Support Services and Academic Accommodations:

DSP&S provides support to students with physical, communication, learning, phychological and developmental disabilities who are enrolled in instructional programs. The central mission is to provide access to regular college programs. To do this, we often need to help students with arrangments for reasonable specialized support services and academic accommodations. All requests for accommodations are handled on an individual basis. Support services and academic accommodations provided through DSP&S include but are not limited to the following:

Specialized Counseling:

Counselors provide students with academic, career and limited-term personal counseling. Special attention will be given to the unique needs and concerns of a student with disabilities.

Accommodated Testing:

When appropriate, a DSPS counselor may authorize testing accommodations for a student with a disability. These accommodatios and may include, but are not limited to: the use of special equipment, extented time for test, quiet room, readers for visually impaired, test proctors/scribes, alternate formatting of testing materials (e.g. large print, audio or Braille). adapted computer equipment, CCTV, and writing assistance. Students with disabilities may arrange to take the college Assessment Test, Assessment Challenge Test, the DRP reading level test and/or the Ability to Benefit Financial Aid test in the DSP&S office with appropriate accommodations.

(See page_in Appendix A for more complete information on using accommodated testing).

Note Taking Assistance:

Students, who because of their disability, are unable to take their own notes, may obtain the services of an in-class note taker or tape record the lectures in their classes. DSPS will provide a textbook stipend to the in-class note taker. Occasionally, the level of services required is such that a paid aide will be assigned to accompany the student to class.

Please note - if a student is absent from a class, DSP&S is not required to provide the student with copies of notes from the class which was missed.

Learning Disabilities Department/Evaluation:

Students who believe they may have a Specific Learning Disability may request to be evaluated in the Learning Disabilities Department which is located in Cunningham 237.

Services for the Deaf/Hard Of Hearing Student:

Oral and Sign language interpreters are employed to interpret for hearing impaired students for classes, labs, and other school related activities. These services provide the communication link enabling hearing impaired students to mainstream into any of these classes offered at the college. Students who are deaf/hard of hearing are assigned a note-taker  and ASL interpreter(s) or a CART provider. In most cases, students needing these services  are assigned support during the first week of school. DSPS also loans F.M. amplification systems to student who may benefit from their use.

For more information concering interpreter services, including students rights and responsibilities, contact the Interpreter/Coordinator for the deaf and hearing impaired at: DSP&S, Cunningham Building, Room 120 or call (209)-954-5330 Voice/TDD.

(See page_of Appendix A for policies relating to the reasonable use of services for deaf and hard of hearing students).

Alternate Formatting Services:

Students with visual impairments, learning disabilities and fine motor and/or orthopedic disabilities may require alternate formatting of materials to access their textbooks, syllabi, class information sheets and other class related materials. Alternate formatting includes braille, electronic versions of the text for use with screen-reading software, large print, and/or tactile graphics. Each of these is time consuming to produce and students are asked to bring their materials to us as soon as possible so they do not fall behind in class work.

Recordings for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D):

DSP&S may assist eligible students to order books-on-tape or digital format. DSPS also has Victor Digital Players and 4 track tape players for use and loan. Normally, if the book needed is on file with RFB&D, at least one month is required for delivery. Books which are not on file require much more time for delivery. Please contact DSP&S as early as possible with any questions you may have concerning procedures for obtaining books on tape from RFB&D.

In-Class Aides:

Classroom/Lab/Physical Education: DSP&S will arrange for the services of aides to assist the student with specific classes/tasks based upon specific educational limitations. If a student utilizes the assistance of an in-class voluntary of a personal aide, the aides must be fingerprinted and have a current T.B. test. The college will cover the cost of these procedures. Contact DSPS for more information concerning these requirments. DSP&S does not provide tutorial services. Tutorial services are available to all students through the Tutorial Center located in Shima 217 and Holt 201.

Adapted Physical Education:

Adapted Physical Education conditioning and swimming classes are available P.E. aides are employed to assist students in these classes. Contact DSPS to register for these classes.

Adapted Equipment for Loan Or Use:

Frequently students require use of a special equipment in a class and/or to take test or complete an assignment.

DSP&S loans or makes available for use various assistive devices to students. Example of Adaptive aids and devices for loan/use include:

• Tape Recorders
• Closed Circuit Television Magnifiers
• Kurzweil Reader
• Brailling Machine
• Manual and Electric Wheelchairs, Electric Scooters
• Talking Calculators
• FM Systems for the Hearing Impaired
• Adaptive Computer Equipment
• Table/Chairs for classroom use
• Alpha Smart word processors

Please note that adaptive equipment is loaned on a limited basis only, and the need for such must be directly related to assigned classroom work.

Assistance With Paperwork:

I the student, because of a disability, needs assistance with paperwork, DSP&S staff can assist the student with the filing of the application of the admission to the college, registration for classes, and/or Board of Governors Grant (BOGG) fee waiver. Students are encouraged to see the assistance of DSP&S as early as possible.

Mobility/Health Services:

Students who are physically limited and require help in getting around the campus can request mobility assistance, campus orientation, the temporary use of a wheelchair/scooter or an elevator key. The Mobility/First Aide deparment also employs licensed EMT's to provide first aide services to those in need.

The Office is located in Danner Hall.

Campus Liaison:

DSP&S works with students and teachers to solve various problems which may arise within the educational environment. DSP&S also provides liaison between students with disabilities and other campus resources including: Extended Opportunities and Services (EOPS). Career Center, General Counseling, Tutor Centers and Financial Aid.

Community Liaison:

DSP&S can provide students with referrals to important community services related to a variety of special needs including transportation, employment, vocational training, mental health and social services.

Interviews with a vocational rehabilitation counselor from the Department of Rehabilitation can be made through this office.

Career/Job Placement Services:

DSP&S works with other agencies, both on and off campus, to assist students on their attempt to find employment upon completion of their educational program.

Students are also encouraged to utilize the services of the Career Center and the Job Placement Center located on the second floor in Danner Hall as well as the local Work-Net Centers.

High Technology Classroom And Lab:

For students who are also clients of the Department of Rehabilitation, DSPS can refer students to our Workability III office for extensive job readiness services. These services include: resume writing, job interviewing techniques, job search assistance and follow up.

High Technology Classroom and Lab:

The classroom building is located in Cunningham Building, Room 123 and the lab is located in Cunningham 220B. The classroom is the site for many adapted computer classes and the lab provides access to the computers using adaptive hardware and software for students with verified disabilities receiving services through DSP&S and/or the Learning Disabilities Program. Available accommodations include specially designed PC work stations to accomodate a wide range of disabilities, and educational software which assists students in reaching personal goals and/or enables students to benefit from other college courses. Special adapted computer classes are also available.

Priority Registration:

Students may be eligible for priority registration. Requests are handled on an individual basis through your DSP&S counselor.

Evacuation/Safety:

If you are concerned about your ability to evacuate from a building in the event of an emergency, please request a Safety Alert Form (See Appendix) from DSP&S and take the time to share your concerns and needs with your instructor.