Specialized Services and Academic Accommodations

Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids, and Services

Academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and services are those specialized aids, devices, and/or services available to students with disabilities which are in addition to the general services provided to all students. Such services enable students to participate in general activities, programs, and classes offered by the college. These accommodations may include:

Adapted Furniture/Adaptive Equipment:

Students with physical disabilities may require furniture or equipment that has been specifically designed for use by individuals with disabilities. For example, a student may need to have a detached chair and table, versus an attached desk and chair, or they may need a chair without arms or a chair with extra back support. Furniture and/or equipment that is available for student use includes rolling backpacks, ergonomic chairs, ergonomic keyboards, ergonomic mice, adjustable desks, antiglare screen filters, lumbar backrests, and adjustable footrests.

Mobility Assistance:

Students with physical disabilities may qualify to utilize on-campus transportation assistance via our motorized golf cart. These students are provided pick up and drop off services on a scheduled basis.

Alternate Media:

Alternate Media is any instruction-related material which is converted or altered from its original state into a different format so it is accessible and usable by people with disabilities. Students may qualify for different types of alternate media, such as Braille, e-text, recorded audio, video captioning, large print, etc.

High Tech Center/Assistive Technology:

DSPS provides a computer lab dedicated to students with disabilities. The purpose of the lab is to provide students with access to computer programs or aids that have been specifically designed for individuals with disabilities, and to instruct students in the use of these programs and aids. This focus is part of a statewide effort to help students overcome educational barriers or limitations caused by their disabilities, and the technology includes (but is not limited to) screen readers and magnification devices for those with vision impairments, scan and read programs for those with learning disabilities, and voice activated programs for those with motor impairments.

Counseling:

DSPS provides counseling services for disability related issues, registration assistance, and vocational planning.

Test/Quiz Accommodations:

For students with the documented need for extra time when taking tests and quizzes, accommodations will be granted to allow additional time. Students will be allowed to take their tests/quizzes either in the DSPS testing facility or in class (if the instructor is willing to stay for the extra time allowed). If a student requires the additional accommodation of a quiet, distraction-free environment in which to concentrate, or if the student requires a reader and/or a scribe, the student will be allowed to take tests/quizzes in the DSPS testing facility.

Preferential Seating:

Some students may find it essential to sit in a specific area of the classroom.

Priority Registration:

Students who participate in DSPS are granted priority registration in accordance with the California Education Code. New DSPS students must have completed a general student orientation (online orientation is acceptable), completed general assessment testing, and met with an academic advisor to create a Student Educational Plan (SEP) in order to be granted priority registration.

Shared Notes:

Qualified students may ask a fellow student in class to share their notes, may ask the instructor to find a student willing to share their notes, or may ask the DSPS Director to ask the instructor to find a student willing to share notes. The note-taker should have good handwriting, good class attendance, and the ability to identify and summarize pertinent instructional information. The note-taker can make photocopies of class notes (to be shared with the student with a disability) in the DSPS office.

Sign Language Interpreter:

This accommodation is for individuals who are deaf or who have significant hearing impairments. A sign language interpreter will be provided to translate what the professor says in the classroom, and to communicate with the professor at any scheduled appointments and/or meetings. As a small institution, we do not have sign language interpreters on staff; thus, the request for sign language interpreting must come in adequate time to allow for the interpreter hiring process.

Spell Checker:

Students may be authorized to use a spell checker.

Recorded Lectures:

Qualified students may be granted permission to record lectures and classroom activities. The recordings may be used by the student only and may not be shared with others unless authorized by DSPS or by the instructor. Recording devices are available for checkout.

Tutoring:

All FRC students are encouraged to contact the Instructional Resource Center (IRC) when tutoring services are needed. For students with disabilities, additional tutoring is available through the DSPS program, if required.

WorkAbility III:

Students who are also clients of the State of California Department of Rehabilitation may qualify for additional services through the WorkAbility III program.