Overview

The DSPS program provides support services and educational accommodations to students with disabilities so that they can have full and equitable access to the community college experience. In addition, many colleges provide specialized instruction as part of their DSPS program. An Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP) is developed for each student served by DSPS. The AAP defines the student’s educational goals and outlines the support services and academic accommodations to be provided to address the student’s specific disability-related educational needs.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible for support services or instruction a student with a disability must have an impairment which is verified and which results in an educational limitation. The existence of an impairment may be verified, using procedures prescribed by the Chancellor, by one of the following means or through the interactive process:

observation by DSPS Certificated staff;
assessment by appropriate DSPS Certificated staff; or
review of documentation provided by agencies or by certified or licensed professionals outside of DSPS.

The student’s educational limitations must be identified by appropriate DSPS Certificated staff and described in the Academic Accommodation Plan required pursuant to Section 56022. Eligibility for each service provided must be directly related to an educational limitation consistent with Section 56000(b) and Section 56004. For more information on Title 5 regulations and guidelines please go to: Title 5 Training

Services

Examples of services that may be provided by DSPS that are over and above those regularly offered by the college would be test-proctoring, assessment for learning disabilities, specialized counseling, interpreter or captioning services for hearing-impaired or deaf students, mobility assistance, note-taker services, reader services, transcription services, specialized tutoring, access to adaptive equipment, job development/placement, registration assistance, special parking and specialized instruction.

Technical Assistance

Virtual technical assistance visits are available to colleges with new DSPS Coordinators/Directors and are offered to the colleges at no cost. Technical Assistance virtual visits serve a number of purposes; they provide expertise and information in a collegial, non-threatening atmosphere, provide an opportunity to brainstorm ideas for program improvement; provide a mentoring and networking experience for DSPS staff. The focus of the visit is individualized technical assistance in areas identified by the Coordinator and program staff. Contact the DSPS Specialist at the Chancellor’s Office, Jennifer Tabb, (916) 324-6073 or email: jtabb@cccco.edu.