Do not worry about your problems with mathematics; I assure you mine are far greater.”
Disability Support Services (DSS), CSU, Chico
Examples of Direct Services
The following are the most common services requested from students registered with DSS. Since services are individualized based on students' specific accommodation needs, this is not an exhaustive list. Students are encouraged to speak with DSS advisor to explore all appropriate services.
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- Examination Accommodations
- Guidelines for Exam Accommodations
- Alternate Media Services
- Interpreter/Captioner Services
- Notetaker Services
- Scribe Services
- Reader Services
- On-Campus Transportation
- Priority Registration
- Student/Faculty Liaison
Examination Accommodations
Students with disabilities may be eligible for certain examination accommodations. The procedures for providing the accommodation vary with the type of exam taken. Listed below are the procedures for the most common type of exam accommodations.
Whenever possible, students are encouraged to coordinate exam accommodations directly with their instructors. Often, accommodations such as additional time or enlarged exams can be handled within the classroom or academic department. With the approval of instructors, exam accommodations may also be administered through the DSS office. Typical test accommodations provided by DSS include extended time, use of word processors, readers and/or scribes, and a distraction-reduced setting.
Guidelines for Exam Accommodations
- The student with disabilities is encouraged to meet with a DSS advisor each semester to determine reasonable requests. The student then meets with the faculty to discuss arrangements for exam accommodations.
- If exam accommodations cannot be provided through the faculty, then DSS will provide a proctored area between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Other times can be scheduled if necessary.
- When students with disabilities plan to take a test in the DSS proctored area, they must present an exam request to the faculty. The completed exam request must be returned to DSS no later than three working days before the scheduled exam. If a reader, scribe, or proctor for off site exams is needed, the exam request form must be submitted to DSS no less than five working days prior to the scheduled exam.
Exams may be sent to DSS in the following manner:
- Fax: 530-898-4411
- E-mail: dssdept@csuchico.edu
- Campus mail: Zip 726
- Hand delivered by student or faculty
- Completed exams may be picked up by faculty, delivered by student, faxed, or returned through campus mail.
- Due to the heavy volume of test accommodation requests prior to finals, DSS students are encouraged to complete the final exam request forms as soon as possible. Finals week exam forms are to be submitted to DSS no later than one week prior to the first day of finals.
Download Exam Request Form
Accommodations for Standardized Tests
Tests administered by an institution other than the California State University
The SAT, GRE, ACT and other tests used as part of the University's entrance requirement or for assessing professional competency are administered by private testing companies. Each testing company has its own procedure for arranging accommodated testing. Typically, instructions for requesting accommodations are listed on the test company's Web site under "arrangements for alternative test administration."
When registering for the test and requesting accommodations, testing companies often require a copy of a person's original, current documentation and/or a letter on letterhead from a person (such as a high school counselor) who is qualified to confirm that the individual has a documented disability and has been receiving accommodations. The registration form and the request for accommodation with the appropriate documentation are then mailed to the testing company weeks before the test registration deadline. The testing company will notify you if you are approved for accommodated testing. The campus Test Office where you will test is also notified and may contact you about arrangements.
Tests administered by the California State University for placement purposes
The EPT and ELM are placement tests in English and math that are required of most first time freshmen and some transfer students. You may take these tests at a CSU campus close to your home. You should request accommodations from the CSU campus where you will take the exam rather than the campus where you intend to enroll.
If you want to take the EPT and ELM at CSU, Chico with accommodations, first contact the Disability Support Services (DSS) office on Chico's campus well in advance of the test registration deadline. Tell us that you intend to take the ELM and/or EPT here. We will ask you to supply us with a copy of your current disability documentation via fax, mail, or by dropping it off in person. We will ask you what accommodation you are asking for and we will check that your documentation supports this. We will then forward a Request for Testing Accommodation form to our Testing Office listing the appropriate accommodation for you.
Meanwhile you also need to contact the Testing Office to register for the ELM and/or EPT before the test deadline. Make sure you notify them that you are requesting accommodations and that you have contacted our office.
Most branches of the CSU have a procedure similar to ours for requesting accommodation on the ELM and EPT. You should call the Disability Support Services office or Testing Office at the CSU nearest you to determine what their exact procedures are for procuring ELM/EPT accommodations.
Alternate Media Services
DSS provides academically related material in alternative formats for students who are registered with DSS and who have been deemed eligible. The conversion format is based on what students require in order to access instructional materials. Eligibility for Alternate Media services is determined by the DSS Advisor based on weather student has a “print disability” as defined by AB 422. Conversion of instructional materials is a lengthy process. Students need to make requests at least six weeks prior to need.
