History Pia was formed as a typesetting co-operative on the 8th July 1985. During his time as a radio and television producer and journalist, Pia's founder had acquired a thorough knowledge of the media and used this to good effect in winning the contract to publish the BBC In Touch Handbook. The handbook accompanied the Radio 4 programme for people with visual impairment. The entrepreneurial spirit in Pia meant that the organisation was always alive to new opportunities and, soon, Pia was publishing the handbook simultaneously in braille, large print and audio. A first for UK publishing. Pia's next first was the development of the braille translation software, Braille Maker. This led to Pia supporting the braille production facilities at the Home Office for the new MP at the time, David Blunkett. During this period, the co-operative became Gwasg Pia cyf, a limited company with four Directors. Pia's growing reputation as a braille production company soon led to membership of the Braille Authority of the UK (BAUK). BAUK is the organisation responsible for publishing the British braille code rules and Pia remains the only commercial business to be invited to join. Pia is also a member of the UK Association of Braille Producers (UKABP), the Confederation of Transcribed Information Services (COTIS) and the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF). Pia continued to develop its role as a leading player in the provision of accessible information for the visually impaired. For several years, Pia published the Braille Budget Briefing, sponsored by Abbey National. A collection of newspaper articles were collated, edited, transcribed and produced in one day and rushed to the sorting office to be distributed before midnight. Pia also organised several Better Braille conferences during the late nineties. This event was the only one of its kind in the UK and attracted speakers and delegates from high-profile organisations in accessible media. Since that time, Pia has been the producer of the braille versions of national educational material for schools throughout England. Pia is extremely proud of this project and continues to work hard to offer pupils in England as level a playing field as possible. Thanks to the success of these years, Pia has been able to purchase its own premises in Cwmbrân, which offers a resilience and stability not often enjoyed by companies of Pia's size. Pia continues to plan for change and succession and to invest in its future as the UK's leading alternative format transcription company. Recent developments have been publishing a comprehensive staff handbook, implementing a thorough quality management system and, since being awarded the status in October 2004, retaining Investor in People status in November 2005 and May 2007.
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