Why We Took Legal Action Against Ablenet
A statement from Tara Rudnicki, President, North America, Tobii Dynavox
Tobii Dynavox is dedicated to advancing communication technology that enables individuals with speech and language impairments to communicate, participate in daily life, and achieve greater independence. For the patients we serve, these devices are not optional. They are essential to health, dignity, and connection.
Today, we filed a lawsuit against AbleNet to address practices we believe improperly exploit our software and create confusion about how communication devices are delivered, supported, and reimbursed. We believe these actions involve enabling the unauthorized use of our technology on third-party devices, while avoiding the integration, clinical support, and long-term service that are critical to patient success.
Tobii Dynavox has invested decades in the research, design, and development of speech generating tools, as well as the clinical infrastructure required to support them. Our work supports individuals with complex conditions including ALS, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, and traumatic brain injury—helping people communicate with caregivers, participate in school and work, express needs and emotions, and maintain greater independence in daily life. We also work closely with speech language pathologists, healthcare providers, and caregivers to ensure that each solution is properly evaluated, customized, and supported over time.
Successful communication outcomes depend not only on our software alone, but on how those tools are delivered, configured, and supported. Speech generating devices are complex medical solutions that require individualized setup, training, and ongoing service. When these elements are properly integrated, we believe patients have the best chance to succeed. When they are not, patients, families, and clinicians may face unnecessary barriers to effective implementation and support.
Tobii Dynavox is committed to upholding the highest standards in the delivery and support of communication technology. We design our systems to be fully integrated, allowing us to provide end-to-end support, remote management, and continuous updates tailored to each patient’s needs. We also provide clinicians and patients with access to assessment tools, training resources, and long-term support services that extend well beyond initial device delivery.
We have made multiple efforts to address these concerns directly with Ablenet, including formal correspondence and requests that their actions cease. When those efforts did not resolve the issue, we determined that legal action was necessary to protect patients, clinicians, and the integrity of the systems that fund medical communication tools.
This action is not about limiting access to communication technology, nor is it about competition between companies. It is about ensuring that communication solutions are delivered in a manner consistent with clinical standards, and the expectations of healthcare programs that fund these solutions.
As a global leader in assistive communication, Tobii Dynavox remains committed to transparency, regulatory compliance, and the highest standards of patient care. We will continue to work with clinicians, patients, and partners across the community to ensure that communication technology is delivered responsibly and supported over the long-term, so that every individual who relies on these tools can succeed.
