What a11y does

A11Y LTD. is a UK-incorporated private company (Company No. 08165690) founded in 2012 by Jan Buchal, himself blind, to commercialize assistive technology solutions for visually impaired and blind individuals. The company took over the business activities and know-how of predecessor non-profit BRAILCOM,o.p.s., which had operated for nearly 20 years developing accessibility systems. Core offerings consisted of individually designed computer-based compensation aids — assistive technology configured through detailed client consultation and diagnostics — bundled with professional configuration, training, and assistance in applying for Czech state allowances under Act 329/2011 Sb. Historical products inherited from BRAILCOM included the Biblio electronic catalogue system serving the largest Czech library for the blind (Knihovna a tiskárna pro nevidomé Karla Emanuela Macana), the Trafika newspaper accessibility service, and Eurochance interactive language textbooks.

The business model combined one-time license sales of individually configured compensation aids with professional services (consultation, diagnostics, training). Pricing was anchored to Czech statutory allowances, which guaranteed up to 350,000 CZK per aid and a maximum of 800,000 CZK per individual over five years. Go-to-market blended an enterprise field-sales motion (individual consultations and diagnostics) with a community-led approach rooted in the BRAILCOM network of schools, libraries, and special education providers.

The company's operating footprint collapsed between 2013 and 2016. Following allegations of discriminatory actions by Czech state authorities, A11Y LTD. filed an international arbitration claim against the Czech Republic in October 2014 and announced the winding down of its Czech branch in May 2016. The company now states on its official website that it has suspended its activities, leaving it as a non-operating UK entity with no disclosed funding, revenue, headcount, or current customers.

Name

a11y

Legal name

A11Y LTD.

Website

https://a11y.ltd.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Closed

Short description

A11Y LTD., a suspended UK private company founded in 2012, sold individually designed computer compensation aids and accessibility services for visually impaired and blind individuals, primarily serving Czech end-users under a state allowance regime inherited from predecessor BRAILCOM,o.p.s.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Assistive Technology for the Visually Impaired

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Computer Access & Alternative Input (Switch, Eye Gaze, Head/Mouse, Keyboards) (EDAKAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

AT Funding, Procurement & Compliance Support (IEP/504 Documentation) (EDAKAIAJ), Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB), Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF), Assistive Technology (AT) Evaluations & Needs Assessments (EDAKAIAA)

Keywords

• Assistive technology solutions
• Compensation aids for blind
• Accessible library catalogues
• Accessible digital textbooks
• Disability support services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Compensation Aid Sales: Sale of complex modern computer compensation aids for visually impaired and blind people. Solutions are individually designed and configured based on client consultation and diagnostics.
2. Professional Services (Consultation and Training): Consultation, diagnostics, configuration, and training services provided as part of comprehensive compensation aid solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

A11Y LTD. sells individually designed computer-based compensation aids for blind and severely visually impaired people, configured and delivered through detailed client consultation, diagnostics, and training. The company also assists clients in applying for Czech state allowances of up to 350,000 CZK per aid (max 800,000 CZK over five years). Related electronic systems inherited from predecessor BRAILCOM,o.p.s. include the Biblio library catalogue, Trafika news accessibility service, and Eurochance accessible language textbooks. The company has currently suspended its activities.

Product overview

A11Y LTD. is a company specializing in complex solutions of assistive technology for blind and visually impaired people. The core offering consists of individually designed modern compensation aids (computer-based assistive technology) tailored through detailed consultation and diagnostics, including professional configuration and training. Additionally, the company provides assistance with state allowance applications. The predecessor organization BRAILCOM,o.p.s. developed related services including the Biblio electronic catalogue system for library access, the Trafika news accessibility service, and the Eurochance interactive language textbooks. The company currently has suspended its activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Modern Compensation Aids
• State Allowance Application Assistance

Quantifiable outcome

• State allowance coverage up to 350,000 CZK per aid and 800,000 CZK over five years per individual

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• BRAILCOM,o.p.s.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012BRAILCOM,o.p.s. was the predecessor non-profit organization that developed the know-how and activities later taken over by A11Y LTD. BRAILCOM operated for nearly 20 years developing electronic systems (Biblio, Trafika), interactive textbooks (Eurochance), and the Center of Expert Support project before its business activities were transferred to A11Y LTD.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• HumanWare: HumanWare is a leading global provider of assistive technology for blind and visually impaired people, including Braille displays, note takers, and low-vision magnifiers. It directly parallels A11Y's mission of providing individually configured computer access solutions for the visually impaired.
• Freedom Scientific: Freedom Scientific develops JAWS screen reader and ZoomText magnification software used by blind and low-vision computer users. Its software-centric compensation aids overlap directly with A11Y's computer-based compensation aid portfolio.
• NV Access: NV Access produces the NVDA screen reader, a widely used free alternative-input and screen-access tool for blind users. It competes with the computer-access functionality central to A11Y's compensation aid solutions.
• Dolphin Computer Access: Dolphin provides SuperNova screen magnification, GuideConnect, and EasyReader — assistive software for blind and partially sighted users accessing computers and digital content, mirroring A11Y's reading and computer-access focus.
• Optelec: Optelec manufactures low-vision magnifiers and electronic reading devices used by visually impaired people. Its hardware-focused vision-assisting devices are closely comparable to the device side of A11Y's compensation aid offerings.

Emerging players

• OrCam Technologies: OrCam produces wearable AI devices (MyEye, Read) that read text and assist blind and visually impaired users in daily tasks. It is an emerging player in the same assistive technology category A11Y serves, focused on a different delivery modality (wearable vs. configured computer setup).
• Aira Tech Corp: Aira provides a remote visual interpretation service connecting blind users to sighted agents via smart glasses and smartphones. It addresses the same 'navigation, reading, and access' use cases A11Y's compensation aids target, but via a service rather than device model.
• Be My Eyes: Be My Eyes connects blind and low-vision users to sighted volunteers and (recently) AI for visual assistance via a mobile app. It targets the same independence and daily-task use cases A11Y addresses, through a community/AI service model rather than configured hardware.

Broad incumbents

• Enhanced Vision: Enhanced Vision (now part of Optelec group) offers a broad portfolio of low-vision electronic magnifiers and reading aids. As a larger, more established player in low-vision devices, it overlaps with the hardware portion of A11Y's compensation aid solutions.

Regional players

• LVI Low Vision International: LVI Low Vision International manufactures electronic video magnifiers (MagniLink) primarily serving European markets. Its regionally focused product line of vision-assisting devices is comparable to A11Y's optical and computer-based vision aids.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/a11yltd
• Facebookfacebook.com/a11yltd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/a11y-ltd-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 a11y