DISH

Section Two: Using Disability Services and Accommodations

The Basic Questions

 Quick Links

General / College-Wide Accommodations and Services

Instructional / Classroom Accommodations and Services

  • Academic Adjustments
  • Accommodation Consultation

Alternate Media Services:

  •  Description and Types
  • Steps to Obtain
  • Guidelines
  • Assistive Technology
  • Attendance and Absence Issues
  • Book Loans and Scholarships
  • Course Substitution / Waiver
  • Deaf or Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS)
  • Real-Time Captioning
  • Sign Language Interpreter
  • Captioned Media
  • Assistive Listening Devices
  • Instructor Consultation / Liaison
  • Note-Taking Assistance
  • Recording Lectures
  • Seat Reservation / Preferential Seating
  • Reader Services / In-Class Assistants
  • Test Accommodation Services
  •  Steps
  • Guidelines
  • Tutoring Services (DSS) 

Legal Aspects

  • Legal Basics - Disability in Higher Education
  • Student Rights and Responsibilities
  • Student Code of Conduct
  • Confidentiality and Student Records
  • Disability Support Programs and Services Evaluation
  • Suspension of DSPS Services

Concerns and Complaints

 The Basic Questions

  1. Who is eligible to receive Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids, and/or Services?
  2. Who can benefit from Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids, and/or Services?
  3. New Question to be added here.
  4. How do I establish my eligibility to receive  Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids, and/or Services?
  5. What are Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids, and/or Services?
  6. How are Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids, and/or Services Determined?
  7. Who is responsible for arranging Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids, and/or Services?
  8. What is the instructor's role in providing Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids, and/or Services?
1. Who is eligible to receive Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids, and/or Services? 

Students may be eligible if: 

  • There is an impairment that limits one or more major life activities like walking, seeing, hearing, learning, reading 
  • The impairment is significant enough to prevent obtaining full benefit from classes, activities, or services of the college with or without reasonable accommodations such as academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and/or services” (see DISH, Section 2, Using Disability Services and Accommodations at : "About Accommodations and Services", "General/College-Wide Accommodations and Services" and "Instructional/Classroom Accommodations and Services") 
  • Educational progress can be made as defined by the college’s academic standards and the student’s Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP) as written by the student and a Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS) professional 

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2.  Who can benefit from Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids, and/or Services?

It is also important to consider the type of educational setting. For instance, most classes at De Anza:  

  • Begin and end in a 12-week period 
  • Enroll 20 or more students and 
  • Require a substantial commitment to study and work out of class 
3. (New question here. )

In order to be successful, all students, including those with disabilities, need to be able to: 

  • Profit from instruction by a teacher to a large group of students 
  • Work independently 
  • Complete outside assignments with a minimum of guidance 
  • Participate in small group and laboratory activities 
  • Attend to instructional activities which last a minimum of one hour 
  • Collaborate cooperatively with others in an educational environment 
  • Keep up with the pace of work required in a 12-week quarter system, as contrasted to an 18 week semester. 

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4. How do I establish my eligibility to receive Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids, and/or Services? 
  • If you think you are eligible and want to request services, contact DSS to obtain information preferably before you enroll at the college, or as soon as possible after. 
  • Attending an Information Meeting is the best method, you can request this by contacting the DSPS department (DSS, APE, HOPE). (DISH, Section 1, Coming to De Anza College: "Learning About De Anza"). 
  • About Us: The De Anza Story
  • To become eligible for DSPS services, you will need to apply and provide your disability documentation. Qualified medical and other specified professionals outside of the college generally complete the forms for documentation of a significant impairments and related educational limitations.  (Apply Link-http://deanza.edu/dsps/applynow.html) 
  • Students with physical or psychological disabilities generally need to obtain a De Anza Disability Verification Formfor completion and return. (See DSS website at www.deanza.edu/dss for complete instructions.)   (Packet Link-http://deanza.edu/dsps/division_forms.html) 
  • Students with documented learning disabilities should submit the appropriate outside testing results.  (See the DSS website for complete instructions.)  Those who do not have prior documentation, professionals on campus may be able to do the evaluation. (See DISH, Section 2, Using Disability Services and Accommodations: "Assessment for Learning Disability.") (Cant find on DSPS Webpage) 
  • You will meet with a DSS Counselor or LD Specialist to develop your personal Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP). This plan will address your educational goals and the academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and/ or services you will need. 

