communicATor

Cathy Bodine, PhD, CCC-SLP, Director, CIDE

This has been a remarkable quarter — one that reminded me, again and again, why the work we do at CIDE matters so deeply.

In January, I had the privilege of attending CES in Las Vegas, where the world's most forward-thinking technology companies showcased their latest innovations. What struck me most was how prominently accessibility featured across the show floor — from smart home devices to AI-powered communication tools. The conversation has shifted. Accessibility is no longer a niche consideration; it is a defining feature of great technology. In addition, global industry has now recognized there is a business case for accessibility. That is a shift our team has worked toward for years, and it was energizing to see it reflected on a global stage. The need is urgent, the stakes are high, and the solutions we are developing here at CU Denver are exactly what the moment requires.

By 2050, an estimated 2.1 billion people worldwide will be living with a disability. Many of them will be older adults who want to remain in their homes, connected to their communities, and in control of their lives. Helping people age in place — with dignity, independence, and the right tools — is one of the great challenges of our era. It is also one of the driving forces behind everything we build, study, and teach at CIDE.

All of that context makes the work in this newsletter feel especially meaningful. In these pages, you'll meet Jack Lueck, a graduate student using AI and robotics to bring expression to assistive robots. You'll read about Mike, a law professor who found the right tools to stay at the top of his game. You'll learn about how our industry services team is helping companies build accessibility into their products from the ground up. And you'll find opportunities to get involved — from our dynamic seating research to our lab tours to our document accessibility training.

At CIDE, our mission has always been to make the world a more navigable place for people with disabilities — from the classroom to the workplace to the living room. This quarter reminded me that we are not working toward that future alone. We are part of a growing, global movement. And we are proud to be leading it from right here in Colorado.

With gratitude,
Cathy Bodine, PhD, CCC-SLP
Director, Center for Innovative Design and Engineering
University of Colorado Denver