Instructional/Classroom Accommodations

Accommodation Consultation	Note-taking Assistance
Alternate Media	Real-time Captioning
Assistive Technology	Sign Language Interpreting
Book Loans and Scholarships	Special Classes
Course Adjustments	Test Accommodation
Course Substitution	Tutoring
Instructor Liaison

Descriptions and important information about each accommodation and service is noted below.  Refer to the Disability Information Student Handbook (DISH) for the policies and procedures.
Requests to receive these accommodations or services should be made in DSS or EDC.

Accommodation Consultation

Counselors in Disability Support Services (DSS) and advisors in the Educational Diagnostic Center (EDC) are specialists who understand the impact of disability on college participation.  Since each disability is unique, they are familiar with a wide range of educational limitations.  They can recommend accommodations, services and strategies that are effective and afford students an equal opportunity to participate and succeed, while maintaining the course's academic rigor and standards. 

Individual course requirements vary.  It is helpful if students bring the class syllabus or outline and requirements to the counselor or advisor so they can evaluate specific course expectations, the student's functional limitations and potential accommodations.  Counselors and advisors can also help students who need assistance with how to explain their needs to instructors and can consult with students and instructors about accommodation requirements and options, if necessary.

If a student encounters a perceived barrier to participation in a college program, students should bring this concern to the counselor or advisor's attention.  It may be that the college has addressed the issue and with additional information, the student finds the issue is resolved. If not, it may be necessary to file an  Accommodation  Request form so that the concern can be evaluated for resolution.

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Alternate Media

Classroom materials, textbooks and college publications can be made available in an alternate media format for students who have a print disability.  These include:

• audio formats
• electronic text formats
• print enlargement
• Braille
• tactile graphics

Students work with their learning disability (LD) Specialist in EDC or their DSS counselor, in consultation with the Alternate Media Specialist to determine the most appropriate alternate media format. Students file a quarterly Alternate Media Authorization form, signed by the advisor/counselor and the Assistive Technology staff.  They then submit media requests for the quarter directly to the Alternate Media Specialist on an Alternate Media Request Form.

For more information and for the policies and procedures, refer to the DISH section on Alternate Media.

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Assistive Technology

A variety of assistive technology equipment is available for student use. The Computer Access Lab maintains a list of computer technology hardware and software in the lab and installed in other campus mainstream computer labs. Training courses in the basic use of assistive technology are offered every quarter.  Students can utilize the CAL equipment to independently complete course assignments.

An Assistive Technology Resource Room in the Library provides computer access by voice input, screen reading, Braille printing, optical scanning to E-text.  It contains closed circuit television enlargers, Braille writers, and other assistive resources.  The Reference area of the library also has several assistive technology stations.

Area maps of the campus indicate locations of accessible computing stations.

For more information and policies and procedures, refer to the DISH section on Assistive Technology.

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Book Loan

As a result of a specially funded program, a limited number of textbook titles may be loaned to eligible DSS students for the quarter.  The DSS counselor can inform students about current availability of these and will advise on eligibility.

Book Scholarships

Through the generosity of bequests made to the Foothill-De Anza Community College Foundation for students with disabilities,  DSS is able to offer financial scholarships to eligible DSS students to purchase classroom books and required materials for enrolled courses.

The college is not required to provide special or additional financial assistance to students with disabilities.  As a result, special stipulations govern the program and it is dependent on funding.

Students may contact their DSS counselor for more information and for an application.

Students with disabilities who do not meet the scholarship criteria for eligibility and who need financial assistance can consult with their counselor or advisor for other options available to obtain course materials.  The Financial Aid office can also be consulted about eligibility and provisions for the book loan program.

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Course Adjustment

In circumstances in which an otherwise qualified student with a disability cannot meet a specific course requirement in the manner prescribed for the class by the instructor, a course adjustment may be devised.  Examples might be:  flexibility in the course absence policy or extending a time line for completing an assignment.  These meet the following:

• Made on a case by case basis,
• May not alter the academic standard,
• Are made in a consultation process with the student, DSS counselor/EDC advisor and the instructor

For more information, refer to the applicable sections of the DISH, Attendance and Academic Adjustments.

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Course Substitution/Waiver

The college requirements for a degree or certificate may be modified in rare circumstances when a student who is able to complete a degree or certificate major, with the exception of a specific requirement directly as a result of disability-related limitations.

It is usually preferable to use whatever appropriate support services or accommodations to meet the requirement.  However, when not feasible, course substitution, rather than wavier, is typically the approach.  Any such substitution or waiver applies only to the De Anza Certificate or Degree.  They do not transfer to other colleges or universities.

Students whose circumstances warrant consideration of course substitution should meet with their counselor/advisor in a timely manner so as not to delay the time line to complete their educational goal.  The counselor/advisor can assist the student with the decision and the process to apply.

Refer to the DISH, Course Substitution

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Instructor Liaison

Students are encouraged to discuss their disability-related needs and accommodations with instructors. Students can receive assistance from their counselor or advisor in how to effectively advocate for themselves.

Instructors are not routinely notified about a student's course enrollment or accommodation needs, except in the case of a classroom assistant, interpreter or captioner, or other classroom adjustments necessitating instructor notice and cooperation.  If desired, any student can request this service from the DSS counselor and and authorize an Instructor Referral, Accommodation Letter or Progress Note be sent.  In these cases, students authorize such a notification. These are delivered by the student or sent confidentially to the classroom teacher. 

Refer to the DISH section on Instructor Liaison for more information.

