Disabled Students Program: UC Berkeley

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

What services are offered by DSRP to students with various disabilities?

The following services are offered:

  • Personal Care Assistance and Attendant Training for students with severe physical disabilities
  • Acquisition and Management of Attendants for personal care
  • Financial/Community Resource Management
  • Disability Management
  • Personal/Social Development
  • Employment Readiness (including introduction to Cal Transitions Workability IV)

Based on each student’s disability and goals for independent living, DSRP works with DOR counselors to create objectives with measurable outcomes for each student.

Services are provided in two phases:

Phase 1 is a one year transitional program with students acquiring competencies in the service areas listed above.

Phase 2 includes those students who need the above services on a less intensive basis and who do not need personal care assistance and attendant training.

I am not a client of the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). Do I need to be a (DOR) client?

Yes! The DSRP is a collaborative program between the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) and UC Berkeley and students must be an active DOR client. We recommend you determine your eligibility for DOR services immediately. To start the process contact your local DOR office; for additional information check the DOR website.

Where will I be living at Berkeley?

While you are a part of the DSRP you will be living with other UC Berkeley students in Unit 1 of the Residence Halls (a.k.a. dorms). Rooms occupied by DSRP students are wheelchair accessible, as are the bathrooms. Visit Living at Cal/Unit 1 for more information. Our staff offices are located in Cheney Hall, but our students live in any of the four (4) dormitories, which comprise Unit 1.

I have a power chair. Should I bring it?

Yes! Due the hilly terrain of the UC Berkeley campus and the surrounding area we highly recommend you bring your power wheelchair. In the event your power chair fails you should also bring your manual chair as a backup. Visit our links page for local wheelchair resources.

I have a lift/ramp van. Should I bring it? What about parking?

This is up to you. You can obtain a student parking permit and park in various lots around campus. However, parking on campus and the surrounding community is very limited (and can be expensive). If you plan to move the vehicle during the day it may be hard to find parking spaces, even with a disabled placard. The Bay area is famous for it's excellent and abundant public transportation, so many people do not own private vehicles. For additional information on parking fees, lots, etc., please visit the Parking & Transportation website.

Will I have a private bathroom?

No. Students on each floor in the residence hall use a common bathroom. There is a wheelchair accessible toilet and shower in the bathroom. The residence halls/bathrooms in Unit 1, where the DSRP is located, are co-ed.

I'm taking a science class(es). How do I get lab assistants, note-takers, and readers?

The Disabled Students' Program (DSP) offers services that will allow you to access assistance such as notetakers, readers, etc. Once you have been assigned a DSP Specialist you may speak with him/her about how to obtain those services. Vist the DSP website for more information.

I need help with my personal care. Are there people at Berkeley who do this kind of work?

Yes, there are people in Berkeley who can assist you with your personal care routines. Many U.C. Berkeley students find this type of work gratifying, especially those who are thinking of going into medical school. In addition, there are many members of the Berkeley community who have been working for many years as attendants/providers for persons with disabilities.

What care services are provided during my year as a DSRP student?

Students in the DSRP will have DSRP staff to assist with personal care. Special Assistants (known as S.A.s) provide your care while helping to streamline your routine for maximum safety and efficiency. DSRP students learn the skills to independently manage their own care staff. It is highly recommended each DSRP student obtain In Home Support Services (IHSS), which is county funding for domestic and personal care support staff. IHSS can take up to 6 months to obtain, so it is recommended students begin this process prior to admission (DSRP staff will assist in this process).

DSRP students arrive up to two (2) weeks before the dorms officially open so that staff may learn their routines so there are no delays getting to classes once they begin. This also allows time for your accommodations to be settled.

