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Key people at ViewPlus.
ViewPlus was founded in 2000 by Bernard Moon (Co-founder & VP of Corporate Development).
ViewPlus Technologies develops and provides advanced braille embossers and tactile graphics solutions. The company specializes in assistive technology, delivering both hardware and software designed to translate visual information into a tangible format. Their offerings enable individuals with visual impairments to access and comprehend complex graphics and text, facilitating greater independence and information equity.
The company was founded in 1996 by Dr. John Gardner, a physicist, and Carolyn Gardner. Dr. Gardner, who lost his sight, recognized a significant gap in accessible information, particularly for scientific and mathematical concepts. His personal experience and belief that visual information could be effectively communicated through tactile means drove the development of technology to address this need, leading to the creation of ViewPlus.
ViewPlus serves a diverse clientele including educators, parents, students, and professionals with visual impairments. The company’s products are instrumental in educational settings and professional environments, helping to integrate blind and low-vision individuals more fully. ViewPlus envisions a future where information accessibility is universal, enabling all individuals to engage with and understand content without barriers.
# ViewPlus: High-Level Overview
ViewPlus Technologies is an accessibility-focused hardware and software company that develops braille embossers, tactile graphics solutions, and related tools for blind and visually impaired individuals.[1] Founded in 1996 by Dr. John Gardner—a physicist who became blind following an eye operation—and his wife Carolyn, the company has spent over 30 years creating products that make STEM education and professional work more inclusive.[1][6] ViewPlus serves educators, students, and professionals worldwide, with its embossers deployed across 75+ countries and over 10,000 devices delivered globally.[6]
The company's core mission centers on removing barriers to education and employment for blind and low-vision individuals by making information accessible through innovative braille and tactile graphics technology.[1] Rather than pursuing venture-scale growth, ViewPlus operates as a sustainable, mission-driven business with approximately 26 employees and annual revenue under $5 million, positioning itself as a specialized leader in an underserved accessibility market.[2]
# Origin Story
ViewPlus emerged from necessity and lived experience. In 1988, Dr. John Gardner underwent an eye operation that left him blind. By 1996, his research team at Oregon State University had developed TIGER technology—a revolutionary approach to embossing multi-dot height tactile graphics that could convey complex visual information through touch.[1] When existing braille embosser manufacturers declined to license the technology, Gardner and his wife launched ViewPlus Technologies to commercialize the innovation themselves.
The company remained focused on tactile graphics for nearly two decades until 2015, when Dan and Susannah Gardner (the founders' son and daughter-in-law) joined the organization to expand its reach.[1] This generational transition proved pivotal: the team recognized that tactile graphics with braille were becoming essential—not optional—for blind and visually impaired students in STEM fields. This insight catalyzed ViewPlus's expansion from a niche player into the mainstream braille embosser market, while maintaining its leadership position in tactile graphics.[1]
# Core Differentiators
# Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
ViewPlus operates at the intersection of accessibility technology, inclusive education, and assistive devices—a sector gaining momentum as regulatory requirements and social awareness around disability inclusion intensify. The company rides several favorable trends:
Educational Accessibility Mandates: STEM accessibility for disabled students has shifted from "nice-to-have" to institutional necessity, driven by legal requirements and recognition that blind students are underrepresented in technical fields.[1]
Inclusive Design Movement: Broader tech industry adoption of accessibility-first principles has elevated the visibility and legitimacy of specialized accessibility vendors, creating partnership opportunities (as evidenced by ViewPlus's 2023 collaboration with Independence Science).[3]
Global Expansion of Inclusive Education: As developing nations strengthen educational infrastructure, demand for accessible learning tools is growing beyond traditional Western markets, explaining ViewPlus's presence in 75+ countries.[6]
Rather than disrupting markets, ViewPlus influences the ecosystem by demonstrating that accessibility-focused businesses can be sustainable and profitable while serving underserved populations. The company's recognition with an SBA Tibbetts Award signals validation from institutional stakeholders.[5]
# Quick Take & Future Outlook
ViewPlus is well-positioned to deepen its role as the global standard for accessible STEM materials. The company's second-generation leadership transition, combined with growing institutional recognition of accessibility as a compliance and equity imperative, suggests steady expansion without the pressure to pursue venture-scale growth.
Future momentum will likely come from strategic partnerships (like the Independence Science collaboration), geographic expansion into emerging markets with growing STEM education sectors, and product innovation around color-inclusive tactile graphics and hybrid printing capabilities. The company's 30+ year track record and founder-led mission alignment suggest ViewPlus will continue as a trusted, specialized player rather than a high-growth acquisition target—a sustainable model for a company solving a persistent, underserved problem.
ViewPlus was founded in 2000 by Bernard Moon (Co-founder & VP of Corporate Development).
Key people at ViewPlus.
