Freedom Scientific


Freedom Scientific is a company that makes accessibility products for computer users with low-vision, blindness, and learning disabilities. The company is a subsidiary of VFO Group. The software they create enables screen magnification, screen reading and use of refreshable Braille displays with modern computers. The company also offers services including training and accessibility consulting, including in-person services in major cities throughout the United States and other countries.
The company is based in Saint Petersburg, Florida, with European headquarters in Barendrecht, Netherlands.

History

Former motorcycle racer Ted Henter developed the JAWS screen reader after he himself became blind due to complications from a car accident.
Henter and Bill Joyce founded Henter-Joyce in 1987 in St. Petersburg, which produced an MS-DOS version of JAWS and later a Microsoft Windows version. Henter-Joyce merged with Arkenstone and Blazie Engineering in 2000 to form Freedom Scientific.