Ideally, the care you receive during your school year is as follows:

  1. When you arrive S.A.s provide your care.
  2. IHSS provides funding for you to hire your own staff of private caregivers.
  3. DSRP staff helps you hire and train your attendants.
  4. By the end of the fall semester most DSRP students are 80% staffed with care givers
  5. S.A.s provide care as needed with the expectation that the student gain planning skills by scheduling in advance (however, no student is ever left without care when needed)
  6. By the middle of the spring semester DSRP students are usually 100% staffed.
  7. S.A.'s provide as needed care at this point, such as when a caregiver calls in sick, or an unforeseen event occurs.
  8. Staff assist students in preparing for the end of the year by assisting in establishing student housing needs for the future (most DSRP students move into the near by co-operative housing).
  9. DSRP students move into Phase II services, DSRP staff will continue to provide guidance, advice, and advocacy throughout your time at Cal.

What social activities are available to students? Are the activities accessible to persons with disabilities?

There are many activities and social outings available to UC Berkeley students; some are university sponsored, others are not. The DSRP staff will work with you to find out if there are any accessibility issues, and if so, if they can be worked out. There are also activities in the Berkeley community designed for persons with disabilities. The Recreational Sports Facility (RSF) offers a program called Cal STAR. Cal STAR (Sports, Training, And Recreation) was established in 1986 as a recreational sports program for individuals with disabilities. Cal STAR is located at the Recreational Sports Facility (RSF) at UC Berkeley. The program offers a discounted membership to the fitness center and access to many programs, including a free volunteer to assist you during your chosen workout. Cal STAR is open to anyone with a disability. Another local organization is the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP), which provides and facilitates recreation for people with physical disabilities. Free classes include track and field, wheelchair basketball, power soccer, and goal ball. BORP also sponsors outdoor adventure trips such as skiing, rafting, and hiking. For more information on social activities in and around Berkeley, check out Things to Do in Berkeley. See our links page for further information.

There is also a very active Disabled Students Union (DSU) at Berkeley, which coordinates such events as Disability Awareness Week.

What is Independent Living?

Independent Living is a philosophy in which you are in control of what you do, how you do it, when you do it. It is a philosophy that involves you being responsible for your care and needs and not only puts you in control but requires you to participate in directing your life and taking responsibility for your actions. The DSRP staff will help you develop your independent living skills working one to one with you and by developing activities and classes.

Being independent is not easy after living your entire life at home, let alone when you have a disability. Becoming independent can be confusing and stressful. Every individual is...an individual, different, so independence can mean different things for different people. We hope that you will be able to do things to the best of your ability.

The vision at DSRP is that, by the end of the first year, students should have all available services (IHSS, SSI, DOR, Medical, etc.) in place when they leave. Students should have a full staff of caregivers (with backups) and be knowledgeable on how to manage their staff. Being independent with a disability is like running a small business. While this can be difficult, it is a skill that many former DSRP students have found as a benefit when obtaining employment. Even after obtaining a degree from UCB, it is still years before an average student will be in a management position overseeing other workers; DSRP students have this skill after their first year in college.

DSRP students are mandated to participate in the DSRP class. This course occurs once a week and is taught by former DSRP students. This course provides real academic credit and occurs each fall semester. Former students share their experience and guide students through the steps of independence providing assignments and projects, which have real life results to increased independence.

I sometimes get lost on my own can someone go with me to my classes?

On a case-by-case basis DSRP staff may be able to assist you on a short-term basis with getting around the campus and the Berkeley community. The DSRP staff, however, will concentrate on assisting you with developing your own solutions (e.g., directing you to resources such as online maps and hiring attendants).

I've never lived on my own before what is living in the residence hall like?

The residence halls are most likely very different from your home. They are large, with hundreds of students in each building, sharing spaces such as bathrooms, lounges and the dining commons. You will be living on the same floor with both men and women. You will have your own room. Students in the DSRP do not share a room, as they often arrive with a lot of equipment and need the space. The residence halls are a good place to get your start at UC Berkeley. You will have the chance to meet a lot of people and be involved with multiple social activities. Most students regularly attend Hall and floor meetings to decide on dorm rules. Most students purchase a card, which pays for their use of site laundry facilities, as well as meals at the dinning commons across the street. Check out Living at Cal for more information.

I don't own a computer do I need to get one before I come to Berkeley?

