George W F Bell, Managing Director of Techno-Vision Systems, lost his battle with ill health on Wednesday 24th June 2026. George was 79. Since the news of his death broke, many friends and customers have been paying tribute to one of the community’s longest serving allies.
I first met George Bell at a small exhibition in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, in 1987. His colleagues were Oggie and Kevin, and the three of them played a pivotal role in supporting blind and visually impaired people for the next four decades or so. Techno-Vision Systems supplied the Braille translation software Duxbury, and sold Braille embossers, Braille paper, and transcription services. But perhaps George and company were best known for selling the Eureka A4, a wonderful device that became an integral part of my life for many years. Eureka was the ultimate Australian electronic secretary complete with word processor, notepad, calculator, diary, telephone directory, database, voltmeter, music composer and so much more. Then there was the Franklin Language Master electronic dictionary that could play a host of games as well as its intended purpose as the Miriam Webster dictionary and thesaurus.
But George was so much more than a dealer and reseller of hardware and software. He believed in making sure his customers purchased the right products for them, offered the fastest turn-around repair service of all companies in the business, and was a plain speaker. George didn’t mince his words: if he thought even the products he sold weren’t up to the mark, he stopped selling them. His was the first stand I made for at exhibitions in the late 1980s and 1990s. And if you didn’t find him there, there was a good chance he would be propping up a bar somewhere nearby. He was kind, generous, incredibly helpful and often extremely witty. He set up and contributed to several email forums, and was always ready to have a chat over the phone. George was a one-off, and will be sorely missed by many people. I have put a plethora of contributions together below from so many who, like myself, want to pay tribute to someone who is so richly deserving of our affection and admiration:
‘George was an amazing, kind, generous man who's contribution to this industry and to the people using a wide range of assistive technology cannot be overstated.
He was often uncompromising and brutally honest, which is why you always knew you were being told what needed to be told.
He was a great friend and of course drinking buddy. He introduced me to my late wife Lisette, and so is ultimately the cause of me leaving the UK for New Zealand a few years later where I still live after more than 20 years. He did us the honour of being at our wedding, and, typically, put some money behind the bar at the reception because that is just what he did.
On a professional basis we worked closely together in the 90s and early 2000s and I learned so much from him.
As we say here in Aotearoa New Zealand, another great oak has fallen. Go well my friend.’
Neil Jarvis
‘George also touched my life and I have a lot to be thankful to him for: the provision of Braille paper over many years when I was in employment, and for sorting out my Braille embosser. Kevin was also most helpful.’
Eleanor Burke
‘I had a lot of help from George over the years, including when I bought my first Windows screen reader. He was also able to rescue some software licence details for a program I'd purchased 20 years previously.’
Ed Green
‘I have many fond memories of George over the decades ... a lot, but not all, based around a bar at 3 in the morning. As has been said, a very kind and generous man and one of the very few who gave you an honest opinion as to whether something he sold was actually what you needed! My daughter will be saddened, too, as she still has a furry rabbit George gave her one year after she helped out on the Techno-Vision stall.
RIP George.’
Richard Bartholomew
‘At the risk of being somewhat repetitious, George was a great help to me when, in the early 1970s, at a time when I was just trying to learn about tech, he taught me from the basics up - and with terrific patience!
Thank you George’
Richard Godfrey-McKay
‘He was a pleasure to deal with and always provided an honest opinion no matter what we were discussing. He always had time for anyone and rescued me on quite a few occasions. He will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.’
Mobeen Iqbal
‘George was a stalwart of the, then, BCAB community when I joined more than 20 years ago, and his friendly and helpful presence didn't diminish one bit over those years.’
Léonie Watson
‘For me the important thing about George was that he was not simply a trader who served our community, he was also a true ally and supporter in the cause of accessible tech.’
Ian Macrae
‘There are lots of things I could say about George. However my comments for what they're worth are these:
George was an innovator. How many products can one name that he was the first to bring to the UK? Let's start! This is a greatest hits album, not an exhaustive list:
Index Braille embossers - he was the first and major distributor of these for at least 20 years. Many of us were first introduced to the possibility of owning our own Braille printer with the Index machines.
Eureka, Robotron Reader, and other Robotron products - one of the first people to access products from other than the USA. He brought these products from Australia which again provided the ability to read your own print and the ability to use an accessible electronic secretary, to the masses. Previously, reading machines cost £5,000 and although still very expensive, the Robotron halved the price of access to print, and thereby moved it into the scope of visually impaired individuals.
