesvereine) covering all German federal states, serving thousands of members through local counseling, advocacy, legal advice, rehabilitation guidance, and assistive-device information. Its primary constituency is blind and visually impaired individuals and their families, with secondary engagement of policymakers, healthcare providers, and rehabilitation services.

DBSV's core product portfolio spans accessible publications, tactile media, audio services, and educational tools. Tactile books (Tastbücher) for blind children combine Braille text, raised tactile images, and BOOKii audio codes (titles include 'Imke fliegt zur Sonne' and 'Konni Knoten'). Publications include the Sichtweisen association magazine, Die Brücke youth magazine, DBSV-Inform information service (CD, online, app), and taubblind for deaf-blind audiences. Audio distribution is delivered through podcasts (Sichtweisen, Low Vision Stories) and the Hörfilm-Skill smart-speaker integration for audio description services. The DBSV-Infotelefon (030/2555 80808) provides telephone-based access for members without digital devices, and daily news for deaf-blind members is transmitted via the Lormen alphabet. Braille learning is supported through the Punktum platform and instructor materials.

DBSV's business model is diversified nonprofit revenue: recurring membership fees, donations from individuals and corporations, unit-priced publication sales (€50 protective fee per tactile book), and project grants from institutional funders including Aktion Mensch, Collette-Hecht-Stiftung, Techniker Krankenkasse, DAK Gesundheit, and SKala-Initiative. The organization runs annual events including the SightCity trade fair in Frankfurt (largest international trade fair for blind/visually impaired aids), the Louis Braille Festival, Sehbehindertentag (June 6), and Woche des Sehens. Advocacy is anchored in regulatory influence across Bundesteilhabegesetz, the European Accessibility Act, and Blindengeld equality across federal states, and DBSV initiated the UNESCO inscription of Braille as Intangible Cultural Heritage in Germany in March 2020.

DBSV firmographics

Firmographics

Name: DBSV
Legal name: Deutscher Blinden- und Sehbehindertenverband e.V.
Website: https://dbsv.org
Company type: Private
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 11–50 employees
Short description: DBSV (Deutscher Blinden- und Sehbehindertenverband e.V.) is Germany's central nonprofit self-help association for blind and visually impaired people, headquartered in Berlin. It operates a federated network of 16 regional state associations delivering advocacy, accessible publications, tactile books, Braille learning, audio services, and policy influence.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

DBSV industry classification

Industry

Product category: Disability Advocacy and Self-Help Services
NAICS: Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)
SIC: Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
akta.pro primary industry: Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification) (EDAKAIAF)

Keywords

Disability advocacy services
Assistive technology resources
Braille literacy materials
Tactile children's books
Accessibility consulting services

Where DBSV is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Berlin
HQ country: Germany
HQ region: Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

DBSV business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

Membership Fees: Revenue from membership contributions from individuals joining the association and its regional state associations.
Donations and Charitable Contributions: Donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting the organization's mission. Includes specific projects like tactile books, E-Scooter campaigns, and Ukraine assistance.
Sales of Publications and Materials: Sale of tactile books (50€ per unit for 'Imke fliegt zur Sonne'), publications, and informational materials.
Public Funding and Grants: Government funding and project grants from organizations like Aktion Mensch, Collette-Hecht-Stiftung, and Techniker Krankenkasse.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Unit Pricing	Pay-as-you-go	Tactile book 'Imke fliegt zur Sonne' - protective fee
Other	Pay-as-you-go	DBSV-Infotelefon - free hotline service

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

DBSV product offering

Product offering

Core offering

DBSV is Germany's central self-help organization for blind and visually impaired individuals, operating a nationwide network of 16 regional state associations. It produces tactile children's books (Tastbücher) with Braille text and audio codes, publishes magazines and podcasts, runs the DBSV-Infotelefon hotline, and provides Braille literacy programs, usability consulting, accessibility advocacy, and training on collaborative digital tools.

