What Academic Software does

Academic Software, Inc. (ASI) is a privately held Kentucky corporation founded in 1983 by Dr. Warren E. Lacefield and headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. The company is a small educational research, development, and consulting firm specializing in assistive technology and computer access for children and adults with disabilities and the professionals who serve them. ASI operates with a permanent staff of three professionals (educational psychologists, assistive technology specialists, programmers, and a graphic artist) supplemented by part-time consultants and subcontractors.

The company's core technology is a portfolio of custom single-switch hardware interfaces and accompanying software that enable individuals with severe physical disabilities to operate Windows PCs using only a single adaptive switch. The flagship product is WinSCAN 3.0 CS, a multi-function programmable USB switch interface supporting up to 20 customizable scan positions, linear/row/column scanning, and Text Plus/Text Only keyboard and mouse emulations on Windows 8 and 10. Complementary products include SS-ACCESS (a simpler single-function switch interface), Multi-SCAN 4.0 CS (a single-switch activity center with four educational activities and six animated graphics libraries), and Dino-GAMES (four pre-reading single-switch scanning games for children ages 2-8). The firm also publishes the Handbook of Adaptive Switches and Augmentative Communication Devices, a 300+ page industry-standard reference, and operates the Adaptive Device Locator System (ADLS), a free national web database of products from nearly 1,000 assistive technology vendors hosted at AdaptWorld.com.

ASI monetizes primarily through one-time hardware and software sales priced between $20 and $150 per unit, distributed direct-to-consumer via its e-commerce web-store (acsw.com) with PayPal checkout, supplemented by phone, email, and mail orders, and conference exhibition sales. A secondary revenue stream comes from research and consulting services in research design, statistics, and educational/assistive technology, alongside cumulative non-dilutive SBIR funding exceeding $2.5 million from NIDDR, NIH, NSF, and the US Department of Education. Customer segments include individual families, K-12 schools and teachers, assistive technology specialists and therapists, and health professionals, with international shipping available for global reach.

Name

Academic Software

Legal name

Academic Software, Inc.

Website

https://acsw.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Academic Software, Inc. is a Kentucky-based assistive technology firm that designs and sells single-switch hardware interfaces and software enabling individuals with severe physical disabilities to operate Windows PCs. Founded in 1983, it serves families, schools, and therapists with products including WinSCAN, SS-ACCESS, Multi-SCAN, and Dino-GAMES.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Assistive Technology Software

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415), Other Computer Related Services (541519)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Computer Access & Alternative Input (Switch, Eye Gaze, Head/Mouse, Keyboards) (EDAKAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Needs Skill-Building & Therapy Learning Apps (Autism, OT/PT, Life Skills) (EDAFAKAJ), Assistive Technology (AT) & Accessible Learning Tools (EDALAGAB), Assistive Technology Lending Libraries, Trials & Device Loan Programs (EDAKAIAL), AT Device Setup, Integration & Technical Support (MDM, IT, Interoperability) (EDAKAIAK), Assistive Technology for LD (Reading/Writing Tools & Training) (EDAKAJAH)

Keywords

• Assistive technology software
• Single-switch computer access
• Adaptive switches hardware
• Special education software
• Accessibility products

Headquarters

HQ city

Lexington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware and Software Product Sales: One-time purchase model for hardware interfaces (WinSCAN 3.0 CS at $150, SS-ACCESS at $70) and software products (Multi-SCAN at $100, Dino-GAMES at $20 each or $60 for set of four, Handbook at $30). Products delivered via CD-ROM or flashdrive. Physical goods with shipping and handling charges.
2. Research and Consulting Services: Services in research design, statistics, and educational and assistive technology consulting provided in addition to in-house R&D activities. Collaborates with university and private groups to promote development of innovative products for persons with special needs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Academic Software designs, develops, and distributes custom assistive technology software and USB hardware interfaces that enable individuals with severe physical disabilities to operate Windows PCs using a single adaptive switch. Core commercial offerings include WinSCAN 3.0 CS (multi-function programmable USB switch interface), SS-ACCESS for Windows (single-function switch interface), Multi-SCAN 4.0 CS (single-switch activity center for home/school), and the Dino-GAMES series of single-switch training games for young children.

Product overview

Academic Software, Inc. offers a portfolio of assistive technology products centered on single-switch computer access for people with disabilities. The core product line consists of WinSCAN 3.0 CS (multi-function programmable switch interface), SS-ACCESS for Windows (single-function switch interface), Multi-SCAN 4.0 CS (activity center software), and Dino-GAMES (educational games for young children). WinSCAN and SS-ACCESS are USB hardware-software packages that enable users to control Windows PCs using only a single adaptive switch, with WinSCAN offering advanced programmable scanning displays and SS-ACCESS providing simple plug-and-play single-switch access. Multi-SCAN bundles four single-switch activities in one package for classroom/home use, while Dino-GAMES provides four pre-reading games for children ages 2-6. Supporting products include the Handbook of Adaptive Switches and Augmentative Communication Devices (a 300+ page technical reference) and the Adaptive Device Locator System (a free web database of assistive technology products from nearly 1000 vendors).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Adaptive Device Locator System (ADLS): A free full-spectrum national database on the Web listing products from almost 1000 vendors for elderly and disabled persons
• WinSCAN
• SS-ACCESS for Windows
• Multi-SCAN
• Dino-GAMES
• Handbook of Adaptive Switches and Augmentative Communication Devices

