Frequently Asked Questions

• Readers and note takers
• Test accommodations
• Library or in-person class or lab assistant if applicable
• Assistive software, audio book, large print, e-text or braille course handouts and tests in a useable format
• Specialized equipment (see Assistive Technology Lab)

• Note takers and scribes
• Classroom furniture if applicable
• Test accommodations including: extended time and use of a computer

• Interpreters
• Note takers

• Note takers
• Test accommodations including: extended time, distraction-reduced setting, and use of a computer

• Note takers
• Test accommodations including: extended time and distraction-reduced setting
• Assistive technology as applicable (see Assistive Technology Lab)

• Note takers
• Test accommodations including: extended time, distraction-reduced setting, and use of computer for word processing (with spell-check) and adaptive software (see Assistive Technology Lab)
• Specialized tutoring and study strategies class
• E-text

• Note takers
• Test accommodations including: extended time, distraction-reduced setting, and/or use of computer for word processing, and/or adaptive software (see Assistive Technology Lab)
• Specialized tutoring/study strategies and/or college life classes

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 at CRC:

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.

• Letter of accommodation
  This is an official letter from DSPS addressed to the instructor sharing only the approved accommodations that may applicable to the course
• Test proctoring
  This is a service provided to a student with DSPS test accommodations who are taking CRC courses. The Test Center facilitates timed tests/timed quizzes that should to be supervised (proctored) during the academic semester. It requires a test appointment.
• Drop-in session
  There will be some blocks of time a counselor is available on a “drop-in basis”. It is a first-come, first served basis so you can ask a question that cannot wait until an appointment occurs. Students —prospective, new or continuing, may join.
• Student Educational Plan or List of Recommended Courses
  A list of courses is available from any CRC counselor--however, if you decide to work with a DSPS counselor for your academic planning, please know you can request a list of recommended courses for a couple of semesters, or a comprehensive one which includes all semesters until you complete your goal (e.g. degree, certificate, transfer).
• Canvas
  This is the Los Rios Colleges Learning Management System or platform associated with the courses. You will use it whether you are taking a fully online course or an in-person one. Instructors will add documents and assignments related to the course.

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.