About Us

The Center for Inclusive 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, all aimed at advancing our mission to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

What We Do

At CIDE, our work includes:

• Research: We conduct cutting-edge research to create new assistive technologies and improve existing ones.
• Academics: Our bioengineering students design and build practical solutions that address real-world challenges faced by people with disabilities.
• Clinical Services: We provide clinical evaluations and consultations to ensure assistive technology (AT) meets the needs of the individuals who use it.
• Industry Partnerships: We collaborate with industry leaders to bring accessible innovations to market.
• Community Engagement: We engage with Coloradans to understand their needs, raise awareness about assistive technology, and develop meaningful solutions for people living with disabilities.

Who We Help

More than one billion people worldwide live with some form of disability, and these numbers are rapidly increasing due to population aging and other factors. In the U.S., almost 57 million Americans have a disability that impacts daily life. We serve individuals across the lifespan, helping them through solutions tailored to their needs.

Our History

Assistive Technology Partners (ATP) began in 1989 when Colorado was chosen as one of the first nine states to receive Federal funding from the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities and the Elderly Act. In 2013, ATP transitioned to a new academic home at the Department of Bioengineering (new window). This step reflects our growth and continued commitment to address the myriad challenges experienced by those living the disabilities through technology. Please join us.