Products and services

• WinSCAN 3.0 CS Multi-function, programmable USB switch interface for PCs with Windows 8 and 10, providing independent single-switch control access to the Windows desktop, applications, games, and the Internet via customizable scanning displays with up to 20 scan positions. Sold for $150 each.
• SS-ACCESS for Windows Single-function, USB switch interface for PCs with Windows 8 and 10 providing simple single-switch access to Windows software with built-in scanning from ASI, Laureate Learning Systems, Edmark, and other publishers. Sold for $70 per package.
• Multi-SCAN 4.0 CS Single-switch activity center software on CD-ROM for Windows 8 or 10 for home and school, featuring built-in adjustable single-switch controls for Dot-to-Dot, Find, Match, and Maze activities, six animated graphics libraries (Animals, Cosmetology, Dinosaurs, Independent Living, Sports, Vocations), and customizable per-user game setups with performance tracking. Sold for $100 each.
• Dino-GAMES Series of four single-switch scanning games for young children ages 2-8: Dino-MAZE (cause/effect and maze navigation), Dino-FIND (concentration/memory), Dino-LIKE (matching), and Dino-DOT (dot-to-dot number concepts). Available individually for $20 each or as a complete set of four for $60.
• Handbook of Adaptive Switches and Augmentative Communication Devices, 3rd Edition Comprehensive 300+ page reference book for assistive technology professionals containing physical descriptions, lab test data (activation/release pressures, travel distances, compliance), functional data, and data sheets for commercially available pressure switches and augmentative communication devices, plus chapters and worksheets on ergonomics, seating, positioning, and control access. Priced at $30.
• Research, Statistics, and Assistive Technology Consulting Services Professional services in research design, statistics, and educational and assistive technology consulting provided in addition to in-house R&D activities, including collaboration with university and private groups to promote development of innovative products for persons with special needs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students with severe physical disabilities can access the same science and math education software and perform the same computer-based activities as peers using standard keyboards and mice, using WinSCAN with appropriate setup files.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Alliance for Technology AccessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASI was a charter vendor member of the Alliance for Technology Access, a network promoting technology access for people with disabilities.
• Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASI was a charter vendor member of ATIA and is a regular exhibitor at major assistive technology conferences.
• AdaptWorld.com (ADLS-on-the-Web)coreTechnology or IntegrationAdaptWorld.com is ASI's sister website hosting the Adaptive Device Locator System (ADLS-on-the-Web), a free full-spectrum national database of assistive technology products from nearly 1000 vendors.
• Unicorn Engineering (now Intellitools, Inc.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASI pioneered software for automating picture overlay production for membrane keyboards and augmentative communications boards, producing the Unicorn Overlay Express for Unicorn Engineering (now Intellitools, Inc.).
• Mayer-Johnson CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerASI produced an Apple version of the Picture Communication Symbols for the Mayer-Johnson Company, pioneering software for automating picture overlay production for augmentative communications boards.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Inclusive Technology Ltd. UK-based supplier of single-switch and cause-and-effect learning activities for SEN/early-years students, overlapping with Multi-SCAN and Dino-GAMES as a core curricular competitor.
• Enabling Devices: Catalog retailer of assistive switches, adapted toys, and computer-access devices, directly comparable to ASI's single-switch hardware and Dino-GAMES accessibility line.
• RJ Cooper & Associates: Specialist AT developer offering switch interfaces, alternative input devices, and adapted software for the same single-switch user population as WinSCAN and SS-ACCESS.
• Origin Instruments Corporation: Manufacturer of adaptive switches and AAC input devices including the HeadMouse and Swifty, closely competing with ASI's computer-access hardware.
• Adaptivation, Inc. Producer of adaptive switches, environmental controls, and assistive communication devices serving the same single-switch and AT professional buyer base.
• AbleNet, Inc. A leading U.S. assistive technology vendor specializing in switches, AAC devices, and computer access for individuals with disabilities—directly overlapping with ASI's single-switch interface and computer-access product line.

Emerging players

• Don Johnston, Inc. Special education and assistive technology vendor serving K-12 with reading, writing, and computer-access tools; overlaps with ASI in school-channel AT purchasing decisions.
• Crick Software: UK-based developer of Clicker and accessibility-enabled learning software for special education, overlapping with ASI's switching setups for educational software in schools.

Broad incumbents

• Tobii Dynavox: Global leader in eye-gaze and AAC communication devices; competes with ASI's single-switch approach as a broader AT/alternative-input incumbent reaching the same clinical and school customers.
• Prentke Romich Company (PRC): Established AAC and computer-access device manufacturer serving speech-language pathologists and special education, sitting in the same AT purchasing funnel as ASI's switch interfaces.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Academic Software