Our Mission
The mission of the Disabled Students' Program (DSP) is to ensure that all students with disabilities
have equal access to educational opportunities at UC Berkeley. We offer a wide range of
services, accommodations, and auxiliary services for
students with disabilities. These services are individually
designed, and based on the specific needs of each student as
identified by DSP's Specialists.
The Disabled Students' Program serves students with disabilities of all kinds, including mobility, visual,
or hearing impairments; speech impairments; chronic illnesses such as AIDS, diabetes,
and lupus; seizure disorders; head injuries; painful conditions such as back injuries and
carpal tunnel syndrome; psychological disabilities such as bipolar disorder
and severe anxiety or depression; attention deficit disorder; and learning disabilities.
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Academic Advising
DSP Specialists assist currently-enrolled Berkeley
students with course selection. Because Specialists are not
students' academic advisors, it is important that students
also meet with their college or major advisors for
information regarding major and degree requirements.
Specialists consult with students' academic advisors in the
various departments or colleges, or help students themselves
make these contacts.
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Academic Accommodations
Specialists determine which accommodations are
appropriate to a student's particular disability or
disabilities. Following are some of the more
commonly-prescribed accommodations:
- A student is permitted to make audio-recordings of
class lectures.
- A student is given extended time on
examinations.
- During examinations a student is given frequent
breaks for rest, medication, food, or exercise.
- During examinations an amanuensis records the
student's answers.
- A student is furnished with copies of examinations in
Braille or large-print format.
- A student is allowed to use a basic four-function
calculator during examinations.
- A student is allowed to use a laptop computer during examinations.
- A student is not penalized for mechanical errors
(spelling, punctuation, capitalization, handwriting, and
proofing) on in-class writing assignments and
examinations.
- The instructor uses alternative testing formats for
the student's exams: For example, oral rather than
written, short-answer rather than multiple-choice (or
vice versa), or essay rather than multiple-choice.
Specialists may recommend a
reduced course load (for a single semester or for a
student's entire academic career) when the student's
disability makes it necessary to work more slowly and spend
more time on each course. Specialists can assist students in
securing approval from the deans of their colleges for
reduced course loads. DSP works with the Financial Aid
Office to protect the student's award from being impacted by
taking a reduced course load.
Occasionally a student's
disability necessitates an adjustment in required courses.
The student's Specialist determines whether learning
disabilities will prevent the student's mastery of course
material in mathematics or foreign languages. If so, the
Specialist advises the student about the procedures to be
followed in seeking adjustments. Both the Specialist and the
student must write to the dean of the student's college
explaining the special requests.
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Auxiliary Services
Specialists determine which Auxiliary Services are
appropriate to a student's particular disability or
disabilities. The following are some of the more common
types of services:
- Communication Assistant
- Note-taking
- Laboratory Assistant
- Reading
- Real-Time Captioning
- Sign Language Transliteration
- Test Amanuensis
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Assistive
Technology
DSP's Computer Specialist can assist students with
disabilities in selecting and configuring computer hardware
and software that best meet their individual
disability-related needs. Students can also get help
establishing email accounts and learning to use standard and
specialized applications and resources on the web.
DSP makes available to
students several kinds of technology to help offset the
effects of their disabilities. Computer-based technology is
located in the Disabled Students' Assistive Technology
Center (the CAVE) in Moffitt Library; keys to this facility
are issued to eligable Students.
- The Arkenstone Open Book System scans printed
material, converts it to ASCII for disk storage, and
reads it aloud for the student.
- The Dragon/Naturally Speaking System enables the
student to control a PC and input text by speaking into a
microphone.
Specialists help students
order recordings of textbooks on audiotape through
Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic. These audiotapes can
be played on four-track cassette players in the CAVE.
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Attendant
Referral
The Attendant Referral Advisor screens and interviews
prospective attendants for personal care and household
chores, and maintains listings which can be consulted by
students with mobility impairments.
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Compensatory Techniques
and Coping Strategies
Specialists help students understand their learning
strengths and weaknesses, and teach students compensatory
strategies (for example, techniques for note-taking,
time-management, memorizing, and studying for tests). In
addition, they answer students' questions about the way
their disabilities may affect their performance in courses,
chosen careers, or social settings.
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Disability Groups for
Students
Specialists inform students about staff- and student-run
disability groups, as well as local, state, and national
organizations. We encourage students to become informed and
active in decisions regarding disability law and services.
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Exploring Learning Differences:
Strategies for Success Education 98/198 (Section 15)
(Section 15).This 2-unit P/NP course is designed to help
students with learning disabilities of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder succeed at Cal. The course combines disability information
with academic success tips and solid peer support. The class is
sponsored by the Student Learning Center, Counseling and Psychological
Services, and the Disabled Students' Program. Sign up through TeleBEARS.
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Financial
Advising
UC Berkeley's Office of Financial Aid administers loans,
grants, and scholarships for which students with
disabilities may be eligible. The Assistant to the Director
can assist students in understanding the relationship
between UC Financial Aid and other sources of assistance
(such as the Department of Rehabilitation and the Social
Security Administration).
Specialists assist students
in informing the Financial Aid Office about any special
disability circumstances that may affect their eligibility
for financial aid. These circumstances include the
following: 1). inability to work while attending school; 2).
reduced course loads; and 3). disability-related extra
expenses.
Specialists can provide
information about DSP's Student Grants. These grants are
administered by DSP to assist low-income students in
purchasing equipment or assistive that either provides access to
instructional material or promotes physical independence.
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Housing
Assistance
Housing and Dining Services allots DSP a certain number
of spaces within the residence halls. These spaces can be
used to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities.
In order to use one of the allotted spaces, a student must
provide DSP with documentation of a disability-related need
for special housing.
If you are a student who
has a physical disability and requires help in developing independent living skills, you may receive assistance through participation in
the Disabled Students' Residence Program. The Residence
Program provides a staff of experienced people who are
available to assist you with your personal care as you
develop your own independent living skills. The Program is
located in the Unit I Cheney Residence Complex.
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Priority Enrollment
(Tele-BEARS)
Students with disabilities receive priority enrollment
through early appointment times on the Tele-Bears enrollment
system. Early appointments give students with disabilities
first choice in course enrollment before most other students
have access to the enrollment system. Therefore, it is very
important that students keep their appointment times; if
students miss their appointments, they lose priority
enrollment for that semester.
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Problem-Solving
Specialists work with students in developing
problem-solving strategies and solutions to difficult
problems.
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Workshops
Each semester DSP offers a series of informational
workshops on topics like understanding disabilities and
individual learning styles; improving reading, writing, and
research efficiency; memory strategies; self-advocacy;
computer applications that facilitate learning; and career
or graduate school planning. These workshops are announced
in our newsletters and on signs posted in our office.
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