Counseling

The Disability Services and Programs for Students (DSPS) office offers academic counseling and accommodation services for students with disabilities. These services may include academic, vocational, and disability advocacy support, counseling, academic adjustments, and auxiliary aids. Counselors make determinations of reasonable academic adjustments and accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Verification of disability is required.

Schedule an Appointment

To schedule an appointment with a counselor, call a DSPS office:

Ocean Campus
415-452-5481

John Adams Center
415-561-1001

DSPS counselors are available at the Mission Center or the Chinatown North Beach Center on a limited schedule. Counseling is in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and American Sign Language. Interpreting services are available for other languages.

In accordance with Federal laws, all disability-related contracts and services with DSPS remain confidential unless the person with the disability signs a written release.

Accommodations

At ²¡¶°Ò¹ÇÚ, we offer a broad range of legally mandated reasonable accommodations, including but not limited to:

  • Auxiliary aids for students with impaired sensory, manual, language, or processing skills. Such aids may include audio texts, readers, scribes, interpreters, note-takers, tape recorders, adaptive classroom furniture, and other similar services or equipment. 
  • Tests administered in such a manner that results for students with sensory, manual, speaking or learning disabilities measure the students' aptitudes or achievement levels rather than the functional limitations of their disabilities.

Eligibility for accommodations is determined through an interactive process with a DSPS counselor.

Examples of Services, Accommodations, and Auxiliary Aids

After a counselor verifies your disability, they will recommend appropriate accommodations to support you at ²¡¶°Ò¹ÇÚ. These accommodations may include some of the following:

Accessible Computer Laboratories
Located at Ocean Campus & John Adams
The Ocean Campus and John Adams Center Accessible Computer Laboratories are equipped with computers and assistive technologies, including screen magnification, screen readers, text-to-speech programs, speech recognition programs, Braille embossers, and modified keyboard and pointing devices. Specialized software is available as well. Training is provided.
Assistive Listening Device on Loan
A sound-amplifying device which may be attached to a hearing aid or used separately.
Books and Documents in Alternative Format
Arrangements can be made for textbooks, course materials, and tests to be provided in audio, Braille, large print, and e-text formats for students with qualifying disabilities.
Equipment
Closed-circuit TV to display enlarged print and electric scooters are available for daily loan. Portable equipment is also available for loan, including assistive listening devices, audio recorders, magnifiers, Smart Pens, and other assistive devices.
Lockers
Lockers are located in Cloud Hall and are available on a case-by-case basis. The DSPS office provides a lock which must be returned at the end of the semester.
Disabled Parking Information
Medical placards issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles allow students with ²¡¶°Ò¹ÇÚ permits to park in student, faculty, or staff parking lots and blue zones on campuses. If you have any questions, please contact the Campus Police at 415-239-3200.
Preferential Seating
Seating in front of the classroom may be arranged.

Priority Registration
Priority registration date allows students to enroll in classes early. Students unable to register on their own may be registered by proxy.

Readers, Scribes & Test Proctors
Available by arrangement based on eligibility.

Referrals
Services on and off-campus, such as Financial Aid, Learning Assistance Center, Writing Success Project, Career Development and Placement, Independent Living Resource Center, DOR, and other community agencies. Referral to the State Department of Rehabilitation for vocational planning and job placement.
Sign Language Interpreters
Sign language interpreters and captioners are available, and real-time captioners are available based on eligibility. Scheduling policies apply.
Test Accommodations
Additional time to complete exams, taking tests in a different modality, or other arrangements. Your DSPS counselor will prepare a letter to your instructor verifying your eligibility.

Transit
DSPS loans electric scooters on the Ocean Campus to eligible students. Scooters can be made available at other campuses and centers by arrangement.