Help Tech GmbH

Help Tech GmbH (formerly Handy Tech Elektronik GmbH) is a leading producer for electronic aids for the blind and the visually impaired.

Help Tech GmbH (formerly Handy Tech Elektronik GmbH) is a leading producer for electronic aids for the blind and the visually impaired.
Since 1994, we are partner of Siemens for equipment especially for blind and visually impaired telephone operators. Here we offer complete solutions including the equipment itself as well as installation and training at customer’s site. 
Help Tech has a complete coverage with offices and representatives in Germany (Cologne, Marburg, Stuttgart, Lueneburg). Abroad we have an international dealer net which covers the whole of Western Europe and America. 
We have dedicated us to the following mission: 
Our mission is to create innovative technologies which help to improve the lives of the blind and the visually impaired. 
Here a brief history of Handy Tech. 1975 already, Mr. Schönherr, the founder of the company, patented the world’s first solution for refreshable Braille characters. With this technology it was the first time possible to open the world of computers for the blind. 
Right from the beginning, Siemens telephone systems have been accessible for the blind by using this invention. Right now the number of blind telephone operators within Germany is estimated as 7000. Blind telephone operators are the biggest group of working blind people in Germany. 
After the tragical death of Mr. Schönherr, the institute for the blind took over the company as a non-profit company in 1983. 
1994 was a new start as Handy Tech Elektronik GmbH. Since then, Dipl.-Ing. Siegfried Kipke is acting as CEO and being the sole owner of the company. With new innovative products, Handy Tech was able to gain a bigger market share. We started with 9 employees. Our team has grown to 47 employees of which 1/3 are themselves blind or visually impaired. 
Since 1997, Handy Tech is certified for DIN EN ISO 9001. 2000 was the official opening of the new company building. 
Help Tech is OEM supplier of Braille terminal for Siemens for 15 years already. These Braille terminals are used worldwide in combination with the AC (from AC/1 to AC/4). 
In addition, we also offer certified solutions for AC-Win 1.0 as well as 4.0. A workplace for blind telephone operators includes an ergonomically optimized Braille display with comfortable control and input possibilities as well as the software to control the operator software including the software to handle the windows operating system. Our complete service includes the PC and installation as well as the training for the customer. The training usually is done by one of our blind experts of the Help Tech team. 
Our solutions for visually impaired operators include enlargement software which can be adjusted individually according to the specific needs of the partially sighted operator. Switchboard information are summarized on the display. A trackball is often used to control the software. Our complete solution include beside the PC also the high resolution large monitor as well as the installation and training. Optionally, camera systems to enlarge normal printed text can be used. Depending on the kind of visually impairment, some workplaces are equipped with a combination of blind and visually impaired solutions. 
Handy Tech has introduced a new solution for AC-Win MQ for blind operators. Now it is possible for a blind operator to use AC-WinMQ - more comfortable than ever. 
Since 2001, Handy Tech is HiPath Ready partner. We are now preparing the certification for the next generation of workplaces for blind and visually impaired telephone operators.