communicATor

The Center for Innovative Design and Engineering’s SWAAAC (State-Wide Assistive Technology, Augmentative & Alternative Communication program) is funded by the Colorado Department of Education. It allows Colorado school providers throughout the state access to hundreds of technologies through SWAAAC’s Assistive Technology (AT) Loan Library program. The AT Loan Library makes AT of all types available to school-aged students in Colorado, supporting district IEP teams as they work towards active learning and meaningful participation for students with disabilities.

Without the SWAAAC library, some districts would not have access to the variety of AT required for evidence-based assessments. This past fall, some of our borrowers shared their appreciation for the library, and how it impacted students' academic and classroom success around the state.

Often, the purpose of a SWAAAC loan is to trial various AT with a student before a district makes a purchasing decision. Brittany Jansen, M.A., CCC-SLP, AT Specialist for Adams 12 Five Star Schools, shared this story about the district’s success trialing switches from the Loan Library:

“Thanks to the SWAAAC loan bank, our student was able to trial a variety of accessible switches that allowed him to participate in his preschool classroom activities and control technology. In our district, we don't have nearly as many switches as we needed for this trial, so borrowing switches from the state loan bank allowed us to test-out several switches and determine what works best for our student... Without this loan bank program, we would have spent months trying to secure equipment for this trial to determine what would best meet our student's needs. With SWAAAC's loan bank, this process was much smoother and more efficient. Thank you SWAAAC!”

Sometimes, SWAAAC loans provide the opportunity for school providers to think outside of the box, such as this unique application for an Xbox Adaptive Joystick shared by Chrissy Aurit, an Occupational Therapist and AT Specialist from Aurora Public Schools:

“The student was able to use the joystick as a mouse to access their schoolwork on a laptop. This device was meant for gaming, but by using the Steam app on a laptop, we were able to program the joystick to be used as a mouse for accessibility. It took some extra setup, but it has been the very best solution for this student!”

Trialing AT with students is not the only way that Colorado school providers use the Loan Library. AT teams in districts around the state also borrow items for professional development, which can be an invaluable resource when training new staff, paraprofessionals, and teachers on new technologies. Riley, an AT Technician at Thompson School District, shared his team’s success with the Tobii Dynavox I-110:

“It served as an excellent introductory device and effectively got team buy-in for future trials on similar tech!”

Oftentimes, a team’s ability to learn and experience a new AT before working with a student can be an invaluable training resource that builds staff confidence and facilitates effective device trials.

The SWAAAC Loan Library’s Literacy Kits are always a big hit with school providers. The kits include adapted versions of a book, manipulatives, activity guides, and ideas for adapting the material for diverse communicators and learners. Many districts borrow literacy kits as a guide to adapting their own books, materials, and lesson plans. Stephanie Hanson, M.A. CCC-SLP, SLP and SWAAAC Team Coordinator from Delta County School District 50, shared how much her district has loved the literacy kits they’ve borrowed this year:

“The modified materials helped complex needs students independently engage in literacy instruction. It increased their attention to story read alouds, increased their participation in learning new vocabulary, and provided more opportunities for taking turns with peers. The literacy kits are an incredible resource!... The resources in the kit were used as models for how to modify currently owned materials to continue language and literacy instruction for these students. Thank you!”

The SWAAAC Loan Library provides invaluable access to equipment that is not always accessible to school districts, especially smaller districts and those in more rural areas. SWAAAC sends loan library items throughout the state to a wide variety of participating districts and BOCES. Hanna Page, Doctor of Audiology and AT Specialist from Blue Sky BOCES, shared how SWAAAC’s Assisted Listening Library has aided her work:

“The SWAAAC staff are incredible. This service is VITAL to smaller schools and those with limited resources. It also allows the gathering of objective data and proof when a student needs additional support. Thank you so much!”

And Kristin Mann, SLP with Montrose County School District shared:

“Your team and your equipment helps our students immeasurably on the western slope. Thank you.”

Whether it’s trialing AT that a district doesn’t have, borrowing a device for professional development, or modeling new materials after those SWAAAC developed, the SWAAAC Loan Library provides access to a diverse offering of AT to districts and providers around the state. SWAAAC borrowers appreciate their access to the loan library, and its continued commitment to providing students with the AT they need to thrive.