San Diego Assistive Technology Center (SDATC)
As an Alliance for Technology Access Resource Center, San Diego Assistive Technology Center (SDATC) offers many opportunities for increasing your knowledge about assistive technology solutions through the hands-on exploration of a wide array of adapted computer hardware/software, environmental control access and AAC devices. The mission of the San Diego Assistive Technology Center is to:
- Support families in the critical role they play in helping their children reach their full potential by providing access to toys as learning tools.
- Develop strategies, which assist individuals who are non-speaking to say what is on their mind without the need for interpretation or guessing by others.
- Assist people who use AAC and their teams in developing a consistent means of communication; one that facilitates independence, learning and active participation in school, home, work and the community.
- Train and support the community through a multitude of educational opportunities focusing on assertive technology. Our goal is to assist individuals to live as full and independent life as possible given the wealth of technology available on the market today.
- Collaborate with a variety of people in the community to ensure that life-changing technology becomes accessible to those who need it most.
Who is Eligible?
Anyone! The San Diego Assistive Technology Center is available to individuals with disabilities, their families, professionals and the community at large!
Here are some of the services offered through SDATC:
- Toy Library - Mobile library designed to serve you in your own community. Our librarians travel throughout the county, using libraries, churches, recreation centers and Boys and Girls Clubs as play sites.
- Software Library - Program which loans computer software and adaptive hardware (for example, TouchWindows, IntelliKeys, Computer Switch Interfaces, etc.) to children with disabilities for use in their home environment.
- Funding Advocacy Assistance - Provide no-cost, one-to-one advocacy services to obtain funding for AAC devices and computer technology.
- Information and Referral Services - Provide information to the community with regard to assistive technology, funding eligibility and various complementary services.
- Workshops and Presentations - Provides opportunities for you to learn more about augmentative communication and assistive technology. Call for more information.
- Open Lab - Frequently scheduled times when anyone in the community may come to the center to explore communication devices, specialized software & computer hardware and the Internet.
- Individual Lab Appointment - Set appointment with SDATC staff, intended to provide more specific information about equipment and software. One hour FREE.
- Individual Lab Consultation - Takes the individual Lab Appointment one step further by providing in-depth consultative services with SDATC staff. An hourly charge is assessed.
- Full AAC Assessment - Staff conduct full interdisciplinary team assessments in order to match consumers to the most appropriate AAC system features. Funding availability needs to be established prior to the assessment.
- Training & Follow Up Services - Consultation is available for attendance at team meetings, development of device vocabulary, programming and training, etc. An hourly rate is assessed.
- Language Assessment - Speech language pathologist can provide a full speech language assessment, as needed. An hourly charge is assessed.
- Professional Use of Assistive Technology Lab - Set appointments to use the lab and available equipment to assess or consult with an individual. Open to Professionals; an hourly charge is assessed.
- AAC Loan Program - Program designed to facilitate the determination of appropriateness of an AAC device by providing equipment on loan.
- Vendor Trainings - Regularly scheduled equipment training available at no cost throughout the year. Call for more information.
About the Alliance for Technology Access (ATA)
SDATC is a resource center of the Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) and draws on the expertise and information of the entire Alliance network, in responding to the needs of people with disabilities. The Alliance for Technology Access is the leading network of community-based resource centers, affiliates, developers and vendors dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities and increasing their use of standard, assistive and information technologies.
ATA Centers:
- Provide guided technology exploration for people with disabilities, as well as families and advocates
- Utilize technology to diminish or eliminate environmental barriers for people with disabilities
- Distribute current information regarding assistive technology
ATA Headquarters
1119 Old Humboldt Road
Jackson, Tennesee 38305
Phone: 731-554-5282
E-Mail:
Web: www.ataccess.org
For more information about San Diego Assistive Technology Center (SDATC), please contact UCP at (858) 278-5420 or .
Software Lending Library & Computer Consultations
Parents and children are eligible to participate in the software library. The software library provides assistance to parents on selecting software that will aid in their child's development.
Families of young children with disabilities need to have access to assistive technology that create opportunities for their children to show what they know, interact with others, be independent and enjoy control over their lives.
What Is The Software Library?
The Software Library loans computer software to children with disabilities, aged 2 to 10 years old. The library provides assistance to parents on selecting software and hardware that will aid in the child's development. As moms, dads, grandmas, and grandpas browse, they can try things out and think about how their children or grandchildren will be able to use the software and or hardware as well as whether it will be something that they really will want to play with. Families can figure out what works and doesn't for their child in real life, at home.
Who Is Eligible?
Children with any type of disability age 2 to 10 years old.
How Does It Work?
Software is checked out to take home for two weeks. Upon returning the software, participants may check out another program. Software can be obtained at the United Cerebral Palsy Association office or through our mobile Toy Library sites located throughout San Diego County
Software is available in a variety of formats and platforms.
How Do I Join?
Participants are required to fill out a registration form, sign a loan agreement, and pay an annual fee of $20.00. Software is initially obtained through appointment.
Click here to visit our site.
For more information about Software Lending Library & Computer Consultations, please contact UCP at (858) 278-5420 or .
Adaptive Computer Empowerment Services (ACES)
UCP of San Diego has joined with Adaptive Computer Empowerment Services (ACES) to expand our ability to offer Internet-ready refurbished computer systems to people with disabilities. Eligibility requirements to receive a desktop computer:
- Resident of San Diego County
- Medically verifiable disability
- Low income (under $1,000/person/household/month)
ACES provides Pentium level Internet-ready computers with Windows XP, Microsoft Internet Explorer, e-mail program, a Microsoft-compatible office suite and other free software.
Recipients receive a desktop computer, monitor, keyboard and mouse. No printer is provided. There is a $75.00 processing fee that is paid when the application is submitted which then places the applicant’s name on the waiting list. If the recipient needs information or guidance on adaptive aides that are available for keyboard access to accommodate their disability, UCP staff can provide this assistance through their Assistive Technology Center Program.
Call for more information today: (619) 448-5253.