How to Refer A Student for DSPS Support

List of Services and Classes

The major objective of the DSPS office is to assure educational access for students with disabilities.  DSPS concentrates its efforts on providing services that are not available elsewhere in the college.  DSPS makes the following services available to qualified students at CCC:

How to Refer A Student for Support Services

1. If a student has a disability and needs to access services, refer the student to the DSPS office to arrange an appointment with a DSPS specialist;

2. If you suspect the student has a learning disability and are referring them for LD assessment, refer the student to the DSPS office to arrange an appointment with the LD specialist.

3. Students are accepted to the program after their disability has been verified either by a learning disabilities specialist, M.D., Department of Rehabilitation counselor, or any other qualifying specialist.

Learning Disabilities Assessment

(over half of CCC's DSPS students are LD)

Free assessment for CCC students to determine eligibility for learning disabilities services is available at CCC. Students are either referred by college staff, by rehabilitation counselors, community agencies, or are self-referred.

Courses

Courses are designed specifically for students with learning disabilities and include reading, writing, math (general and daily living), computer skills, learning strategies/note taking skills, adaptive computer technology (See Appendix A for course descriptions).

Counseling

Academic counseling, educational planning, career and personal counseling are provided. We coordinate necessary support services and act as a resource to help students obtain appropriate services beyond those provided at CCC.

Priority Registration

DSPS students may enroll in classes prior to general students so that they can coordinate interpreter schedules, participate in DSPS curriculum, or for mobility reasons.  The registration process can be especially difficult and stressful for many students with disabilities and thus DSPS offers priority registration for qualified students.

Academic Adjustment/Testing Accommodations

DSPS students may need assistance during class(es).  Accommodations such as tape recording lectures, and note takers are provided when indicated.

The most appropriate method of administering a test depends on the student's disabilities and the design of the test.  Students with disabilities that affect manual dexterity, vision, or perception generally may be allowed extra time to complete tests. They may also be assisted by the use of a word processor, dictating exam answers to a scribe, test read aload by a proctor, take exams in a distraction free room, use of a spell checker, or calculator.  (See Appendix B - Procedure for testing accommodations.

Accommodation in Clinical Settings

DSPS students involved in programs that have a clinical component are entitled to reasonable accommodation in the clinical setting as well as the academic setting.  These accommodations should be discussed with a DSPS counselor/LD specialist, and must be coordinated with and approved by the agency providing the clinical component. DSPS counselors/LD specialist will be responsible for communicating requested or recommended accommodations with the student, the clinical instructor, and the agency where the clinical component is provided.

Note takers

We rely as much as possible on in-class volunteers to provide note taking services for qualified students.  Special note taking paper (no carbon-required) is available in the DSPS office in the Student Services Center, Room 109 (SSC 109) free to students who have a need for this service.  Students generally find their own note takers in their class. If a volunteer cannot be found, DSPS will hire a note taker for the class.  Tape recorders are also provided to tape record lectures.

Liaison to Campus and Community

DSPS staff may not share with faculty and staff the disability status of CCC students without their written permission.  Students are instructed to advise instructors of their disabilities and their specific accommodation needs.  DSPS staff assists students to understand the educational limitations of their disabilities and the specific services for which they are eligible.

Mobility Assistance

An accessible van is available to provide on-campus transportation. Among students who may be eligible for this service are students with temporary and permanent orthopedic disabilities that affect their mobility.

Alternate Media

Students with vision, hearing, learning disabilities, and other disabilities may need their class materials presented in alternate formats.  the Alternate Media Specialist will provide e-text, audio CD's/tapes, large print, Braille, etc.  Students must show proof of book purchases before the Alternate Media Specialist requests e-text.

Interpreters for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Interpreters hired by DSPS are professionals who provide sign language interpretation in the classroom to students with severe to profound hearing loss.

High Tech Center

The Center offers adaptive computer hardware and software technologies to students with disabilities.  The High Tech Specialist trains students to use voice recognition, voice synthesizers, screen reading software, Braille printer, reading machines, optical scanners, and electronic key guards.  Students can also receive training in word processing, spelling, and grammar checking, as tools to minimize the effects of student's disabilities.