DSP&S provides course accommodations to students with verified disabilities.

Continuing DSP&S students should work with their counselor to keep their Educational Plan updated. Once you have registered for courses, you should fill out a Confidential Request for Reasonable Accommodation as soon as possible. You must fill out a new request for accommodations each semester.

Testing Accommodations are directly related to the educational limitation of the student's verified disability. They include, but are not limited to: extended time, a reduced distraction environment, enlarged documents, alternate media of testing materials, reader and/or writer verbatim.

When DSPS students are eligible for extended testing time on exams and quizzes, students need to have obtained an accommodation letter from DSPS for the semester, in advance of the scheduled testing. DSPS will email the accommodation letter to the instructor and to the student. The eligibility for accommodations begins when the instructor receives the accommodation letter, so students are encouraged to plan ahead, to allow instructors to build the extended time into Canvas, in advance of the exam/quiz being released. DSPS encourages DSPS students to have their accommodation letters sent at least 3 days before the scheduled exam.

Extended time DSPS accommodations are delivered within Canvas, allowing DSPS students to Shelter-in-Place, as others students.

Notetaking

Notetaking services are made possible by peer volunteers, who are granted priority registration for the following semester - as compensation for their highly demanded and extremely valuable services. Qualifying DSP&S students should request Notetakers as soon as possible after registering, and are encouraged to practice self-advocacy if a volunteer does not come forward early in the semester.

Alternate Media

Alternate Media is created when print materials are converted into a format that is accessible, which means that it meets the needs of the individual student. Our goal is to ensure that students can access required course materials in a format that best meets their individual needs. To support the successful completion of their educational goals, students with qualifying disabilities may request Alternate Media for Required Text Books, Exams, Syllabi and/or Course Handouts. Some accessible formats include:

Electronic text that can be read aloud by screen reading software like Jaws, or enlarged on screen by magnification software like Zoomtext
Electronic files that can be used with Scan-Read software designed for students with learning disabilities, like Kurzweil 3000
Audio books that can be played on a computer
Large Print
Braille
Tactile Graphics

Assistive Technology

Students are encouraged to use the DSP&S Lab, where they can receive ongoing, individualized support with technology and computer assisted learning. The Lab offers the use of PC computers at adjustable workstations with assistive technology software, such as Kurzweil (scan/read technology), Zoomtext, Jaws, and Dragon Naturally Speaking.

The Hartnell College Library also offers adjustable work stations with screen magnification and scan/read technology for completion of course assignments, research projects, Web access, or use of on-line catalog.