Students should request the counselor's assistance or intervention if issues arise that the student cannot resolve. Occasionally, an instructor may request more information about accommodations or the student's eligibility.  Counselors and advisors do not disclose disability status or diagnosis, but may confirm that a student has properly documented a disability and is entitled to a specific accommodation.  Often a simple clarification resolves an issue.  If more mediation or information is required, the student is informed and normally, a dialog is initiated that involves all parties, with confidentiality safe-guarded and collaboration encouraged.

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Note-taking Assistance

When a disability makes class note-taking ineffective, students may consult with their DSS counselor or EDC advisor to discuss the best alternative for a particular course.

• Tape-recording
  

  Students with disabilities may tape-record instructor lectures, as stated in the De Anza Senate Policy on tape-recording
  
  

• Instructor Copies

  Instructors who have lecture notes, overheads, or power-point presentations may be able to share these for use as a note taking template. Arrangements can be made to copy these through DSS.
  
  

• Classmate Copies

  • A peer volunteer can be solicited from the class to provide a copy of the course notes.
  • Non-carbon reproduction (NCR) paper is available without charge in the DSS office.
  • Classmates who volunteer to take notes may receive a stipend for providing this assistance.  To do so they
    
    • must register in a timely way at DSS and
    • provide the service through the end of the quarter.
  • To be authorized for this service, students must meet with their DSS counselor or EDC advisor, who will assist the student with the process to solicit the note-taker and properly document the service.

NOTE: When students use instructor materials or tapes, they may be asked to sign a Restricted Use Agreement.

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Real-Time Captioning and Sign Language Interpreting

Deaf Services provides communication access services to Deaf and hard of hearing students enrolled at De Anza through Disability Support Services.  Sign language interpreting, real time captioning and assistive listening devices are made available to students for curriculum and other college activities.  Deaf Services also coordinates the captioning of instructional materials.

New students to De Anza must provide appropriate disability documentation and follow the procedures to enroll as a new DSS student before they can receive classroom services.  Continuing students register for classes with their DSS counselor each quarter.  Students then meet with the Deaf Services supervisor to orient to Deaf Services policies and procedures and to request classroom support services.

Since such services take time to arrange, it is important to register for classes during the DSS early, priority enrollment period. These dates are posted on the Announcement/News section on this Website and are emailed to continuing students. Late schedule changes past the early registration deadline may result in a delay in service.

Services are also provided for students to meet with instructors, tutors or for other required educational activities. Requests should be submitted on the request form at least one week in advance.

Students are required to notify Deaf Services if they will not be attending class so that services can be canceled.

For more information and for policies and procedures, refer to the Deaf Services website and the DISH section, Accommodations & Services for Deaf/Hard of Hearing.

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Special Classes

The emphasis of the Special Education Division programs on campus is to enable students with disabilities to participate in the college curriculum offered by De Anza's instructional Divisions.  Adapted classes are designed to be in support of this effort.  refer to the individual program websites or the Special Education Division web-site for information on specific classes.

Adapted classes on campus are offered in

• adapted physical education,
• assistive technology evaluation and training,
• specialized skill development classes through the Educational Diagnostic Center (EDC)

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Test Accommodation

Accommodation for classroom testing provides an equal opportunity for students with verified disabilities to demonstrate mastery of the course objectives and take required course exams or evaluative assignments.

In the case of students with learning disabilities, visual impairments, limited dexterity, or psychological disabilities, the need for, and type of, accommodation depends on the impact the disability has on test taking. Students with other verified disabilities may also be eligible for accommodations.

Although test accommodations are determined on a case-by-case basis, frequently used accommodations include:

• reader and scribe service
• testing in alternative media
• reduced distraction environments
• use of assistive technology
• extended time
• use of dictionaries, spell-checkers, and calculators

Test accommodation is arranged in the following steps

1. They are determined in consultation with the EDC advisor or the DSS counselor.
   
2. A Test Accommodation Verification Form (TAV) is signed by the counselor/advisor and student.
3. The student  provides the TAV form to  the classroom instructor for signature, and to confirm arrangements for individual exam accommodations.
4. The student then turns in the TAV form to the Test Facilitator in DSS, who coordinates appointments and authorized accommodations.

Students are authorized for accommodation based on their educational limitation(s) and the evaluative activities in the course. For this reason, students should always bring the course syllabus or outline whenever they meet with their advisor/counselor or the Test Facilitator to discuss test accommodation. 

When DSS provides test accommodation service, times lines for appointments, guidelines and policies are adhered to. Students need to be aware of these in order to ensure they receive appropriate accommodations, including keeping their Test Appointment Reminder slips handy and their test appointments calendered.   Students should maintain regular contact with the Test Facilitator, and update their adivsor/counselor without delay should any test issues or concerns up without delay.

Test security and integrity are strictly enforced to protect student achievement and college standards.

Critical test accommodation deadlines and information are often posted on Announcements/News section here.  These notices are emailed to students on the email distribution list and are also posted in the DSS and EDC offices.

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Tutoring

Tutoring services may be provided through the Educational Diagnostic Center (EDC) for math or language classes or through other campus tutoring services, including the Reading/Writing Lab,  Tutorial Center, Math & Science Tutorial Center, the Listening & Speaking Lab. 

In the  EDC lab, instructional associates provide instructional support tutoring generally in a group or lab setting.

The Tutorial Center offers one-to-one and drop-in peer tutoring for De Anza courses in a wide variety of departments, based on availability.

The DSS counselor can help advise about the most appropriate service and provide the necessary enrollment forms and liaison.

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Didn't Find What You Were Looking For?

Refer to the Table of Contents in the Disability Information Student Handbook (DISH) for much more, including

• additional accommodation issues and services
• strategies for success in college
• legal Issues
• confidentiality Policies
• Suspension of Services Policy

Or contact the individual program of interest.

back to About EDC