communicATor

Fall always brings an increase in loan library activity as the academic year gets underway, and this year is no exception! CIDE now has 3 loan libraries to support access to assistive technology (AT) for children of all ages: Tech for Tykes, which supports children under the age of 3 who qualify for early intervention services; StateWide Assistive Technology Augmentative & Alternative Communication (SWAAAC), which supports children in public schools between the ages of 3-21, and our newest addition, Adapt to Impact, which supports licensed childcare providers in family childcare homes, centers, and preschools who facilitate programs for children under the age of 5. In addition to loaning equipment, each program also provides important resources, training, and customized AT supports to school districts, Early Intervention providers, and licensed childcare programs throughout Colorado. The libraries offer patrons the opportunity to trial devices new and old and test their effectiveness with a specific child–a process which saves programs and the state of Colorado millions of dollars every year.

So far this school year, the SWAAAC loan library has seen an unprecedented jump in the number of loans and loan requests. In August alone, SWAAAC loaned 138 AT items, more than double the number of loans in August 2024! Additionally, during the past fiscal year, SWAAAC saw a 23% increase in total loans from 2024-25, bringing the annual total to 917. SWAAAC works exclusively with Colorado public-school districts, partnering with over 500 SWAAAC team members across 60 districts.

The Tech for Tykes loan library also hit many impressive milestones in the 2024-25 period! During the fiscal year, for the first time in Tech for Tykes history, the loan library fulfilled over 1,000 loans and saved the state over $1,000,000. These numbers reflect that, more than ever before, children with disabilities under the age of 3 have access to life-changing AT during this crucial time in their development.

Finally, CIDE launched Adapt to Impact earlier this year. This exciting new project features a library that hosts over 300 low-cost adaptive items available for loan to licensed childcare programs in the state of Colorado. Adapt to Impact has already made its first loans, giving more hands-on experience and confidence to licensed childcare providers when supporting children with delays and disabilities in their programs.

CIDE’s three loan libraries help different populations of children with delays and disabilities throughout Colorado to succeed, grow, and learn. In addition to our loan libraries, our resources, training, and support equip those supporting children of all ages with delays and disabilities with the knowledge, tools, and confidence they need to change children’s lives. We couldn’t be more proud of all the work that our SWAAAC, Tech for Tykes, and Adapt to Impact teams do and will continue to do to support Colorado’s children!

By Marianne Gardinier