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Technology Assessment of the
U.S. Assistive Technology Industry
February 2003

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Table of Contents

• Acknowledgements
• Foreword
• Executive Summary

I. Introduction

• Markets & Future Demand

II. AT Industry Composition

• Scope & Diversity of U.S. AT Industry
• Sales & Revenues
• AT Company Profitability
• AT Industry Employment

III. Market Strength & Reach of U.S. AT Firms

• AT Technological Leadership, Research & Development
• Market Opportunities & Challenges
• U.S. Exports & Foreign Competition
• U.S. AT Industry’s Future

IV. Positioning U.S. AT Firms for Growth

• The Regulatory Environment
• Strengthening U.S. AT Technological Capabilities
• Manufacturing & Design
• Universal Design
• Attracting & Retaining Skilled Personnel

V. Financing & Investment

• Capital Expenditures
• Trends in R&D Expenditures & Funding
• Utilization of External Funding

VI. Government, Industry & the Future

• Future Funding Bottlenecks

VII. Recommendations

• Overview
• Recommendations

VIII. Appendices

1. Laws Impacting the Assistive Technology Industry
2. Evolving Health Programs: A Key Driver In The U.S. AT Industry
3. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
4. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
5. Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC)
6. Department of Veterans Affairs Research and Development
7. Assistive Technology Industry Survey
8. Publications List

Tables & Charts

• Table 1 AT Company Sales Revenues By World Market Region
• Table 2 Assistive Technology Product Categories
• Table 3 States Hosting The Most AT Firms
• Table 4 Net Income For U.S. AT Industry by Size
• Table 5 Profitability Profile of Companies Engaged in the AT Industry-1999
• Table 6 AT Industry Income Growth 1997-1999
• Table 7 Assistive Technology Company Net Income
• Table 8 Composition of U.S. AT Company Workforce
• Table 9 Facilities Operated By AT Survey Participants
• Table 10 Business Activity Characterization
• Table 11 Top Competing Nations
• Table 12 Foreign Competitors’ Advantages
• Table 13 Can Foreign Competitors Manufacture Less Expensively?
• Table 14 Technology Breakout
• Table 15 Self-Reported Business Prospects
• Table 16 Relevance of Technologies/Interest in Federal Lab Assistance
• Table 17 Universal Design Questions and Responses
• Table 18 Reported AT Industry Skills Shortages
• Table 19 AT Industry Sales & Capital Outlays
• Table 20 AT Firm Capital Outlays As A Percent of Sales
• Table 21 R&D As A Percent of Sales Revenue
• Table 22 SBIR Grants For AT R&D
• Table 23 Summary of Respondents’ SBIR Proposals
• Table 24 NIH Assistive Technology Research Spending
• Chart 1 Product Focus of Surveyed U.S. AT Companies
• Chart 2 AT Revenues by Region
• Chart 3 Industry Product Priority Areas By Technology
• Chart 4 Industry Interest in Mechanisms for Working with Fed. R&D Centers
• Chart 5 Federal Budget Outlays

For further information about this report, please contact

Margaret Cahill, Trade and Industry Analyst 202-482-8226;
Stephen Baker, Trade and Industry Analyst 202-482-2017; or
Brad Botwin, Division Director 202-482-4060. Alternatively, send us an email or a fax to 202-482-5650.

 

                          

 

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