The Mountbatten Brailler - Touted as a replacement for the Perkins. When the Mountbatten eventually arrived after a long time in gestation, it was George who picked it up and started to sell it in this country.
Let's not forget the little things that make so much difference. Braille 'n’ Print - for the first time you could get printed matter out of your Perkins
Braille - many of us encountered this in examination halls in the late 80s.
Talking dictionary - I'd love to have one now! it's the only electronic games that I've ever actually played regularly.
Finally one that still endures today, the Duxbury Braille Translator. Yes it may have originally been developed in the States, but nearly 40 years ago, George was the 1st to bring it to the UK.
George would also experiment. He would try new products and if they worked out, great, if not he would simply stop stocking them.
Above all, I had constant tales of how George went above and beyond. Whether it would be travelling at weekends to give students in their final exams at university repaired products, or staying up half the night to make sure something was turned round in double quick time.
Finally George was the ultimate Bonnevier. I had the pleasure of spending a number of nights in George's company, always accompanied by the banging headache the next morning.
RIP George and thanks for everything!’
Rob Powell
‘This is sad news. George was very supportive of me especially at the start of my career after I finished at university and was trying to get a job. He let me remotely configure various aspects of his servers at Techno-Vision which I could use as experience on my CV. Whenever I needed to get some assistive technology if he sold it I always tried to get it through him if I could. He will be missed.’
Andrew Hodgson
‘He had some different gadgets to the other companies. I'm sure people will remember WindowBridge?
I never felt it was time to go when we were at his stand. I know the companies are there to make money, but I didn't feel George ever pushed anything at us. I liked the way they tried to explain things to us, they were really good. They were one of the best companies really.
Braille Master was another program he used to sell. And a version of that was for Eureka.’
Ian Cairns
‘Last time I spoke to George he was not too good. He was having problems with his legs.
I have known George for many years. He rang me and asked if it would be okay to call as he was going to Shipley at the time. I of course said no problem.
We had a nice chat over a cup of tea. He could not have anything stronger because he was driving. I was grateful for his help for many years with regard to Braille products, software and hardware. He will be Sorley missed in the IT sector.’
Norman Waddington
‘George, in the modern business world, is a rarity. Every time I rang him, sometimes five or six years apart, it was as if we only met last week. I only had to mention my name and whether he did or not he always reacted as if he was really pleased to hear from me. Nine times out of 10 it was because I had a problem, not necessarily with a product I bought from him, and he nine times out of 10 had the answers. If he didn't know, he would say so and suggest where you could take your problem to get it solved. My first encounter with George was when some friends donated my wife and I a Eureka A4. A brilliant piece of tech for its time. it was the first access Technology I had. His tuition, Customer Support, and friendly greetings were very encouraging. His whole team, in those days Kevin and the great Oggie Jones, who sadly left us so early on in his life. What I liked about George is what you saw was what you got, he didn't mince his words, he called a spade a spade. A man of great patience and kindness. In these days of telephone hold music, reporting problems online, call centres, and chat bots, the likes of George will be greatly missed.’
Brian Williams
‘So very sorry to hear. This is sad news. I came across George Bell on a number of occasions. He was a very interesting guy with lots of knowledge. He helped me on several occasions.’
Sandra Heaton
‘This is indeed tragic news about George. Yes indeed, he was one of the most leading figures in the world of Access Technology. Right from the very beginning when I started working in the industry, George was instrumental in my own beginning. He was always very friendly and supportive. I started the Access UK group, I think quite shortly after the Jaws UK group way back, and eventually, when my own work got quite a lot, George stepped in and eventually took over the Access UK group and eventually moved it over to this new system.
I personally have a lot to thank George for and know he will be sadly missed.
All my condolences to his family.’
Steve Hyde-Dryden
‘Oh I wasn’t even aware! Such sad news. I remember chatting to him in the late 90s and early 2000s, especially with Techno-Vision Systems and getting his advice on things. A very knowledgeable guy. Of course not forgetting his Scottish accent!
Condolences to his family.’
Sajid Ali
‘This is sad news indeed and I hope his family know how much he was valued by all those he helped over the years.’
Alison May
‘Rest in peace George, and thank you for everything you did for our community.’
Martin Brown
‘I didn't know he was ill. George had a big personality and he was fun to be with. I haven't seen him in many years but I've tried to keep up on him.
May he rest in Peace.’
