A Braille New World
Pia has been creating and producing accessible formats for nearly 35 years.
We believe in an inclusive world where individuals have independent access to information.
We want our customers to enable their customers.
1980s
Start in accessible publishing
Pia was founded as a typesetting co-operative, designing and producing printing plates.
Our first major publishing contract was the BBC’s In Touch Handbook, which accompanied the Radio 4 programme for people with visual impairments. This presented the significant challenge of publishing the handbook simultaneously in braille, large print, and audio – a first in UK publishing.
Pia’s growth
Pia grew and, in 1992, became Gwasg Pia Cyf, a limited company and the developer of the braille translation software, Braille Maker. This became the leading braille translation software in the UK and formed the foundation of Pia’s role in supplying braille software and embossers, as well as providing technical support. At this stage, Pia also established a small braille bureau, translating and producing braille documents.
Our growing reputation as a high-quality braille production company soon led to membership of the Braille Authority of the UK (BAUK), the UK Association of Braille Producers (UKABP), the Confederation of Transcribed Information Services (COTIS), and the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF). In the late 1990s, Pia also organised several ‘Better Braille’ conferences to promote higher standards within the industry.
1990s
Today
Leading the way in accessible formats
Today, Pia is proud to have an excellent reputation within the industry and to be closely associated with the UK Association for Accessible Formats (UKAAF), which succeeded BAUK, UKABP, and COTIS. We continue to work hard to improve the quality and availability of accessible formats across the UK. We offer a wide range of formats to organisations of all sizes, always striving to deliver excellent customer service. We are especially proud to produce braille and large print versions of national educational materials, giving children with visual impairments across England and Wales the best possible opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.
Journey to employee ownership & expansion
Pia continues to embrace change and invest in its future as the UK’s leading accessible format transcription company. We’re especially proud that, in 2024, we became an employee-owned business. This milestone underlines our commitment to sustainability and wellbeing. In 2025, we opened our second operational site, ensuring robust disaster recovery and providing our customers – and the people they serve – with the confidence that we will always deliver on our commitments.
See our employee ownership announcement
What our customers
have to say
