Photo of Ken Hackbarth

Presenter(s)

Event Details

Topic:

augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

Format:

lecture

Subject Level:

intermediate

Age Span:

infant / toddler
preschool
kindergarten - grade 6
grades 7-12
adult

Target Audience:

AT specialist
K-12 administration
occupational therapist
special educator
speech language pathologist
teacher of the visually impaired

Professional Development Credits

IACET CEUs:

0.01

ACVREP CEs:

1

Presentation Length: 1 hour

Date and Time (Central Daylight Time):

  • October 21, 2026
  • 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Location:

Atrium 2

Description:

Keyguards – precision overlays that guide AAC users’ fingers into target cells – typically cost $100–$225 commercially and take 6–12 weeks to arrive. A 3D printer changes everything. This session presents findings from 20 in-depth interviews with SLPs, OTs, and AT specialists, revealing that 3D-printed keyguards reduce per-unit cost by 98–99%, deliver same-day service, and unlock clinical innovations that are impossible with commercial products: color personalization, iterative fitting, and progressive vocabulary masking. The data show that a 3D printer pays for itself within 3–15 keyguards – often within weeks – and that 75% of practitioners who started with keyguards expanded into printing other DIY AT items. Attendees leave with a concrete ROI model, a clinical framework, and a practical first step.

Learning Outcomes:

As a result of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Participants will be able to calculate the break-even point for 3D printer acquisition by applying keyguard savings data from their own caseload to the $120 average commercial price model.

• Participants will be able to describe at least three clinical advantages of 3D-printed keyguards not achievable with commercial products, including color personalization, iterative fitting, and progressive vocabulary masking.

• Participants will be able to identify a practical first step toward implementing a 3D-printing program in their organization, including use of the Volksswitch Keyguard Designer and potential STEM/curriculum partnership models.

Disclosures:

Ken Hackbarth has no relevant financial relationships with manufacturers or providers of commercial products or services discussed in this presentation. All Volksswitch.org resources referenced are free and open source.