College of the Redwoods and DSPS
What College of the Redwoods DSPS Can Do For You | Steps to DSP&S Services | CR Campus Services | Success Skills | Educational Options

Disability Groups and Means of Verification

Law, Rights and Responsibilities
Post-Secondary Education Obligations | Laws that Protect the Rights of Adults with Disabilities | A Comparison of IDEA and Section 504 | Section 504 and ADA: Preventing Disability Related Discrimination | Differences Between Secondary Education and Higher Education

Reference Information
Community Contact List | Glossary

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what college of the redwoods dsps can do for you

The major objective of the Disabled Student Programs & Services (DSPS) office at College of the Redwoods (CR) is to assure educational access for students with disabilities.  DSPS concentrates its efforts on providing services that are not available elsewhere in the college.  DSPS makes the following services available to qualified students at CR:

Counseling:  We provide academic counseling, educational planning, and career counseling, as well as, coordinate necessary support services and act as a resource to help students obtain appropriate services beyond those provided at CR.

Priority Registration:  To help alleviate difficult and stressful situations in the process of registering for classes, DSPS offers priority registration to qualified students.

Learning Disabilities Assessment:  Individualized assessments to determine eligibility for learning disabilities services is available at CR.

High Tech Center:  Trains students with disabilities in the use of assistive computer technology.

Specialized Instructional Assistance:  Instructional assistance with emphasis on reading, writing, study skills and math adaptive strategies are available to students with disabilities.

Testing Accommodations:  Students who have disabilities that affect manual dexterity, vision or perception, generally may be allowed extra time to complete tests.

Liason to Campus and Community:  We help students access appropriate resources in the community over and above what is available at CR.

Notetakers:  Notetaking services may be provided for qualified students to assist in classes.

Readers:  Reader services are available for students with visual impairments, reading disabilities and some physical disabilities.

Books on Tape:  Taped textbooks can be obtained for qualified students through Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D).

Sign Language Interpreters:  Interpreters are professionals who are hired by DSPS to provide sign language interpretation in the classroom for students who are deaf/hard of hearing.

Real-Time Captioning:  A real-time captioners are available for students who are deaf/hard of hearing.  The real-time captioner types everything that is said in the class, as it is being said for a student.  The words appear on a lap top computer immediately, with a transcript of classroom notes provided after class.

Mobility Assistance:  On-campus van service, scooters and book cars are available for students with physical disabilities.  Arrangements can also be made for students to have appropriate height tables and/or chairs for in-classroom use.

Tape Recorders:  Students who are eligible for this service may check out a tape recorder each semester for classroom lectures.

Special Courses:

            Guidance 343 - Introduction to Learning Disabilities

            Guidance 345 - Adaptive Strategies for Learning Disabled

            Guidance 379 - Introduction to Adapted Computer Use

            Guidance 380 - Adapted Computer Assistance Instruction

            PE 90 - Adaptive Physical Education

            PE 93 - Adaptive Aquatic Swimming

            Art 110 - Art for the Disabled

            GS 110 - College Skills and Disability Awareness

STEPS TO DSP&S SERVICES

Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S) is the campus office responsible for determining and providing appropriate academic accommodations for students with disabilities.  Participation for students with disabilities on campus is voluntary.

In order for DSP&S to determine a student’s eligibility for services and to provide services, the following steps are recommended:

1.      APPLICATION

Fill out a college application for admission form.  Return it to the Admissions and Records office.

2.      ATTEND REDWOOD DAYS COLLEGE ORIENTATION MEETING

3.      APPOINTMENT WITH A DSP&S COUNSELOR OR SPECIALIST

Meet with your Counselor/Specialist each semester to receive services through DSP&S.  Make an appointment to meet with your DSP&S Counselor/Specialist to:  complete intake procedures, discuss accommodations, and plan classes.

4.      DSP&S APPLICATION

Fill out DSP&S Intake Packet before your first appointment with your DSP&S Counselor/Specialist.

5.      VERIFICATION OF DISABILITY AT THE DSP&S OFFICE

It is the responsibility of each student seeking accommodations and services to provide a comprehensive evaluation verifying the disabling condition and the resultant limitations.  DSP&S will give you a Release of Information form to fill out so that they may contact your physician or other appropriate professional on your behalf.  If they are unable to obtain the appropriate information, they may give you a Disability Verification form to hand carry, which contains a section that must be completed by a physician or other appropriate professional.

6.      COLLEGE ASSESSMENT TESTS

For untimed assessment testing, contact the Counseling Office.

7.      FINANCIAL AID

Be sure to apply for the Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver and federal financial aid, if appropriate.

8.      CLASS REGISTRATION

Instructions are in the class schedule.  Be prepared to pay all fees within 5 days of registration.

9.      BUY TEXTBOOKS

Remember that books are expensive.  Visit the campus bookstore for specific prices.

CR CAMPUS SERVICES

A range of services exists at CR to assist a student with anything from health care to buying books.  Many of the services are listed below:

Student Assistance Center (SAC):

• Counseling:  Academic, personal and career counseling is available through the Counseling Office and the DSPS Office.
• Career Development and Student Employment Center:  Provides information about future careers and job search assistance.
• Enrollment Services:  Responsible for applications, registration, maintenance of academic records, grades, and evaluation of transcripts.
• Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS):  Statewide outreach and special assistance program providing and an education support system for individuals from education, culturally, and financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Financial Aid:  Offers a variety of federal and state programs designed to provide students financial access to an education.

