DSPS FAQ

According to federal regulations, “disability” means a person has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual (learning, seeing, hearing, walking, etc.); a record of such an impairment (such as an IEP or records from doctors, psychologists, schools, or departments/organizations that serve people with disabilities); or being regarded as having such an impairment. Students with conditions that substantially limit them from receiving equal access to the educational opportunities provided by the college could be eligible for services.

Students with the following disabilities have been eligible to receive support services and academic accommodations. Here is a breakdown by disability type:

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Other health conditions may warrant academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services. DSPS will consider the functional limitations of each individual to determine appropriate and reasonable academic adjustments and/or services.

A learning disability (LD) is when someone has one or more areas in the brain, or connections between areas in the brain, that are not quite as efficient in comparison with peers, when sending signals back and forth. Students with learning disabilities may have trouble processing certain types of information (reading, writing, math, spelling, understanding lectures, verbalizing, etc.), and the differences between the student’s own “strengths and weaknesses” are significant. 

Students with verified LD can receive accommodations and services in the same way as other students with disabilities. DSPS will consider the functional limitations of each individual to determine appropriate and reasonable academic adjustments and/or services.

If a student thinks they might have LD but have no documentation they can contact the DSPS office and make an appointment with the CRC Learning Disabilities Specialist for an initial screening to discuss whether a full LD assessment is warranted.

DSPS helps students navigate the matriculation process once they have followed the steps on the Apply for DSPS page. Therefore, students must enroll through admissions and records and utilize college student services resources and programs as needed (e.g. financial aid and Student Access Center). At the DSPS intake appointment, the counselor will review eligible DSPS services.

CRC does not offer any transportation within the college or outside the college. Students are responsible for scheduling their own transportation.

The office will accept written verification of disability completed by the professional providing the diagnosis. For additional information, see Step 2 on the Apply for DSPS page.

You must make an appointment to see a DSPS counselor.

DSPS provides services to students who present written verification or documentation of disability. Learn more by visiting the Apply for DSPS page. 

If you are unsure you have appropriate documentation on hand, you may drop in to see a DSPS counselor to share what you have on hand. You may also connect with BetterMynd, a free online student service. Various sessions with the appropriate BetterMynd therapist may help you obtain documentation of a condition so you can apply.

If you have been absent from our college for more than one semester, you must reestablish yourself with DSPS. Please make an appointment to do this.

We recommend you contact DSPS at least two weeks in advance of the beginning of the semester to schedule an appointment. Most students however can request these using the online request form if no adjustments are needed, and you are in good academic standing.

It is the responsibility of the DSPS student to obtain the accommodation letters from the DSPS office and then meet with the instructor(s) to review their accommodation needs.

Please deliver each letter to your instructor and set up a time to discuss the listed accommodations with the instructor. Discussions should occur prior to the need for the accommodation whenever possible. Any concerns that cannot be resolved with the instructor at this meeting should be directed to the DSPS Coordinator prior to implementation of the accommodations. The student is responsible for initiating discussion to implement details of the accommodations.

The student should meet with the course instructor first to address concerns about obtaining notes for the class. If this is not resolved within a reasonable time (often a couple of class meetings or a week depending on how often the class meets), the student or the instructor should request assistance from DSPS for alternate solutions.

If you feel that you are not obtaining reasonable accommodations as stated on the Confidential Memo presented to your instructor, then you should first approach your instructor to discuss concerns. If you still need assistance, contact the DSPS Coordinator.

Please review the list of Los Rios compliance officers. You may also contact the California Office of Civil Rights in San Francisco.