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5.  What are academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and support services? 

Academic Adjustments, auxiliary aids, and support services consist of the following: 

  • Modifications to classes, programs, or course requirements 
  • Services required in order to participate in the educational programs 

Examples of legally-mandated accommodations include: 

  • Classroom interpreters 
  • Test accommodations 
  • Books in alternative format 
  • Academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and services must address the educational limitations directly related to a student's disability. The objective in using these accommodations is to provide a student with a disability an equal educational opportunity to succeed. 

Academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and services are not to: 

  • Lower the college’s or the instructor’s academic standards 
  • Alter requirements essential to the course or program 
  • Give a student with a disability an advantage over other students 
  • Guarantee that a student will be successful 
  • Present an undue burden to the college 

Many other student service programs on campus assist with student retention and success. De Anza offers services for students with disabilities that are not necessarily legally mandated accommodations, but which promote student achievement.  

Examples of these services include: 

  • An on-campus shuttle service 
  • Specialized tutoring 
  • Targeted scholarships 

Your DSS Counselor or LD Specialist can inform you of and assist you to obtain supportive services. 

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6. How are Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids, and/or Services Determined? 

A student who requests Academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and/or services must: 

Academic adjustments, auxiliary aids, and services: 

  • Are decided on an individual basis 
  • Consider a student's educational history and accommodation preferences 
  • Are based on course requirements and the student’s educational limitations 
  • Are reviewed and evaluated for their effectiveness in providing equal access 
  • Are changed or discontinued as necessary 

Your DSS Counselor or LD Specialist may recommend accommodations to you. Students should provide feedback on how their accommodations are working. It is assumed an accommodation is effective unless you report otherwise to the DSPS staff. 

If you encounter a specific problem in a class that requires an accommodation not generally available, contact your DSS Counselor or a LD Specialist so that the problem can be reviewed, and a solution proposed. 

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7.  Who is responsible for arranging Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids, and/or Services? 

Students must make all accommodation requests in a timely manner, preferably before the quarter begins. It is always best to think about courses and their requirements ahead and try to anticipate accommodation needs. Generally, the student and DSS will work together to ensure accommodations are in place before a class begins. 

 
If you feel comfortable you may discuss your accommodations with your instructor without disclosing your disability. There are sample dialogues in the Appendix to help you practice this. If you aren’t sure how to approach this, you may meet with your counselor for support. 

 
The final determination of accommodations is determined by the DSPS office. Students need to contact their DSS Counselor or LD Specialist to request their quarterly accommodations.  

 
Since you play a critical role in ensuring that accommodations are in place and appropriate, DSS has   developed a timeline checklist for you to use in planning for accommodations. See the DISH, Appendix: “Checklist for Planning Accommodations." 

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8. What is the instructor’s role in providing Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids, and/or Services? 

Once the instructor receives the request accommodation letter, they will collaboratively ensure the implementation of the DSPS authorized accommodations. (Sentence sounds awkward) 
The instructor does not have the right to know your diagnosis nor do you have to share it. DSPS maintains high confidentiality standards and does not disclose your disability to anyone. 


The instructor does have the right to:  

  • Confirm that you have documented your disability with the DSPS Division 
  • Understand what the appropriate accommodations are for a given situation 
  • Contact DSS if they have any concerns or questions 
  • Challenge an accommodation if they believe it poses fundamental alteration of the academic standards or presents an undue burden 

In the event your instructor raises a concern about the accommodation or disagrees with it, you should contact DSS to review the situation before discussing it further with your instructor. 

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