Learn more about DVC Disability Support Services and a list of disabilities for which we provide accommodations.
Students receiving services through DSS must have a chronic disabling condition that has been verified by an appropriate professional and or physician.
Disabilities We Provides Services For
DSS provides a variety of services, depending on students' needs. Below is a list of disabilities for which we provide services.
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Definition
Acquired Brain Injury means a deficit in brain functioning which is non- degenerative and is medically verifiable, resulting in a total or partial loss of one or more of the following: cognitive, communication, motor, psycho-social and sensory perceptual abilities. (Administrative Code, Title 5)
Among the cognitive deficits persons with head injuries may experience are difficulties with concentration, memory, problem solving and abstract reasoning.
Accommodations
- Extended time on exams
- Kurzweil
- Alternate media
- Note taking
- Mobility
- High Tech Center
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Definition
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurological condition characterized by problems with attention, focusing and persistence and often, but not always, hyperactivity. ADD/ADHD must be diagnosed by a medical doctor, psychiatrist or licensed psychologist.
Accommodations
- Tutoring
- Emphasizing special learning strategies
- Math tutoring
- Learning Skills Program
- Equipment
- Tape recording of lectures
- Echo smart pen
- Notetaking
- NCR paper for note taking by classmate
- Testing accommodations
- Reduced distraction environment
- Extended time
- Tutoring
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Definition
The Title 5 definition of Intellectual Disability is significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior that affect and limit the student's ability to access the educational process.
Accommodations
After a students' general ability has been verified and related educational limitations identified, a certificated DSS staff member will determine whether a student is "otherwise qualified" to receive services from DSS. Once a determination is made, the DSS staff member may recommend services on or off campus, which have a reasonable chance of enhancing the students' goal attainment.
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Definition
The generic term hearing Impairment is used to describe all types of hearing deficits, ranging from a mild loss to profound deafness. Hearing impairment is the most prevalent chronic physical disability in the United States with over 13 million individuals being affected. More specifically, Hard of Hearing is a condition where hearing is defective to varying degrees (usually a hearing aid can enhance the understanding of speech.) Deaf/Deafness is a condition in which perceivable sounds have no meaning for ordinary life purposes (hearing aids enhance awareness of vibrations such as horns and sirens, but not speech.)
Accommodations
- Notetaking
- ASL Interpreter Services
- Captioner in class
Equipment
- Sennhauser FM System
- Sennhauser Infrared System (Available in the Forum, the Performing Arts Building, and the Arena Theater)
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Definition
A learning disability in California Community College adults is a persistent condition of presumed neurological dysfunction which may also exist with other disabling conditions. This dysfunction continues despite instruction in standard classroom situations. Learning disabled adults, a heterogeneous group, have these common attributes:
- average to above average intellectual ability;
- severe processing deficit;
- severe aptitude-achievement discrepancy(ies); and
- measured achievement in an instructional or employment setting.
Learning Skills Program
High Tech Center (HTC)
- Word processing
- Spell checking
- Grammar checking
- Smart pens
- Zoom text and JAWS are screen readers
- Dragon and other speech to text programs
Equipment Loan
- Tape recording of lectures
- Alpha Smart mini note taking device
- MP3 players
Alternate Media Services
- Transferring textbooks and class materials into alternate formats.
- Enrollment with Learning Ally to receive taped texts
Testing Accommodations
- Extended time
- Distraction free environment
- Kurzweil
- Use of a computer
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Physical disabilities include any disability that limits or prevents a student from traversing distances or carrying heavy loads while on campus.
How to Arrange for Mobility Services
Carts are available to provide on-campus transportation. Students who may be eligible for this service are those with temporary and permanent orthopedic disabilities that affect their mobility.
Schedule an appointment with a DSS counselor to receive authorization for services. Bring verification of disability unless one is already on file with DSS.
Read and sign the Mobility Assistance Contract (SSC 248). A current course schedule must be included with the contract.
Mobility services policy
- Mobility services will only be provided to a student who has a verified disability and who has disability-related functional limitations that prevent the student from traversing distances or carrying heavy loads while on campus.
- Mobility services are provided to and from classes. Other course related mobility services must be prearranged with the mobility assistance coordinator.
- Students may not, while being provided mobility services, ask the mobility assistant to stop to allow them to socialize.
- The student must be at the designated area and be ready at the prearranged time.
- Mobility services are available on an emergency basis (e.g., after a fall, sudden rain, etc.).
- If excused from class early, the student either needs to wait for the scheduled mobility assistant or have someone call the Mobility Assistance Coordinator (e.g., often the instructor is willing to do this).
- It is the student's responsibility to notify the Mobility Assistance Coordinator as soon as possible at 925-969-2173 if s/he will be unable to meet the mobility assistant as scheduled. Three (3) failures to notify may result in termination of this service.
- The student is responsible for informing the Mobility Assistance Coordinator whenever changes occur that affect the student's need for mobility services.
Accessible Parking
DVC does not issue disability parking placards. Students who have a designated license plate or a parking placard issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles do not need a DVC parking permit; they are eligible to park in any specially marked handicapped parking space. If these spaces are full, parking is permitted in any other parking stall. Parking in driveways, on lawns or other prohibited parking locations is not permitted.
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Definition
According to Title 5, mental health disability means a persistent psychological or psychiatric disorder, or emotional or mental illness, such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
A psychological disability must be verified by a licensed or certified professional (licensed psychologist, psychiatrist or Marriage and Family Therapist -- MFT.) The accommodations for a student with a psychological disability must be defined in Title 5 regulations as a disability-related support service. Accommodations may not include psychotherapy.
Accommodations
Testing Accommodations
- Extended time
- Periodic breaks
- Distraction-reduced environment
Equipment Loan
- Tape recording of lectures
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Definition
Visual Impairment means total or partial loss of sight (Title 5).
Accommodations
- Equipment loan
- Tape recording of lectures
- Alternate media services
- Books scanned in Alternate format (i.e., audio files, electronic text format)
- Testing accommodations
- Extra time
- Print enlargement
- Kurzweil
- JAWS
- Zoom Text Extra
- Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
- Dragon Naturally Speaking
- Brailled text or test, if preferred
- Mobility assistance
- High Tech Center
- Zoom Text
- Kurzweil 1000
- JAWS
- Dragon Naturally Speaking
- Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
- Equipment loan
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Definition
This category includes all students with disabilities, who do not fall into any of the categories described, but who indicate a need for support services or instruction. (Title 5)
This includes medical and physical disabilities such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), chronic pain, diabetes, environmental illness, cardiac disorders, multiple sclerosis, pregnancy, post child birth and muscular dystrophy.
Accommodations
Special accommodations are not always needed for students who have "other" disabilities. Students should meet with a DSS Counselor to discuss their specific situation. Following are various accommodations that might be appropriate:
- High Tech Center
- Counseling
- Notetaking Services
- Space for Lactation
Note: Due to legal responsibilities, Contra Costa Community College District policy requires that a member of Police Services be summoned in case a person on campus has a seizure with convulsions. Therefore, students with seizure disorders are requested to identify themselves to campus police services and specify appropriate treatment.