Assessment Center:  Assess academic achievement through college placement tests.

Associated Students of College of the Redwoods (ASCR):  Includes focal points for activities, events, organizations, clubs and information on campus.

Bookstore:  Sells college textbooks and other supplies.

CalSOAP: The California Student Opportunity and Access Program (CalSOAP) was created to assist low-income and first generation college students in their pursuit of higher education.

CalWorks:  A statewide employment plan designed to prepare individuals (who currently receive Cash Aid) for work. This program provides education, training, and supportive services to allow CalWORKs students to gain financial independence.

CARE:  Assists EOPS students who are also CalWORKs single parents.  CARE provides financial assistance for books, childcare, transportation, parking permits, and special support services.

Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSPS):  Offers eligible students a variety of disability related services such as priority registration, counseling, notetakers, interpreters, enlargement of materials, and other reasonable accommodations.

High Tech Center:  Provides information access for students with a disability that prevents them from receiving information in an ordinary way.

Job Placement Center:  Is a part of the Career Center that assists students in locating employment.

Learning Resource Center (LRC):  Offers free tutoring to any enrolled students.

Learning Integrating Guidance and High Tech (LIGHT) Center:  The LIGHT Center provides individualized assessment and instructional support for students with disabilities.

Student Health Services:  Provides student health support in a variety of ways.  Nurses are on duty.  Doctor appointments and lab work are available.

Transfer Center:  Offers information on all transfer institutions, admission requirements and college resources including catalogs, college web pages and more.

Upward Bound:  A year-round program designed to serve high potential students who are interested in graduating from high school and attending college, and are from a low income family or neither of their parents have received a four year college degree.

Writing Center:  Provides: tutorial assistance; Computers and printers for working on assignments and essays (and people to help you use them); copies of textbooks and reference books for use in the Writing Center; answer keys for self-corrected assignments; a quiet study room to work on English assignments; and unlimited Internet access.

What are some of the skills for success that you must develop and practice?

            College is a big responsibility, so it is important that you begin not to develop the skills you will need to be successful.  You may need appropriate accommodations, but after these are provided it is your responsibility to do well.

ACADEMIC SKILLS

I need to:

• Establish goals that will prepare me for college.
• Take college preparation classes.
• Improve my reading, writing, and math skills.
• Develop and improve strategies to compensate for my disability.
• Learn and practice time management strategies.
• Study effectively.
• Develop computer skills to improve writing competencies.

SELF-ADVOCACY SKILLS

I need to:

• Understand my disability and learn ways to compensate.
• Identify my strengths and weaknesses.
• Learn how to explain my disability and needs to others.
• Learn how to ask for appropriate accommodations.
• Learn that it is OK to use appropriate accommodations.
• Learn that it is OK to ask for help before it is too late to do so.
• Learn to accept my disability by recognizing my abilities.
• Develop mature social and personal skills.
• Recognize that success or failure is up to me.
• Enroll in General Studies, Guidance and Psychology classes:

GS 100      (College Skills)

GS 110      (College Skills and Disability Awareness)

Guid 8        (Career Planning)

Psych 33    (Personal Growth and Adjustment)

Educational Options

Adult Education:

Classes are designed to improve basic skills or for personal growth.  Examples include adult basic education and English as a Second Language.  These courses usually are not offered for college credit.  They may be repeated.  These courses are open entry/open exit.  Contact the Humboldt County Office of Education for more information.

Associate Degree (Community colleges):

The Associate Degree consists of two components:  courses of general education, and courses toward the major.  Contact the college to which you are applying.  Most colleges have progress policies or grade point average guidelines.  If these standards are not met, student may be placed on academic or progress probation.  Refer to the college catalog.  Some community colleges may offer programs to guarantee admissions into a UC or CSU.  See a college counselor for information.  Buy a college catalog.

Bachelor Degree (University of California, California State Universities, and private colleges and universities):

Consists of general education courses and courses for the major working toward a four-year Bachelor’s Degree.  Student may enter from high school or transfer from a Community College.  Contact the college to which you are applying.  Most colleges have progress policies or grade point average guidelines.  If these standards are not met, student may be placed on academic or progress probation.  Refer to the college catalog.  Colleges and universities may have different requirements for general admissions.  Contact the Admissions Office of the college of your choice for more information.  Buy a college catalog.

College Certificate (Community College):

College certificate programs are designed to provide employment skills and open vocational opportunities.  A college certificate is available upon completion of required courses.  Contact the college to which you are applying.  Most colleges have progress policies or grade point average guidelines.  If these standards are not met, student may be placed on academic or progress probation.  Refer to the college catalog.  These programs change with the current employment market.

Personal Enrichment (Community Colleges):

Community colleges offer personal enrichment courses that match your personal interests, e.g., career exploration, study skills, computer skills, art, and music.  These classes may be offered on a credit/no credit basis.  These courses may or may not be a part of a certificate and/or associate degree.

Regional Occupational Program (ROP):

ROP courses are vocational and designed to prepare for employment.  Students can earn an ROP certificate at the completion of course competencies.  Contact the Humboldt County Office of Education for more information.