SWAAAC

SWAAAC SWAAAC originated in Colorado schools in 1985 with 25 members. AT includes both products and services.

The State Wide Assistive Technology and Augmentative Alternative Communication (SWAAAC) Program provides multidisciplinary Assistive Technology services to students with disabilities across the state of Colorado. SWAAAC is a statewide initiative supported by the Colorado Department of Education, and managed by The Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering (CIDE) at the University of Colorado Den

ver, Department of Bioengineering. Today, there are over 60 participating school districts and nearly 500 SWAAAC team members across the state. The primary aim of SWAAAC is to support Assistive Technology (AT) teams in Colorado school districts. Assistive technology (AT) is any tool, from low to high tech, that helps an individual with disabilities achieve greater independence and ensures access to his or her education. Assistive Technology teams are interdisciplinary groups comprised of education professionals from disciplines such as speech language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, special education, and psychology. They work collaboratively to provide AT services in schools to enable students with disabilities to achieve full access and participation in educational opportunities. Most school districts in Colorado have SWAAAC teams to serve their students with disabilities. These teams may be called SWAAAC Teams or Assistive Technology Teams. Check with your Special Education Department if you do not see your district team coordinator listed under “Contact Us” on the SWAAAC website at www.swaaac.com.

After two days of our virtual Conference for Assistive Technology in Education (CATE), participants shared many takeaway...
06/19/2026

After two days of our virtual Conference for Assistive Technology in Education (CATE), participants shared many takeaways. To learn about ways to obtain a keyguard, click here to Ken Hackbarth’s company, Volksswitch:https://volksswitch.org/index.php/volks-devices/customizable-3d-printable-keyguard-for-grid-based-free-form-and-hybrid-aac-apps-on-tablets/


[Image Description: CATE Learnings #2. Two photos of 3D printed keyguards. Text bubble reads, “I loved learning about the creative solutions Mariel Knauss, SLP from Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, used to provide for her students. Ken Hackbarth complimented Mariel’s insights by sharing info, resources, and technical specifications for 3D printing custom keyguards. This can make all the difference in helping students with visual impairments access communication.”]

After two days of our virtual Conference for Assistive Technology in Education (CATE), participants shared many takeaway...
06/19/2026

After two days of our virtual Conference for Assistive Technology in Education (CATE), participants shared many takeaways. To learn about ways to obtain a keyguard, click to Ken Hackbarth’s company, Volksswitch: https://volksswitch.org/index.php/volks-devices/customizable-3d-printable-keyguard-for-grid-based-free-form-and-hybrid-aac-apps-on-tablets/



[Image Description: CATE Learnings #2. Two photos of 3D printed keyguards. Text bubble reads, “I loved learning about the creative solutions Mariel Knauss, SLP from Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, used to provide for her students. Ken Hackbarth complimented Mariel’s insights by sharing info, resources, and technical specifications for 3D printing custom keyguards. This can make all the difference in helping students with visual impairments access communication.”]

This post does not constitute an endorsement of products or services.

After two days of our virtual Conference for Assistive Technology in Education (CATE), participants shared many takeaway...
06/18/2026

After two days of our virtual Conference for Assistive Technology in Education (CATE), participants shared many takeaways. To learn about ways to obtain a keyguard, click on the link in our bio to Ken Hackbarth’s company, Volksswitch.

[Image Description: CATE Learnings #2. Two photos of 3D printed keyguards. Text bubble reads, “I loved learning about the creative solutions Mariel Knauss, SLP from Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, used to provide for her students. Ken Hackbarth complimented Mariel’s insights by sharing info, resources, and technical specifications for 3D printing custom keyguards. This can make all the difference in helping students with visual impairments access communication.”]

This post does not constitute an endorsement of products or services.

Our office will be closed Friday, June 19th. We will respond to your needs the following Monday. Thank you![Image Descri...
06/18/2026

Our office will be closed Friday, June 19th. We will respond to your needs the following Monday. Thank you!

[Image Description: Images of hearts painted in red, green, and red stripes on right side. On left side, SWAAAC office closed June 19th. Juneteenth. Freedom Day.]

