AbleNet History

The AbleNet story begins in 1980, when Lee Hallgren, a research chemist employed by Minnesota-based Honeywell Corporation, saw a news segment about a child with cerebral palsy. Hallgren was immediately intrigued with what he called, "a clunky piece of equipment, essentially a rudimentary switch" that, when attached to the boy's foot, allowed him to communicate with caregivers and family members for the very first time. Bothered by the impractical nature of the foot-activated device, Hallgren contacted Minneapolis-based United Cerebral Palsy Center (UCPC) with an offer to assist the organization in developing a professionally engineered switch.

Hallgren was put in touch with Cheryl Volkman, a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant and the Director of UCPC's Preschool Developmental Achievement Center, also known as 'AccessAbility.' Together, they determined that Hallgren's switch design should incorporate an oversized activation surface that would respond to the slightest touch, as well as a simple system for connecting the switch to any battery-operated device. The result was a rough prototype that, thanks to Hallgren's affiliation with Honeywell Corporation, employed a highly sensitive micro-switch -- an advance that catapulted it years ahead of homemade switches available at the time.

Hallgren and Volkman chose a battery-operated drumming bear to test the usability of the switch with children in the AccessAbility program. The large activation surface and highly responsive micro-switch allowed children with physical disabilities to experience repeated success, and the toy motivated them to use it again and again. The switch and the bear were an instant hit.

In the months that followed several key people at Honeywell Corporation took an interest in the switch project, which inspired dozens of volunteers from Honeywell and other corporations, including Minnesota-based 3-M and EcoLab, to lend their expertise to its development. Everyone, it seemed, was beginning to see possibilities beyond simply adapting battery-operated toys.

The question was, would the rest of the world see those same possibilities?

Enter Jackie Levin, a speech pathologist with a Master of Arts degree in Communication Disorders. Levin saw tremendous potential for the switch, but instinctively knew that special education teachers and therapists would need a deep understanding of how the device could be used to achieve student goals and measure success in order to pique their interests.

To clear that hurdle, Hallgren, Volkman, Levin, and Mary Kay Walch, a young woman who had recently joined the AccessAbility preschool staff and also a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant, invited teachers, therapists, parents and children to participate in what they called "Santa's Workshops." These no-frills gatherings allowed the foursome to demonstrate how easy it was to adapt any battery-operated toy for use with the switch. The response was overwhelming. Special Education professionals and parents were seeing children activate their favorite toys without the assistance of an adult -- often for the first time in their lives.

Word spread quickly and calls began flooding into AccessAbility. Some were asking for parts to make their own switches, while others wanted to purchase pre-assembled switches. It was clear that the professionally designed switch was a marketable product that would allow children with physical and cognitive disabilities to participate in a variety of activities. Hallgren was inspired and went on to develop PowerLink®, a control unit for adapting line-operated devices, such as blenders, popcorn poppers and other small appliances known to be highly motivating for children with disabilities.

Hallgren's original switch prototype, eventually dubbed BIG Red® for its bright red activation surface, had evolved into a streamlined product that was ready for field-testing in special education classrooms. 130 volunteers assembled the switches for testing in 100 schools. Again, the response was overwhelming and it was clear that demand would be high.

Still operating as a division of AccessAbility, 'AbleNet' was officially launched as a non-profit organization in 1985. Additional assistive technology products were developed, resourced and brought to market -- each supporting the new company's philosophy that "everyone can participate, communicate and learn." By 1990, sales pushed the $1 million mark, and with the help of Ed Law, a seasoned local businessman and angel investor, AbleNet was spun off as a partially employee-owned, for-profit company with Cheryl Volkman at the helm.

Today, AbleNet is 100% employee-owned with 35 devoted employee/owners on staff, and a worldwide network of independent distributors who represent the company in 49 countries. AbleNet offers a complete line of assistive technologies, as well as research-based special education curricula specifically designed for teaching students with disabilities that range from mild and moderate to severe/profound – an industry first!

AbleNet's commitment to people, products, service, and support, pushed sales over the $10 million mark in 2007.

Where Are They Today?

Cheryl Volkman handed the President and CEO reins to a well-qualified successor in 2007 -- a savvy move that has freed her to focus on promoting AbleNet as a research partner for advancing the concept of literacy paired with augmentative and alternative communication for persons with disabilities.

AbleNet's first two official employees, Jackie Levin and Mary Kay Walch, are still on board as Director of Research and New Product Development and Marketing Associate, respectively.

Lee Hallgren retired from Honeywell in 1990, and continues to volunteer his time and expertise to AbleNet whenever needed.