History

Assistive Technologies' mission statement is to provide technology access solutions at home, in the workplace, and at schools. Founded and managed by a person with quadriplegia, Assistive Technologies uses modern technology to improve productivity.

Don Dalton started his company thirteen years ago and was one of the first Dragon Systems certified VARs, at a time when Dragon Dictate was the cutting edge speech recognition software and sold for $10,000 a unit. At that time, the company's primary business was to take care of the disabled through assistive technology solutions. Don and his team researched over fifty pieces of assistive technology, including speech recognition software. Today, the staff of six sells over 7,000 different products, and its markets have grown to include the corporate and medical verticals.

Tom Dalton, Don's son and head of the company's medical division, affirms that the company's main medical focus is on small to mid-size doctor's offices. These more intimate sizes allow Assistive Technologies to give more personal interaction to the doctors, which includes in-depth product training that instills the confidence the doctors need to use the software successfully.

The company's product offerings also include the ScanSoft imaging line. Don maintains that these products have always been helpful productivity tools within many vertical markets. However, much of their business is with the Dragon NaturallySpeaking° line of products. Don says that the company's exclusive speech recognition line is Dragon NaturallySpeaking° because of its superiority over the competition. In addition to product sales, Assistive Technologies puts a heavy emphasis on training their clients, whether on site, via the internet, or even via telephone.

Assistive Technologies builds its business in various ways, including online orders from its website, leads from their manufacturer base, and talking to people face-to-face. However, their best business comes from their existing customer base spanning the last thirteen years. Don says that they are successful in selling Dragon Natural lySpeaking' because of its ability to improve one's productivity.

When asked what sorts of challenges he faces in his business, Don frankly responded that his biggest challenge, ironically, is the resistance of people to do business with a disabled person But the smallmindedness of some does not stop the Assistive Technologies team from doing what provides each of them with personal satisfaction and inspiration - helping others to overcome obstacles and achieve productivity.