About Us

Meet the co-founders:

Freek van Welsenis and Ayushman Talwar.

Freek, with his expertise in industrial engineering, spearheads initiatives to enhance tech accessibility for the visually impaired, embodying our commitment to societal participation.

Ayushman champions innovative solutions as our product manager, striving for inclusion and equality to foster impactful, positive change. Together, they drive Hable towards a more inclusive future.

Illustration of Ayushman and his visually impaired grandfather

Our Inspiration

Hable was born from the personal drive of co-founder Ayushman, inspired by his grandfather, Mr. Handa, who lost his sight at 40. In India, Mr. Handa's sight loss meant early retirement and a standstill in life, due to a lack of assistive technology.

Motivated to change his grandfather's situation, Ayushman, alongside Freek, who shared similar experiences, established Hable in 2016. They aimed to unlock smartphone accessibility for Mr. Handa, symbolizing independence and the potential for a fuller life.

The issue that struck Ayushman’s family is not isolated; it echoes in the lives of over 320 million people worldwide and 450,000 visually impaired in the Netherlands. Hable's inception is not just a personal story but a universal challenge, unmet due to its complexity and scale.
Blind student and a special teacher with the Hable One

The Challange

Limited digital access restricts educational and job opportunities for individuals with disabilities, making online learning, remote work, and digital job applications inaccessible. This digital divide creates barriers that diminish their participation in the digital world.
  • Hand holding a money bag

    Economic disadvantages

    Limited digital skills and access contribute to a 70% unemployment rate among US adults with visual impairments (National Federation of the Blind, 2020).

  • Books

    Limited education

    More than 80% of students lacking digital devices and internet struggle to access online education and learning tools.

  • People excluding one person

    Social exclusion

    The digital divide isolates individuals and communities by hindering social, informational, and civic engagement, cutting off access to social media, email, and video communication.

Hable One Braille keyboard

Our Strategy

Tackling the digital divide demands varied solutions and collective action. When we help individuals master apps and smart device features, we see the digital gap visibly narrow.

This issue has a dual solution: ensuring access and encouraging adoption.
  • Man using the Hable One in public

    Access & Affordability

    Access to digital devices remains a hurdle; many clients lack the necessary tools for internet access. Essential assistive technologies like screen readers and alternative input devices are pivotal. However, even where available, their high cost often makes them inaccessible.

  • Woman with a guide dog using the Hable One in public

    Adoption

    Adoption hinges on digital literacy: comprehending usage, having support systems, and receiving ongoing, needs-specific training. Without this, clients struggle to navigate digital platforms and utilize assistive technologies efficiently.
Freek van Welsenis is seated beside a girl feeling the Hable One for the first time. They are smiling.

Our Impact

To tackle this challenge, we introduced the Hable One, a revolutionary smartphone controller that empowers users to master their phones with ease. Already, over 3,000 users have used it to connect online, stay in touch with loved ones, and manage their finances, unlocking possibilities that were once out of reach.
  • E-mail card

    E-mail

    30% of our clients had never used email before Hable One.

  • Internet Globe

    Internet

    60% of our users were previously unable to access online information.

  • Phone ringing

    Calling

    10% of our users are now able to independently call family, government services, or their doctor.

  • Bank transaction conducted on a mobile device

    Banking

    35% of our users have gained the ability to type passwords into their banking apps with more privacy.

Partner With Us!

Whether as an investor or reseller, join us in the mission to innovate and enhance accessibility! Let’s create impact together. Reach out now to explore opportunities!

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