Product overview

DBSV (Deutscher Blinden- und Sehbehindertenverband e.V.) is a self-help organization for blind and visually impaired people offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services. Core offerings include tactile books for children with Braille text and audio codes, publications (Sichtweisen magazine, DBSV-Inform in multiple formats, youth magazine Die Brücke), podcasts (Sichtweisen, Low Vision Stories), the Hörfilm-Skill for smart speakers, and Braille learning materials (Punktum). The organization provides the DBSV-Infotelefon for telephone-based information access, the dbsv-direkt email newsletter, and the DBSV-Karte membership card with partner discounts. Events include SightCity trade fair, Louis Braille Festival, Sehbehindertentag, and the International Low-Vision Song Contest. Services encompass usability testing (Usability-Pool, Usability-Check), collaborative tools training, legal advice, and daily news for deaf-blind individuals transmitted via Lormen alphabet.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

DBSV-Infotelefon: Telephone information service for blind and visually impaired people reachable at 030 / 2555 80808
Sichtweisen
dbsv-direkt
DBSV-Inform
Die Brücke
taubblind
SightCity
Louis Braille Festival
Woche des Sehens
Sehbehindertentag
Hörspielpreis
Punktum
Low Vision Stories

Products and services

Tastbücher (Tactile Books) Tactile picture books for blind and visually impaired children featuring Braille text, raised tactile images, and audio codes readable with BOOKii listening pens. Titles include 'Imke fliegt zur Sonne' (bees), 'Konni Knoten' (rope knots), and 'Kim und das Zauberhäschen' (origami).
Sichtweisen (Association Magazine) DBSV's main association magazine covering topics related to blindness and visual impairment, available in multiple formats including online, podcast, and traditional delivery.
DBSV-Infotelefon Free telephone information service at 030 / 2555 80808 providing audio access to newsletter content, podcast information, magazine news, and membership benefits for users without computers or smartphones.
Newsletter dbsv-direkt Email newsletter providing regular updates on DBSV activities, news, and information for blind and visually impaired people.
DBSV-Inform Information service available in multiple formats (CD, online, app) providing news and updates for members.
DBSV-Podcasts Multiple podcast series including 'Sichtweisen' and 'Low Vision Stories' covering accessibility, technology, and disability rights.
Hörfilm-Skill Smart speaker skill enabling voice-activated access to audio description (Hörfilm) services for blind and visually impaired users.
Braille Learning Materials (Punktum) Braille learning materials including Punktum software, Braille cards, and instructor resources for teaching Braille writing and reading.
DBSV-Karte (Membership Card) Membership card offering various discounts and benefits from partner organizations for DBSV members.
Tagesnachrichten für taubblinde Menschen Daily news service transmitted in Lormen alphabet for deaf-blind individuals, providing accessible current affairs information.
Jugendzeitschrift Die Brücke Youth magazine for young members of DBSV covering topics relevant to young people with visual impairments.
Usability-Pool and Usability-Check Consulting service connecting organizations with visually impaired users for usability testing of digital products, websites, and applications.
Kollaborative Tools Schulungen Online training programs for collaborative digital tools, helping organizations implement accessible video conferencing and teamwork solutions.

Quantifiable outcome

Braille recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO since March 2020
+1 more outcomes

Companies that use DBSV

Customer profile

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

DBSV technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature3 records

DBSV partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered contributing, minor, core and major.

Prof. Jürgen TautzcontributingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBEE research expert who co-authored 'Imke fliegt zur Sonne' tactile book, providing scientific content about honeybees for blind children.
Bärbel RothhaarcontributingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisual artist and beekeeper who created tactile images and artwork for the 'Imke fliegt zur Sonne' tactile book.
MattelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided UNO games with Braille script as prizes for the Braille riddle competition on World Braille Day 2023.
AmazonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided Amazon Echo devices with Alexa voice control as prizes for the Braille riddle competition on World Braille Day 2023.
represent (ZDF/funk)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreated video 'Blind und ausgebremst' (Blind and blocked) about Blindengeld disparities for the weekly video format.
EBU (European Blind Union)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization for blind people in Europe; DBSV is a member representing Germany.
WBU (World Blind Union)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal organization advocating for the rights of blind and visually impaired people worldwide.
EDF (European Disability Forum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean umbrella organization representing the interests of 100 million people with disabilities in Europe.
SightCitymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLargest international trade fair for blind and visually impaired aids; DBSV participates with booths alongside Blickpunkt Auge and Blinden- und Sehbehindertenbund in Hessen.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

DBSV competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

DBSV financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

DBSV leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

DBSV funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

DBSV M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about DBSV

What does DBSV do?

Is DBSV a public or private company?

DBSV is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.

When was DBSV founded?

DBSV was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.

Where is DBSV based?

DBSV is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.

How does DBSV make money?

Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations and Charitable Contributions, sales of Publications and Materials and public Funding and Grants.

Does DBSV have an API?

No public API is recorded for DBSV.

What industry is DBSV in?

DBSV's product category is Disability Advocacy and Self-Help Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKAIAF, Vision Assistive Technology (Screen Readers, Braille, Magnification). Its NAICS code is 624120 and its SIC code is 8600.