What is the AbleNet Research Consortium (ARC)?

The 'AbleNet Research Consortium' was developed for the purpose of increasing the scientifically based research available on AbleNet curriculum, professional development and assistive technology. The Consortium also supports requirements set forth by No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation, which calls for the use of scientifically based research as the foundation for many educational programs and classroom instruction. The consortium is a group of internal and external advisors and reviewers who work together to assure the research supported by AbleNet provides rigorous, systematic and objective data for use in its organization. The consortium also serves to integrate the learning that will occur from these research activities to create current program and product improvements as well as to create new program and product offerings.

Who is ARC designed for?

Research grants/stipends, curriculum and assistive technology supports are currently being offered to Ph. D. and Masters level students as well as individual researchers. Public, charter and private schools and/or groups employed at 501(c) (3) nonprofit organizations are also welcome when they are partnered with accredited researchers. Funding is available to any researcher or group associated with a United States or Canadian-based institution. Grant proposals will be evaluated, in addition to other criteria, on their potential to materially improve the lives of students with disabilities in the classroom environment.

Who is AbleNet?

Our Vision
We believe that every person can learn, communicate and participate. We strive to make this vision real by creating tools and programs that create unlimited opportunities for everyone who is challenged by complex disabilities worldwide.

Our History
We were founded in a preschool developmental achievement center volunteer project in 1985. In the first five years as a nonprofit, sales grew from $20,000 to $900,000. In 1990 AbleNet, Inc. became an independent for-profit enterprise. In 1998, it became 100% employee owned. The past years have brought significant growth nationally and internationally in an industry that continues to expand due to the intense need people with disabilities experience and the technological opportunities that continue to develop.

Our Commitment
We create simple-to-use assistive technology products and educational programs that empower people with complex physical and cognitive disabilities. Our products and programs have been used in thousands of included and self-contained classrooms around the world for over two decades. Whether you are new to using simple assistive technology or are already an expert teacher/trainer, therapist, caregiver or parent, we will support you with fun and meaningful learning experiences that will save you time and help demonstrate your effectiveness. Above all else, our goal is to make teaching students with disabilities effective, fun, easier and, hopefully, deeply fulfilling.

Our People
The corporate vision that every person can learn, communicate and participate brings value and meaning to our company's 30 employee owners. As an ESOP (employee owned company), our employee owners are directly accountable for customer satisfaction at every level of the business. Employee ownership supports and celebrates the skills, talents and commitment our owners bring to work every day.

What is the AbleNet Research Consortium philosophy?

The design, development, and implementation of innovative curricular supports and assistive technology has been the core focus of AbleNet since its beginning. We have always recognized that it is not enough to simply provide products to the marketplace. As a result, we are routinely engaged in market research to understand the most effective combinations of curriculum, training and assistive technology integration for students with moderate to severe cognitive and physical disabilities. This market research lead to the development of our innovative solutions over the last 22 years.

Now, we seek to enhance our dedication to students with disabilities by supporting independent researchers in order to obtain external, objective and scientifically-based evidence about what works best with the solutions we offer. We are committed to continued improvement with all of our solutions so that students can achieve the greatest results possible. This knowledge will support future product and curriculum development as well as create the most effective implementation strategies for the classroom.

Why do we fund research?

Our approach to innovation has always included partnerships with school districts, therapists, researchers and educators to study our products, curriculum and professional development. While these studies have generated impressive results, we feel we have a duty to broaden our scope of study to assure district administrators and other customers have evidence-based research supporting the purchases they make from AbleNet. Together with the assistance of the academic community, we plan to study teaching techniques, curriculum and technology integration in much more detail. This research program seeks and funds academic research in order to help us achieve our corporate mission: To enhance the lives of people with disabilities.

How does ARC support NCLB?

The AbleNet Research Consortium also exists to support the requirements of the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) legislation which defines the need for using solutions in education that are supported by evidence-based research.

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) federal guidelines set standards for defining 'scientifically-based' research in education. The AbleNet Research Consortium fully expects its funded research to comply with such definitions as defined in Title IX of the No Child Left Behind Act. More information is available at http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg107.html

What types of research are desired?

We are actively soliciting proposals for all types of research that fit within our stated mission, however, our immediate attention is focused on current AbleNet curriculum and the integration of Assistive Technology tools within the curriculum and in the classroom. Additional research topics will be evaluated by our consortium on a case by case basis.

Learn more here

What are the benefits to AbleNet stakeholders?

Benefits to administrators
Adminstrators need to make purchase decisions based on evidence-based research in order to have confidence that the purchases they support result in student achievement.. The AbleNet Consortium will provide data and information that will assist a district in understanding what they are buying and how it needs to be supported to achieve the greatest results possible for students, teachers and the school community.

Benefits to educators
The AbleNet Research Consortium seeks to help teachers be consumers as well as producers of research. For teachers interested in conducting research in their own classroom, we propose to support your efforts to design a research study that will yield efficacy data. For teachers interested in accessing the research knowledge base, the AbleNet Research Consortium, will provide educators specific evidence of effectiveness, suggestions for best practices, and the peace of mind that comes from getting support from the academic community.

Benefits to parents
Parents of students with disabilities deserve to know that the education their child is receiving has been shown — through scientifically-obtained evidence — to prepare him or her for the most meaningful life inside and outside the classroom possible. The AbleNet Research Consortium provides financial and other support to researchers studying exactly that group of students, helping to build a base of knowledge for this group of people who pose very special educational challenges.

Benefits to students
Improving the lives of students is the core purpose of the AbleNet Research Consortium. By specifically supporting special education research, we can help deliver on the promise of education to prepare students to become functional, engaged and successful members of their communities.