Hello. We are AssistiveWare.

We’re not just a company; we’re on a social mission to build a more inclusive world. A world where people who cannot use speech to communicate can fully participate in society. What sets us apart is that we dare to go our own way with a relentless focus on social change and strong personal connections to our user community.

Featured on

Join us in our mission

We are dedicated to making Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) an effective and accepted means of communication. Our work goes beyond creating tools - we actively work towards a society that understands and accepts AAC.

A collage of 3 images in a row of AAC users. In the middle image, together with the AAC users are AssistiveWare’s founder - David Niemejer, and Amanda Hartman.

We believe in...

An icon of a lightbulb
Challenging the status quo

We constantly seek new ways to improve and innovate and we’re not afraid to challenge the status quo.

A stylized image of a hand handing over a heart
Working towards social change

We are passionate about driving social change and making a positive impact on society.

Icon Community L
Being part of the community

We’re not spectators - many of us are AAC users, parents, specialists, and educators, actively immersed in the world of AAC.

Shannon Des Roches Rosa (red haired women with glasses) looking at the camera

AssistiveWare is a rare company that embraces its users as people, not merely as customers. Unlike many developers in disability spaces, AssistiveWare listens, learns, and evolves its products in response.

Shannon Des Roches Rosa

Senior editor and co-founder - Thinking Person's Guide to Autism

How we work

Discover the guiding principles that make AssistiveWare unique.

04 User centered
User-centered

We are committed to user-centered design. Our users are at the center of our product design and advocacy work.

04 Grounded research
Grounded in research

Our work is informed by the science of learning and grounded in the latest research and clinical insights from the fields of AAC and language development.

04 Advocacy
Advocacy and awareness

We support initiatives that raise awareness about AAC and promote inclusion. We often join forces and offer the microphone to self-advocates, so their important message can reach more people.

Where we come from

Born out of a desire to help a friend in need over two decades ago, AssistiveWare has grown into a pioneering force in the field of assistive technology. Today we help hundreds of thousands of people across the globe to express themselves and fully participate in society.

05 collage come from

AssistiveWare Milestones

2002-2008: Developed the first full suite of universal access solutions for people with motor, vision and speech disabilities for Mac OS X.

2009: Released Proloquo2Go, the first full-featured Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app for iOS.

2012: Co-created the first genuine text-to-speech children’s voices, so nonspeaking children can sound like children.

2015: Created the first truly bilingual AAC (Proloquo2Go) so bilingual AAC users can express themselves fully.

2016: AssistiveWare Core Word Classroom was born. Over 10,000 people use this resource today to learn AAC best practices.

2018: Launched Learn AAC, a section of our website with a freely-accessible collection of AAC articles in four languages.

2019: Released simPODD, the first English PODD solution that brings the digital page sets and printing together in one app.

2021: Released This Is Not About Me—a documentary centering on the growing-up experience of non-speaking advocate Jordyn Zimmerman.

2022: Launched Proloquo and Proloquo Coach globally in English with five data-driven, locally relevant vocabularies for United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and UK and Ireland.

        over 500,000
        AAC apps downloaded
        140 countries
        where our solutions are used
        20 nationalities
        on our team

        From Amsterdam to the world

        We call beautiful Amsterdam our home, but our team spans 20 nationalities across four continents and seven timezones.

        Map Image

        Help us change the world—work with us!

        Join our mission to break down barriers in communication. Explore opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and make a meaningful impact with AssistiveWare.

        Icon Autonomy L
        Autonomy

        At AssistiveWare, we believe in the power of exploration. You'll have the freedom to find your own solutions and make your unique mark on our projects. It's about trusting you to bring your best to the table, every time.

        An illustration of two hands shaking, forming a heart
        Diversity

        With a team of 42 people spanning 17 nationalities across 4 continents and 7 timezones, you'll be joining a truly global family. We're a colorful mix of cultures, ideas, backgrounds and perspectives - and we wouldn't have it any other way.

