The Center for Innovative Design and Engineering

Breaking Barriers and Changing Lives

The Center for Innovative Design and Engineering (CIDE) is an applied interdisciplinary and human-focused innovation center. We envision a world where all people with disabilities and those aging into disability are engaged in life at home, school, work, and play without barriers and without boundaries. We unite engineers, students, clinicians, consumers, designers, and entrepreneurs to pioneer a diverse range of initiatives, aimed at advancing our mission to improve the lives of all people.

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Impact Stories

Discover how CIDE's work is transforming lives.

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Building a Market-Ready Future Through Accessibility

CIDE partners with industry leaders to create human-centered solutions that not only enhance user experiences but also drive market growth.

Accessibility Assistive Technology Industry Services
Full Article
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Fall 2026 Newsletter

The Fall 2026 CommunicATor covers a graduate student 3D-printing custom parts in our clinic, a temporary wheelchair for a 10-year-old, and a free webinar series on building adaptive equipment. You’ll also find holiday gift guides, winter outage help for Xcel customers, and a new early intervention resource.

Research Education Innovation
Read the Fall 2026 CommunicATor
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Colorado AT Exchange

Buy, sell, or donate used equipment like wheelchairs, communication devices, and mobility aids. The Colorado AT Exchange connects people who have devices to share with people who need them. Accounts are free.

Browse the AT Exchange
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Find Funding for Assistive Technology

Equipment and services can be expensive. Our searchable database helps Coloradans with disabilities find funding sources for the devices and services that fit their needs.

Search Funding Sources
A CIDE clinician works closely with a client and a wheelchair supplier to design a chair that fits the person's needs and preferences.

Learn to Design for Disability and Aging

Our students work hands-on with mobility equipment, smart home controls, and adapted switches. They build prototypes for real clients and log 240 hours of fieldwork. Start with a graduate certificate or a biomedical engineering degree.

Explore Academic Program

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Center for Innovative Design and Engineering (CIDE)

CU Denver

The Hub, Bioengineering

1224 5th Street

Suite 130

Denver, CO 80204

303-315-1280

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