Alternate Media Services Policy Guidelines
Step 1: An individual with a disability requesting alternate media for the first time must meet with a DSS staff member to determine eligibility for the service. Eligibility for alternative instructional material is based on the professional documentation provided by the student that verifies the student has a print disability limitation which inhibits the functional use of standard instructional material in print format.
Step 2: Once found to be eligible, the individual must read, agree to, and sign the alternate media agreement. This step is in compliance with AB 422.
Step 3: Each semester, students requesting texts in alternate media formats, must submit a request for alternate media. This form is located in DSS office and is also available electronically. If you need assistance completing the form, contact your DSS advisor or DSS receptionist.
Download Alternate Media Form (PDF, 56k)
Other Educational Support Services
Interpreter/Captioner Services
Sign language interpreters and real-time captioners are available for deaf or hard-of-hearing students. These professional interpreters and captioners follow the code of ethics established by the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID).
Guidelines
Students needing interpreter or captioner services must meet with their DSS advisor to determine which services are most appropriate for their needs. Consideration will be made to provide students with their preferred accommodation. It is essential that students submit their class list to their DSS advisor as soon as possible in order to arrange schedules. All scheduling adjustments must be coordinated through the DSS advisor.
It is important for students using this service to notify the DSS office if they are unable to attend class. No explanation is necessary when students notify DSS in advance. Students may use the California Relay Service to leave voice mail messages when the DSS office is closed.
California Relay Service (CSR)—MCI
TTY: 1-800-735-2929
Voice: 1-800-735-2922
or dial 711 to reach the relay service.
Service providers are instructed to meet students at the classroom, prior to scheduled class time. If a student does not show up during the first 15 minutes of the class, the service provider will leave and contact DSS for messages. If there are no messages from the student, the incident will be reported as a “no-show” and services for any subsequent classes that day maybe canceled. Students may notify DSS to reinstate the services at any time during the day, however, DSS cannot guarantee services will be provided because service providers may have already been reassigned. If a student fails to show up for class on the following day, all services will be discontinued until their DSS advisor is notified. Classroom notes or captioner transcripts will not be provided when students do not attend class.
Services will be suspended for a class if a student has a total of three “no-shows” in that class during a semester. The student must meet with their DSS advisor to resume services.
If a service provider does not arrive during the first 10 minutes of a scheduled class time, the student should contact DSS for messages and request a substitute. Every effort will be made to find a substitute or another appropriate accommodation.
Requests for interpreter or captioner services outside regular class time should be made five working days in advance by completing the interpreter/captioner request form. This procedure is necessary to ensure coverage and accountability. If less than five days notice is given DSS will make an effort to provide, but will not guarantee provision of services.
Notetaker Services
Students whose disability makes accurate, reliable, notetaking difficult may be eligible for notetaker services as a reasonable accommodation.
Guidelines
If approved for notetaker services, students are encouraged to ask a classmate to take notes. DSS facilitates the sharing process by providing carbonless NCR notepaper so notes will not have to be copied. Ask the DSS staff for a supply of paper.
If you are unable to locate a classmate to share notes or prefer a more confidential approach your advisor will help recruit a notetaker.
A letter will be sent to your instructor asking him or her to announce to the class that a notetaker is needed (your name will not be announced). In some cases, an educational assistant may be assigned to take notes in the class. You must meet with the notetaker to discuss your notetaking needs and make arrangements to receive copies of the notes. It is recommended that you and your notetaker exchange phone numbers in the case of an absence.
Notetakers are not required to provide notes on the days you miss class. Notetaker services may be discontinued for excessive absences.
Scribe Services
Students with disabilities who need assistance to produce written material may be provided scribe services. Scribes write material dictated by students for examinations, term papers, and other required writing assignments. You must provide the support service coordinator with a minimum of five working days’ advance notice to ensure a scribe is available on the date needed.
Students are responsible for all the written material produced by scribes, including content, sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling.
Scribes will write only what is dictated to them. They are not permitted to answer questions about the content of the dictated material or to provide tutoring services for students. Students are responsible for adjusting their dictation speed to ensure scribes are able to record everything.
Laboratory Assistant Services
Working under the direction of the student, lab assistants perform lab procedures in campus labs that the student may not be able to perform.
The student and lab assistant meet with the lab instructors in advance of the class to clarify responsibilities. Students are responsible for directing the lab assistants’ activities.
