  We present SWift (SignWriting improved fast transcriber), an advanced editor
for computer-aided writing and transcribing using SignWriting (SW). SW is
devised to allow deaf people and linguists alike to exploit an easy-to-grasp
written form of (any) sign language. Similarly, SWift has been developed for
everyone who masters SW, and is not exclusively deaf-oriented. Using SWift, it
is possible to compose and save any sign, using elementary components called
glyphs. A guided procedure facilitates the composition process. SWift is aimed
at helping to break down the "electronic" barriers that keep the deaf community
away from Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The editor has been
developed modularly and can be integrated everywhere the use of SW, as an
alternative to written vocal language, may be advisable.
