Student FAQs

Student Frequently Asked Questions

American Sign Language (ASL) FAQs for Instructors

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How do I access accommodation information in AIM?

Accessing Accommodation Information in AIM

1. Faculty and Instructors must go to the AIM Instructor log-in page and log in with your Berkeley CalNet ID and Passphrase.

Screenshot of AIM landing page

2. After an Instructor reads...

Can a student with an ASL Interpreting accommodation participate in Zoom group work/breakout rooms?

Yes, the student is able to participate in group work. When a class is held in-person, an ASL Interpreter is present and often sits with the group in order to hear the speakers clearly. Remote classes are handled similarly in that the interpreter will be present in the same breakout room/group component as the student.

We encourage students to discuss their accommodations with their professors, and they may reach out to you with what works best for them in your particular class.

How will I know if an ASL Interpreter is present in my Zoom meeting?

The ASL Interpreter will be named “Interpreter” in your Zoom participant list.

What are the ASL Interpreting Best Practices for courses presented via Zoom?

Zoom lectures need to end at the scheduled end time, as both the students and the interpreters may have other obligations immediately following your class.

Speak clearly, in a normal tone, and at a moderate rate. Do not rush through a lecture. If the interpreter does not understand or hear what was said, the interpreter may communicate with the instructor through the Zoom chat window. Please monitor your chat window for questions or requests from the interpreter.

...

How do I assign an ASL Interpreter to a Zoom breakout room?

When assigning an ASL Interpreter to the student during breakout sessions, please look for the Interpreter as a participant (Interpreter). Please ensure the Interpreter is in the same breakout room as the student receiving the accommodation.

Breakout Room Instructions

Do I need to do anything differently when an ASL Interpreter is present for an in-person class?

When using an interpreter to speak with a person who is D/deaf or hard of hearing, remember to speak directly to the person, not to the interpreter. The interpreter is not part of the conversation and is not permitted to voice personal opinions or enter into the conversation.

Face the person who is D/deaf or hard of hearing and speak to them in a normal manner. Do not make comments to the interpreter that you do not intend to have interpreted to the D/deaf or hard-of-hearing person, even if the person...

Where will the interpreter stand?

The interpreter will generally stand near the speaker so the student can pick up on facial expressions and body language from the speaker.

American Sign Language (ASL) FAQs for Students

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How do I request Services through AIM?

Each semester you must submit your requests in the DSP portal (AIM). It is best to request services as soon as you are registered so there is no delay in services.

Note: These instructions are also available in DOCX and PDF...

How will I receive ASL Interpreting services remotely?

A video communication service is used for ASL interpreting when a class is held remotely via Zoom. ASL interpreting will be provided virtually through a URL link. Students will be provided the URL link prior to class beginning.

Will I have the same ASL Interpreter for all of my classes?

Interpreters will be scheduled based on logistics and students’ schedules. For classes that are more than an hour in length or with complex content, two interpreters will be assigned. They will switch every 15-20 minutes.

Proctoring

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Can I choose my exam location?

The seat and its location is assigned based on the accommodation condition and the space availability.

Does DSP Proctoring provide blue books/papers or other exam materials?

DSP Proctoring does not provide green books, scantrons, calculators, or any other exam materials. Students are responsible for bringing their own exam materials, including scratch paper, erasers, pencils, and pens. Please bring all required material on the day of your exam.

Do I need to fill out a request for each individual exam?

Yes, please make a request for each quiz, midterm and final exam you would like to take with DSP Proctoring.

How can I cancel and reschedule the request?

Exams can be canceled via your DSP Student Portal. Select Proctoring on the left-hand side. Select the exam you would like to cancel or reschedule. After you cancel your exam request, have your instructor email proctoring@berkeley.edu with written permission to reschedule your exam.

What if my exam is in conflict with another class or another exam?

It is your responsibility to communicate directly with your instructors for all exams.

You must reconcile any exam conflicts with your instructors before you submit any exam requests with DSP Proctoring.

You must also check your final exam schedule in CalCentral at the beginning of the semester to make sure there are no conflicts with other overlapping exams due to extended-time accommodations. If there are such conflicts, you must reconcile those with your instructors before you submit...