        Icon Growth L
        Growth mindset

        With dedicated time and budget for your professional advancement, you'll have the resources to keep learning, evolving, and reaching new heights.

        Vacancies

        Currently, there are no open positions. Subscribe to our LinkedIn page and be the first to know when a position becomes available.

        Meet the AssistiveWare team

        “Communication defines who we are and how we relate to others. I want to help enable everyone to communicate and make a difference in the world.”
        David Niemeijer

        Founder and CEO

        “I’m proud that our solutions help people connect to each other.”
        Martijn Leopold

        Partner and CFO/CTO

        “AAC is for everyone, mouth words are just for most people. Why isn't speech the 'alternative'?”
        Alyssa Hillary Zisk

        AAC Researcher

        “With the right AAC tools, we can build language, real communication and genuine connections.”
        Amanda Hartmann

        Speech-Language Pathologist

        “I wish that everyone without a voice is included. Communication is more than just talking. As a member of the support team, I love to help with the use of AAC.”
        Aukje-Tjitske Dieleman

        Support Specialist

        “Everyone has the right to communicate! I want to expand AAC knowledge to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to communicate.”
        Barbara van ’t Westende

        Speech and Language Therapist

        “Everyone has something to say, if only we can give them the tools they need to say it.”
        Brett Elliott

        Support Specialist

        Dana Eid Picture
        “It's so empowering to be able to drive change and build a more inclusive world through digital marketing. For that, I'm genuinely grateful!”
        Dana Eid

        Digital Marketing Manager

        Eleonora portrait
        “It is a true joy to put my creative soul and my differently wired mind at the service of our users and their community so that together we can change the way we communicate!”
        Eleonora Spagnuolo

        Art Director

        “Support is about human interaction, just like communication is. That is the connection we strive for and that makes me feel so proud of my job.”
        Enrique Ballesteros

        Support Specialist

        “We can do this! Together, we can make communication and self-determination accessible to every single person.”
        Erin Sheldon

        Director of Learning Design

        “We all have the capacity to learn, and I feel fortunate to work towards maximizing everyone’s communication potential.”
        Euan Robertson

        Speech and Language Therapist

        Hanieh Kaheli
        “I try to walk a mile in your shoes to truly understand your world. This is the compass guiding me in creating solutions that aim to make your life a touch easier.”
        Hanieh Kaheli

        UX Designer

        Ilaria portrait
        “Images are an exciting and challenging part of communication; I love to use my creativity to help improve other people’s lives!”
        Ilaria Zonda

        Graphic Designer

        “By presuming competence and providing a method of communication, AAC users can be more actively involved in decision-making and the direction of their life”
        Irene Hunter

        Support Specialist

        Isabel Orellana
        “Everybody deserves a voice. I love being part of this endeavor!”
        Isabel Orellana

        Support Specialist

        “As a longtime associate of AssistiveWare, I am committed to helping people with their access needs and learning Apple’s built-in accessibility features.”
        Joe Barnick

        Support Specialist

        “I aspire to help my fellow AAC users say what's on their minds.”
        Lily Konyn

        Support Specialist / AAC Researcher

        Lucie portrait
        “Being surrounded by talented, driven and caring colleagues is a true blessing. Knowing we're all working to erase communication barriers makes it even better.”
        Lucie Garcia

        Support Team Lead

        “I believe that people without a voice deserve to be helped to find an alternative way to express their dreams, their stories, their sense of humor and their vision of life.”
        Magali Barthère

        Support Specialist

        Maria Gómez
        “Creating animations is a fantastic thing that I love, creating them with a purpose is an absolute honor.”
        María Gómez

        Motion Graphic Designer

        Mary Williams Portrait
        “Proud to be supporting a team that is working towards equal communication and opportunities for all.”
        Mary Williams

