Campus Partners

Overview

The Disabled Students' Program (DSP) at UC Berkeley provides a wide range of services, including federal and state legally mandated services and accommodations for eligible students with verified disabilities, non-mandated services, and exam proctoring services for faculty.

Services for students are individually designed, and are based on students' individual needs as identified by their Disability Specialist.

Academic Advising

Students are urged to contact academic advisors in their colleges or within their majors as soon as possible after arrival. Our staff members are not students’ academic advisors, however DSP Specialists can help students with some academic decisions (i.e., deciding how many courses to take, and in what combinations). Other DSP services may include consultation with faculty members about disability-related accommodations and recommendations to the student's department.

Academic Accommodations

Academic accommodations are determined by an Individual assessment of each student. Disability specialists base their recommendations on students’ particular disabilities, disability-related learning needs, and the academic requirements of a course. DSP Specialists may write letters to instructors specifying the required accommodations.

Alternative Media

DSP students who have been approved by their DSP Specialists for alternative media academic accommodations (print materials to electronic materials or large print or Braille) are served by our staff in the Alternative Media Center in 23 Wheeler Hall. Students who have been approved for alt media services need to follow the Guidelines governing this service when submitting their requests. If you have been approved for this accommodation be sure to read and learn our Alternative Media Guidelines governing this service. If you have any question about alt media services, please contact our Alt Media Liaison or ask your DSP Specialist.

Auxiliary Services

DSP provides funding for a range of Auxiliary Services that students may need in order to offset the effects of their disabilities. At the beginning of each semester, students meet with their Specialists to determine which services will be necessary for particular courses. Students themselves have the responsibility for locating auxiliary service providers, however the student’s DSP specialist and staff members shall assist when appropriate. Auxiliary services may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Notetakers*, readers, sign language interpreters, real-time captioning, assistive listening devices and alternative media. 

*Please read the Notetaking Procedures, which contains important time sensitive dates to enable DSP to provide your classnotes as soon as possible.

Campus Access Services

Campus Access Services provides information and assistance to the campus community and individuals with disabilities who require access to participate in University-sponsored non-course related programs or activities. Make online requests for Communication Services (Sign Language Interpreting and Real-Time Captioning) and Mobility Accommodations. (See also Accessible Off-Campus Events.)

DSP Student Technology Grant

DSP staff members can provide information about the Technology Grant, which is a financial aid grant administered by DSP to assist eligible students with disability-related equipment not covered by other funding sources or already available on campus.

Financial Advising

DSP staff members assist students in informing the Financial Aid Office about any disability specific circumstances that may affect their eligibility for Student Financial Aid. These circumstances may include the following: 1) inability to work while attending school, 2) taking reduced course loads, 3) disability-related extra expenses (for example, medical or therapy expenses, attendant care or the cost of testing to determine the nature of a student’s disabilities), and needing additional semesters to graduate. DSP's Financial Specialist can explain eligibility for disability benefit programs such as Social Security.

Housing Services

If your plans include living in the UC residence halls, you may have a disability-related need for housing accommodations, such as a single room or wheelchair access. Housing and Dining Services allots a certain number of spaces within the residence halls to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities. In order to request the use of one of the allotted spaces, you must provide DSP with documentation of your disability-related need for special housing

Priority Enrollment (CalCentral)

Students with disabilities receive priority enrollment so that you are able to predict your course schedule in advance and are able to provide DSP with advance notification of your accommodation and auxiliary service needs. Don't miss this important opportunity to inform DSP as soon as possible about your accommodation and auxiliary service needs. Although DSP students receive priority in enrolling in classes, that does not guarantee enrollment into any particular course (regardless of DSP status or Priority Registration), so please plan your schedules carefully.

Reduced Tuition for Part Time Enrollment

UC Policy requires that students be enrolled full-time. Under certain circumstances, students may be allowed by their college to enroll in a reduced course load.  However, that does NOT grant reduced tuition & fees.
Under very limited situations (health, full-time employment, etc.) students may be approved for reduced tuition and a reduced course of study by their college. In cases of health, students must request approval for a reduced course of study both by the Disabled Students' Program AND by their college. Once both approvals are in place, students will be assessed tuition & fees as follows:

  • 50% Tuition
  • 100% Campus Fee, Class Pass, Health Insurance
  • 50% of Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition, if applicable

Steps to Request Reduced Tuition:

  1. Meet with your DSP Specialist to discuss your reduced tuition request. Reduced tuition is NOT automatically granted and must be requested each semester.
  2. Reduced tuition must be requested and approved before the add/drop deadline. Please review the add/drop deadlines by visiting the Office of the Registrar's website.

Enrollment limits: Approved undergraduate students may enroll for two courses or fewer per semester. Approved graduate students may enroll for one-half or less of the regular course load stipulated in Academic Senate Regulation 702.
Students should consult the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office as their aid package may be reduced due to reduced enrollment and fees.
Graduate students must also seek approval from their home department as not all graduate programs will qualify and reduction in fees will also affect GSI/GSR appointments and fee remissions.  https://registrar.berkeley.edu/tuition-fees-residency/tuition-fees

Some other useful campus links:

Disability Access and Compliance
Helps you resolve campus discrimination issues. Contact them for more info.
Disability Studies Department
The Disability Studies department started the Disability Studies minor. Learn about our history and culture, and connect with scholars in the Disability Studies field.
Oral History Project
UC Berkeley is where it all started! The ongoing project is located in the Bancroft Library, and chronicles the Disability Rights Movement
Scholarship Connection
UC Berkeley's clearinghouse for information on scholarships that are funded outside of the university.
Office of Undergraduate Research
Why do research? Find out here, and see the schedule of workshops: "How to get started in undergraduate research" and "Writing a research proposal."

Classes

Some useful campus classes and academic programs:

Access & Self-Advocacy: An Intro to UC Berkeley for Students with Disabilities

English 198; Section 11

Course Number: 21674

Contact hyaden@berkeley.edu for more information

UGBA 135 - Personal Financial Management

Learn how to manage your money and increase your personal financial power, and earn 2 credits (P/NP). Ask your Specialist for details on the next class.

Disability Studies

Disability Studies provides leadership and training for students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Freshman and Sophomore Seminars

Freshman and Sophomore Seminars allow you to explore mutual interests with a faculty member. Become an active member of the UC Berkeley intellectual community.