Deane Blazie
‘Well this fills me with sadness. anyway My thoughts are with his family. I bought my first screen reader from him, WindowBridge, remember that one folks? anyway sorry to here this news.’
Kevin Cussick
‘So sorry to hear of George's passing. Whilst I never met George, I did speak to him once on the phone and have seen many contributions from him on several lists.
Thinking of his family and close friends at this sad time.’
Paul Roberts
‘How very sad. George helped me a lot, both with Duxbury and my Index embosser. We had many a conversation about the state of Braille literacy, tech and much else besides.
I appreciated his expertise and his sense of humour. My thoughts are with his family.’
Judith Furse
‘So very sorry to hear this news. I can echo everything that has been said in praise of George. He was a tremendous help in my early days at Rolls Royce. From the Eureka onwards, he always provided full support and wise words and encouragement.
For all of us who knew him, this would have been a much tougher world of work if not for his presence.
Ian Dawson
‘So many thoughtful and kind words for George.
George was a good man, a fine businessman, and has, over the 30 years I have run my business, Helped me in numerous ways. He brought some innovative products into our world, and many are still in use today. I shall Miss him.
RIP George.’
Joe Paton
‘A giant in our community. George will be greatly missed both for his care and his knowledge. RIP, George.’
Barry Hill
‘I met George Bell a few times, usually at Sight Village which I think he was instrumental in setting up, in the 1990s, though others might have been involved. There was also Kevin who serviced a lot of the gear Techno-Vision sold.
I did go to his office once in the 90s and I seem to recall he had a youngish guy there doing some work experience role in his office. I well recall Oggie Jones who I think worked on the sales support side. The specialist device I came across most was the Eureka all-in-one device with Braille input and many apps for writing, composing tunes, and a calculator among other things. In fact, I think it might have had a modem but I am not sure if it could do email and other things. It had a peculiar voice which I don't know I would have got on with.
Owners loved it and I don't know if there's been anything like it since. (I never owned one). I think some did use it to run their businesses.
George sold many Braille products too, and had great knowledge around Braille and translation software.
Ray Gormley
‘I am saddened to hear this news. Being born in Northampton, I met George several times. He taught me to use serial communication software at the time for transferring files to and from notetakers, free of charge. I use the understanding he shown me nearly every day in ham radio today.
RIP George!’
Georgina Joyce
‘I was so saddened to hear of the passing of George Bell. I first came into contact with George and Techno-Vision in around 1994. Both George and Kevin were so supportive to me and my company - DRT. Throughout the years, George has sold me embossers, Braille paper and Duxbury software.
Techno-Vision has always serviced our equipment. George himself has always been very friendly and helpful if not a bit grumpy from time-to-time. I shall miss speaking to him and send condolences to his family.’
Maurice Press
‘I used to love his Scottish sense of humour, and his rants, they were great.
Happy memories!
Steve Nutt
‘Very sad news about George. There are, and have been, very few people with his knowledge of embossers and Braille translation software. I didn’t know him particularly well, but like others have said, I always found him helpful and willing to chat. His legacy is the Sight Village exhibitions which he started with the first one I believe taking place in the Russell Square Hotel back in the day and also latterly the running of these lists.
RIP George.’
Graham Longly
‘George essentially mentored me as we were entering the industry properly. I remember him helping me around my first Sight City, throwing in a full English in the airport for good measure.
He was the first distributor to take up the Canute and took more of a commercial risk on Bristol Braille than anyone else; not, I believe, necessarily because of the every particular of the product, but because he believed that something had to be done and if he wasn't going to, then who would?
He fixed his own machines, knew his customers by name and remembered what products they had bought thirty years ago and what problems he had solved for
them. If he had a customer that wanted machines yesterday, he'd drive from Northampton to Bristol just to pick it up, to avoid the delay of postage. George pushed for multiline Braille support to be included in Duxbury, among dozens of other contributions. He was a tireless advocate for proper formats and formatting as an essential factor of accessibility, and he distributed material for free to encourage this.
I hope all his customers know who to reach if they need help. Of course anyone using our devices can call us, but we're happy to redirect any other queries too as we've been fielding calls like that for a little while, whilst George was unwell.
Ed Rogers, Bristol Braille Technology
‘Once at a TechABreak event, he was very kind enough to buy me a bottle of white wine when I casually mentioned to him outside the hotel that I could really use a drink during a very friendly chat. Guess he literally took me on my word … and it was quite a pricy bottle at that, and delicious wine to boot.
RIP.’
Muzzamil Lakhani