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.

Joy Cole
Technology Programs Coordinator

Joy has been with United Cerebral Palsy since 1981. Joy worked in the adult day program and implemented the adult day program computer program until 1993. Joy worked with administrative staff members to develop and implement the UCP San Diego Assistive Technology Center program and services. Joy currently is the Technology Programs Coordinator. She coordinates the software library, computer consultations and assists individuals, families and professionals in obtaining alternative computer access devices and software.

Arlin Sacristan
AAC Program Coordinator

Arlin Sacristan has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology with a minor in Social and Behavioral Health. She is deeply committed to empowering individuals with disabilities to find their voice. Her passion lies in facilitating communication for those facing verbal challenges. As the AAC Program Coordinator, Arlin will leverage her expertise in speech and language development to create meaningful opportunities for individuals to engage in real-life communication scenarios, foster their language development, and enhance their quality of life.

Janet Velazquez
Toy Library Coordinator

Janet has been working at UCP since 2005. Janet worked in the donation center, thrift store and became the Toy Library assistant in 2010. In 2016, Janet became the Toy Librarian. Janet has earned a Child Development Degree. Working in the thrift store made Janet want to work directly with children and people with special needs.

Gillian Hennessey
Managing Director of Programs

Gillian has a Bachelors Degree in Education and has been employed by UCP of San Diego since 2000. She provides administration and supervision of all UCP programs and staff. She has over 38 years of experience in the field of disabilities both in the USA and Great Britain including the development and implementation of service and programs for people with disabilities and their families.