Accessibility Tip Tuesday! Did you know? Microsoft has an Accessibility Checker. It is available in Word, Outlook, Excel...
06/16/2026

Accessibility Tip Tuesday! Did you know? Microsoft has an Accessibility Checker. It is available in Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. When you click on Accessibility Checker, it shows errors and warnings, with how-to-fix recommendations for each. Make your content easier for people to read and edit. Click on this link to learn more about Microsoft’s Checker: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/office-accessibility/improve-accessibility-with-the-accessibility-checker

[Image Description: Graphic is titled Accessibility Tip Tuesday. Next line reads, Use an Accessibility Checker! Graphic shows a zoomed in screenshot of the Check Accessibility button and its drop down menu contents. Bottom logo reads SWAAAC.]

This post does not constitute an endorsement of products or services.

It’s week 21 of the US Department of Education's document clarifying common AT misconceptions! Today it’s about who can ...
06/16/2026

It’s week 21 of the US Department of Education's document clarifying common AT misconceptions! Today it’s about who can deploy AT devices or provide AT services. Read more, link in our bio.

[Image Description: Title is “Assistive Technology Myths and Facts.” A red X appears on a text bubble that reads, Myth 21: Only staff who specialize in AT can deploy AT devices or provide AT services. A green check mark appears on a bubble that reads, Fact 20: IDEA requires the IEP Team to have representatives of the LEA who are qualified to provide or supervise the provision of specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities. Bottom logo reads, The Center for Innovative Design and Engineering (CIDE) SWAAAC.]

This post does not constitute an endorsement of products or services.

Painting with water is a fun way to develop fine motor skills outdoors. For children with fine motor differences, try a ...
06/12/2026

Painting with water is a fun way to develop fine motor skills outdoors. For children with fine motor differences, try a variety of painting tools – different sized brushes, spray bottles, roller brushes, and sponges. As a bonus, work on early literacy skills by painting letters, shapes, and names onto the pavement.

[Image Description: Graphic titled “Ideas for Adaptive Summer Play: Painting with Water.” Illustrations show water puddles on a sidewalk shaped like the letters E and O, along with a sponge, paintbrush, paint roller, and bucket of water.]

This post does not constitute an endorsement of products or services.

Summer break is a great time to leisurely advance your AT skills and knowledge. Practically Speaking by Gloria Soto and ...
06/11/2026

Summer break is a great time to leisurely advance your AT skills and knowledge. Practically Speaking by Gloria Soto and Carole Zangari is an essential guide for K-12 educators and SLPs who provide communication support. This book helps professionals meet the needs of students who use AAC while satisfying the demands of their curriculum. Borrow from our Loan Library today! Link in bio.

[Image Description: Graphic title reads Summer Book Loans for Professional Development. Photo of the cover for the book called Practically Speaking. SWAAAC logo at the bottom.]

This post does not constitute an endorsement of products or services.

We just finished two days of our virtual Conference for Assistive Technology in Education (CATE). Many take-aways were s...
06/10/2026

We just finished two days of our virtual Conference for Assistive Technology in Education (CATE). Many take-aways were shared during sessions and on discussion boards. What take-aways did you learn? Share in a comment below! Please be sure to join us next year for CATE in June 2027!

[Image Description: Graphic is called CATE Learnings. First speech bubble reads, “What is your favorite tool, app, extension that you have found this year that works for staff or for students?” Second speech bubble reads, “My teachers are loving using NotebookLM to provide alternative access and modifications to their assignments”]

This post does not constitute an endorsement of products or services.

Summer is here! SWAAAC has adapted this book in both Google Slides and PPT formats. Request them at the link in our bio....
06/10/2026

Summer is here! SWAAAC has adapted this book in both Google Slides and PPT formats. Request them at the link in our bio. This resource is available to all, not just SWAAAC members.

[Image Description: Cover of the book called Are You Ready to Play Outside? Bottom reads “Adapted Book Google Slides and PPT. Request yours today!”]

This post does not constitute an endorsement of products or services.

Address

1201 5th Street, Suite 240
Denver, CO
80204

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Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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+13033151280

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