We highly recommend you arrive at UC Berkeley with a computer. Students schedule routines with the Special Assistants via computer and access many services on campus via computer. The DSRP staff can inform you of what technical parameters UC Berkeley recommends your computer has and what resources can possibly be tapped to purchase computer equipment. The S.A. office does have a Mac for student use with an adjustable table (should your computer breakdown).

What resources are available if my wheelchair breaks down?

You can contact one of the local wheelchair vendors for repair services. The DSRP staff can assist you with accessing these providers. You will need proof of insurance or be able to privately pay to access providers. Visit our links page for more info.

I've never hired or trained Personal Care Providers before. Can I get help with that?

Yes, the Special Assistants (S.A.s) can assist you with hiring and training your personal care provider(s). This may include various activities from assisting you with developing a schedule to role-playing (e.g. mock interviews) in order to develop your skills. In addition to the S.A.s there is a member of the DSRP staff, the Coordinator, who can assist you with finding appropriate attendants from the community. The Coordinator can also help you navigate through the paperwork and bureaucracy involved with In Home Support Services, a county program which helps pay for attendant care.

Are Personal Care Providers allowed to live with me in my Residence Hall (dorm) room?

No. Personal Care Providers may come to your room as a visitor and assist you for the length of time necessary to complete your routines. However, they cannot live with you.

I do not have a lot of money to pay Personal Care Providers (Attendants). How can I pay for their assistance?

The In-Home Supportive Services/Personal Care Services (IHSS/PCSP) Program is a county run program which provides monies so you may pay personal care providers to do chores/routines for you. You must be receiving Supplemental Social Income (SSI) to obtain these services. If you are not currently receiving SSI we recommend you contact SSI as soon as possible to determine your eligibility. Check out the SSI website for more information. The Coordinator can assist you with applying for IHSS and finding providers.

At home I have my own exercise equipment should I bring it with me?

On a case-by-case basis the DSPR staff can help you determine the answer. It can depend on the size of the equipment and we would also determine if the equipment were available on campus at the The Recreation Sports Facility (RSF). There is also an exercise room in the student services centers in the basement of the Unit 1 dormitories.

I need medical supplies and equipment. Are there places close to campus where I can purchase medical supplies and equipment?

Yes, there are local providers in the area where you can purchase your medical supplies and equipment. The University Health Services (the TANG Center) may also be able to assist you with identifying the correct supplies/equipment (see or links page for resources). Many students also have supplies mailed to them; there is a mailroom in the dorms.

At home there is little or no public transportation. Is there transportation available at UC Berkeley and in the area?

There are several transportation options available to you. BearTransit, UC Berkeley's shuttle system, provides convenient transportation between points on campus, Downtown Berkeley BART, parking lots, Clark Kerr campus, the Hill area, residence halls, Richmond Field Station, and north and south sides of campus. Shuttles traveling the campus perimeter are free for students with a current campus ID.

Also available are local transit options such as AC Transit, which operates bus lines in Alameda County and to San Francisco. The BART rail system can also take you to many parts of the greater Bay Area. If more specialized transportation is needed, the DSRP staff can assist you with applying for Paratransit services, a limited door-to-door transportation service (see our links page for more recourses).

The Campus Access Guide is an excellent resource for local transportation options and accessibility maps (see the access maps section of this site).

I have another disability (e.g. learning disability). Are there services for people with such disabilities at UC Berkeley?

Yes. The Disabled Students Program (DSP) will assign you to a Disability Specialist that can assist you in determining appropriate accommodations. The dorms also have a student-learning center down stairs.

What will it be like for me after my year in the DSRP is ended?

Most DSRP students move into the nearby co-op housing at the end of the spring semester. They often take one or two summer classes to balance their reduced course load. Post-DSRP students may choose to use Phase II services such as guidance with housing, attendant referral, vocational placement, and independent living skills acquisition. Phase II students with physical disabilities do not receive personal care.

Berkeley residents are very active socially and politically. There are many services and organization in the area to suit your needs. Please see the City of Berkeley website for information and resources available for persons with disabilities in Berkeley.

 


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