        Office Manager

        Mathijs Brand
        “It is a joy to work with so many kind and smart colleagues on a product that matters”
        Mathijs Brand

        Product Manager

        Mitko portrait
        “It’s a privilege to be able to make a difference in the lives of our users, and it’s a joy to work with people who care.”
        Mitko Lambov

        Marketing and Communications Lead

        Olawale portrait
        “I love empowering people through design by removing barriers to technology.”
        Olawale Olagoke

        UX/UI Designer

        Olga Reutelingsperger
        “Don’t be so sure. Let’s listen carefully to create solutions that improve people’s lives every day.”
        Olga Reutelingsperger

        Director of Product

        “As the mom of an AAC family, I know the struggle to accept and fit AAC into a busy family life. My focus is on coaching families to discover what works best for them. I believe all AAC families can and should experience joy on their AAC journey.”
        Pam Harris

        AAC Coach

        “Communication is the pathway to inclusion, and I want to support our users on their journey as much as I can.”
        Patty Heine

        Support Specialist

        “The goal is not to create an echo, but to hear an authentic voice.”
        Rachael Langley

        Speech-Language Pathologist

        Rikako Iwamoto
        “I believe that design can bring true value to users, which helps them to reach their full potential.”
        Rikako Iwamoto

        Service Designer

        “Taking a closer look at the context of our users will make us see their ‘real’ problems and challenges. It will help us to design the right experience and create useful solutions.”
        Rosalinde Belzer

        Director of UX

        Sarah Akins
        “Communication is at the heart of HR and is the heart of AssistiveWare”
        Sarah Akins

        People and Culture Manager

        Sarah Balaz
        “I am proud to work for a company that is breaking down the barriers to communication.”
        Sarah Balaz

        Communications Specialist

        “By breaking down the barriers to communication and literacy we support AAC users to build communication and make meaningful connections with those around them”
        Shannon Braithwaite

        Special Education Specialist

        Stelios Paraschiakos
        “I love using data science to help improve the tools that make communication easier and foster a more inclusive world.”
        Stelios Paraschiakos

        Data Scientist

        Sukhada Apte
        “Visual communication can take you beyond words. What a joy that I get to do this everyday for this wonderful purpose.”
        Sukhada Apte

        Graphic Designer

        Susan portrait
        “I help design great user experiences, using words. Because through language and communication, we create understanding, build relationships and become a community.”
        Susan Muthalaly

        UX Writer

        Tereza
        “I try to walk a mile in your shoes to truly understand your world. This is the compass guiding me in creating solutions that aim to make your life a touch easier.”
        Tereza Loucova

        UX Designer

        “Everyone is capable of so much more and using AAC can show this. So let's make use of it!”
        Tina Lorenzana

        Support Specialist

        Vanessa Rabenja
        “I believe in building products with empathy. It is not only about technology, it is contributing to a more inclusive society.”
        Vanessa Rabenja

        Product Manager

        “Those who can not communicate are often underestimated. By offering them means to communicate, we give them the ability to express, grow, and show us who they really are.”
        Willemijn Wetzels

        Speech and Language Therapist

        Yakim portrait
        “I like to help solve people’s everyday problems by creating delightful experiences. My goal is to make AAC a natural and accepted part of people’s life.”
        Yakim van Zuijlen

        UX/UI Designer

        Yefan Wang
        “Design is about problem-solving and creating experiences. Make it simple and delightful.”
        Yefan Wang

        Product Manager

        Alegandra Montero
        “I like to teach people new eating habits using the flavors of the world.”
        Alejandra Montero

        Chef

        Our software development partner

        At AssistiveWare, we believe in the power of collaboration to create impactful solutions for our users. This is why we've chosen The Software MacKiev Company as our software development partner. Together, our integrated team, comprising over 20 skilled software engineers and quality assurance professionals, brings a diverse range of expertise to the table. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that our apps not only leverage the latest technologies but also undergo rigorous testing by a team dedicated to excellence.