Academic Software, Inc., (ASI) is a small Kentucky-based educational research, development, and consulting firm completing its 21st year as a corporation headquartered in Lexington. ASI specializes in the field of assistive technology and computer access for children and adults with disabilities and for health professionals who work with people with disabilities. The company employs a permanent staff of three professionals (educational psychologists, assistive technology specialists, programmers, graphic artists, and others) as well as a part-time and temporary staff of six to twelve consultants, subcontractors, and other resource personnel. The company has been very successful in the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program and has received Phase I and II support from NIDDR, NIH, NSF, and the US Department of Education.
ASI designs and distributes a number of custom software and hardware products for the educational research and assistive technology communities. These include the Adaptive Device Locator System (ADLS), a full spectrum national database, listing products from over 1000 vendors for elderly and disabled persons and the family members and professionals who assist them. A recently completed project supported by the US Department of Education places ADLS-on-the-Web where it can be accessed throughout the world.
ASI pioneered the development of software to automate the production of picture overlays for membrane keyboards and augmentative communications boards, producing the Unicorn Overlay Express for Unicorn Engineering (now Intellitools, Inc.) and the Apple version of the Picture Communication Symbols for the Mayer-Johnson Company. Now, however, the company is best known for its products for single switch access for PC computer users. According to Dr. Warren Lacefield, president of ASI, "Today, inexpensive PC computers can be adapted as easily as the Macintosh for home, classroom, or business use by persons with special needs."
ASI produces the SS-ACCESS PC Package, a single-function, single switch, serial interface for Windows and DOS, and WinSCAN, a powerful multi-function switch interface package for PCs with Windows. With WinSCAN, a person can turn on the computer and immediately access all the features of Windows 3.1/95/98; manage and navigate the desktop; run programs and CDs; even surf the Internet; using only a single-switch.
Recently our company completed an exciting adapted curriculum project supported by the National Science Foundation entitled "Single Switch Access to Science Software" (and scientific web sites). This project demonstrated clearly that with WinSCAN and the appropriate setup files, children who use single switches can access the same math and science education software and perform the same scientific computer-based activities as do other children in the classroom who use the keyboard and mouse. Out of this research and two new projects (Beyond Cause and Effect, NIH, and MultiSCAN 2000, DepEdu) will soon come a variety of supplemental materials for science and math education that teachers can use to help insure the accessibility of the curriculum.
In addition to its interface products, ASI produces the popular Dino-GAME series of single switch scanning games for young children and the Multi-SCAN single switch activity center program for classroom and home use with Mac or PC computers. ASI manufactures a new type of force adjustable, electronic pressure switch featuring a soft, compliant, 5" diameter activation area. The Analog Switch Pad is suitable for battery toys, environmental controls, and computer access. The company also publishes the Handbook of Adaptive Switches and Augmentative Communication Devices. The 3rd edition of this 300+ page Handbook contains physical descriptions, lab tests, and functional data for a wide variety of commercially available pressure switches and augcom devices. Chapters and worksheets cover physical interaction, seating and positioning, and control access issues. The Handbook has become an essential reference tool for assistive technology professionals, therapists, and others who make decisions concerning physical access.
In addition to in-house R&D activities, the company provides services in areas of research design, statistics, and educational and assistive technology and collaborates with other university and private groups to promote the development of innovative products for persons with special needs. ASI is a charter vendor member of the Alliance for Technology Access and the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) and is a regular exhibitor at major assistive technology conferences throughout the country. The company can be reached by phone at 859-552-1020, by fax at 859-273-1943, or by e-mail at asistaff@acsw.com.
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