Lab assistants are not responsible for drawing conclusions from lab exercises or assignments.
Research Assistant Services
Under the direction of the student with a disability, research assistants may gather material and read it aloud or copy it for research projects.
Students with disabilities are responsible for knowing how to use the library and other research tools.
Students with disabilities must be prepared with whatever research materials are needed for their projects.
Reader Services
Reader services are provided to students who have a documented print disability. Students may require the assistance of a face-to-face reader for exams, in class reading assignments or other situations where the production of alternative text is not feasible.
It is recommended that students who require alternatively formatted text register with Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D).
If a student needs text in alternative format, it is very important that DSS receives a list of required books as soon as possible. DSS employs students to scan and format books throughout the entire year, and it is best to have them working during breaks and the summer so textbooks can be ready when school begins.
Electronic reading systems are available for students with disabilities at the Meriam Library ATC Computer Lab. The Open Book Unbound and the Kurzweil 1000 and 3000 Readers scan printed material and articulate it through a voice synthesizer.
Text material can be saved on computer disks or on audiotapes. Electronic reading works well for students needing information quickly and allows for enhanced independence. DSS strongly encourages the use of these electronic reading systems.
Technical support and training are available through DSS and Student Computing.
On-Campus Transportation
The Cart Service
CSU, Chico Disability Support Services provides on-campus shuttle service for students, who are physically unable to walk to campus locations. All rides requested are subject to availability of cart and drivers.
Eligibility for Cart Services
Students must provide current documentation of disability that indicates a limitation to ambulation, a restriction from walking due to a pulmonary or cardiac condition, or a clearly visible physical condition that could require mobility assistance (e.g., the loss of a leg, cerebral palsy, etc.).
Students requesting cart services must complete the cart services request below and turn it into the DSS office (SSC 170).
Operating Hours
Regular operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Individuals requiring rides after 5 p.m. should contact the campus police shuttle service.
Cancelling Cart Service
You must notify DSS in at least 30 minutes before your scheduled pick up if you do not need transportation service on a given day or particular time. If you miss your scheduled pick up and have not notified DSS, cart services will be canceled for the remainder of the day. Three such “no shows” will result in a suspension of cart services. In order to re establish services, you will need to make an appointment with your advisor.
Please Note the Following
DSS shuttle service operates on a tight schedule. You will be picked up within five minutes of your scheduled time. If you are more than five minutes late, you will be considered a “no show.” You should allow 30 minutes to get to class using the cart service.
Cart rides may not be “destination direct” depending on whether other passengers are being dropped off or picked up in the same window of time. The driver will exercise judgment when multiple passengers are scheduled in the same time frame, to best accommodate all riders.
Cart drivers will NOT provide personal assistance to student passengers, such as personal errands.
Students are expected to treat cart drivers with respect and courtesy. Failing to do so will result in suspension of cart services.
Download the Cart Agreement Form (DOC, 40k)
Priority Registration
Continuing students who are registered with DSS are eligible for priority registration. Priority registration increases the probability that students with disabilities will secure registration in a course schedule that is most conducive to their needs. Current university policy is to allow priority groups to use the portal to register for classes on the first day of open registration for the coming semester. Students should be prepared with their class lists for the coming semester on the first day of registration.
- Students are notified through the portal, of the time and date they may first use the portal for registration of classes. Students can contact the DSS office if they have received a date for registration that is past the opening day.
- If a student needs an accommodation in order to register for classes, a DSS advisor can assist in making arrangements.
- Students can enter the portal to add, drop, or rearrange classes throughout the open enrollment period.
Student/Faculty Liaison
DSS recommends, and departments may require, that students have DSS send an introductory letter to their instructors. The letter verifies the student is receiving services from DSS and emphasizes that the student will discuss his or her accommodation needs with the instructor. For instructor letters to be effective, they should be sent in time to apply the accommodation. Typically the student is also given a form called an exam guide to take to their professors. The exam guide lists DSS procedures and notes specific accommodations that are being requested.
If disability-related access problems occur in the classroom, students should try to resolve the issue with the instructor. Students are encouraged to notify their DSS advisor as soon as they encounter unresolved problems in their classrooms. Advisors can discuss strategies with students regarding how to approach an instructor with access issues. If approaching the instructor directly does not result in reasonable access, DSS advisors will assist students with the process. If an issue cannot be satisfactorily resolved, the student may discuss the situation with Student Judicial Affairs on campus.