Can I make a proctoring request on the exam day? How late can I make a request for proctoring?

You are required to make a proctoring request at least 1 week before quizzes and midterms and 2 weeks before final exams.

My class is online. Can I request an online proctoring service?

DSP Proctoring does not proctor online/bCourse exams. Please speak with your DSP Specialist and instructor on how best to proceed with online exams.

How do I request proctoring services for exams?

Please log on to the DSP Student Portal. Click on the Proctoring tab on the left-hand side. Select the class from the drop-down menut that you would like to request an exam for and fill out the required information.

For more information on how to request proctoring services for your exam click on the following link: https://...

Can I provide DSP exam accommodations myself?

Yes, so long as each student is provided with their individual accommodations. If you have any questions about specific accommodations for any student, please contact the student’s Disability Specialist for assistance.

Where can I get more information about disability accommodations?

The Disabled Students' Program has an online manual for faculty, "Teaching Students with Disabilities." For more general information, consult the Disabled Students' Program website.

Can I arrange proctoring online?

Yes. Please visit our online request page for information on the online submission process.

What if I have questions about the accommodation letter?

Letters of accommodation are online; there is a faculty login page that will give you access to the information. Please contact the Disabled Students' Program Specialist, 642-0518, who signed the letter or check the DSP FAQ. The main Berkeley policy addressing academic accommodations is the Campus Policy for Accommodating the Academic Needs of Students with Disabilities.

What advice can I give my students about their responsibility in the process?

The responsibility of students with disabilities in the exam accommodation process is outlined in "Exam Preparation Tips for Students with Disabilities Using the Campus Proctoring Service". It explains their role in planning for accommodations, securing assistants and equipment they may need, and how the centralized campus proctoring program works.

How far ahead must I request proctoring assistance?

Requests for midterms should be made two weeks prior to the regularly scheduled exam. For final exams requests should be made before our fall and spring deadline. Our set Final exam deadlines are: Nov. 1 for Fall Semester and April 2 for Spring Semester.

My department doesn't have resources to provide proctoring. What do I do next?

You (not the student) may contact the Campus Proctoring Service (643-4691, proctoring@berkeley.edu) or make an online request, to arrange for centralized proctoring and space for administering the exam. You inform the student where and when to report.

Will someone from the campus proctoring service pick up and drop off the exam?

No. Exams need to be delivered to and picked up from 414 MLK Jr. Building by you or a person you designate. It may be possible to make alternate arrangements for the testing site, pickup, and delivery by calling 510-643-4691.

Donations

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Career Services Support

Support internship and career opportunities for students with disabilities. Gifts will support travel, business attire, assistive technology, and more. Gifts of any size are welcome. A gift of $1000 would allow a student to participate in a summer internship program.

Disability Awareness Month

Each October, we sponsor special programming to heighten disability awareness. This year’s activities included a showcase for artists with disabilities and a project expo with EnableTech —where campus makers met students with disabilities to brainstorm technological solutions. A gift of $500 or more would allow us to expand the range of programming for this annual event.

Mental Health Services

The majority of our students have a primary or secondary mental health disability. Many universities offer specialized counseling and services for students with mental health disabilities. We aim to add a dedicated counselor to DSP focused on the unique needs of these students, to teach disability management strategies, and provide support for navigating and succeeding at Cal. A gift of approximately $225,000 could support a counselor position for one year.

Technology Grants and Services

DSP provides grants twice a year to support the technology needs of students with disabilities and to expand access to assistive technologies. Each semester we have more applications for assistance than we have funds to provide. A new assistive technology specialist would provide evaluations and technology training to expand access and improve retention for students with disabilities. A gift of any size would allow us to provide more technology grants for students with needs. A gift of approximately $175,000 could support a new assistive technology specialist...

Specialized Autism Spectrum Services

We are building a program to support success for students on the autism spectrum. In the past five years, the number of these students seeking DSP services increased nearly tenfold. We expect this demand to continue growing, so we aspire to add residential support, a full-time executive functioning coach, and a computer lab to our offerings. While similar programs at other universities charge a fee, we intend to raise private support for these additional services and provide them at no cost to all students. A gift of approximately $125,000 could support a full-...

Disability Cultural Community Center

Our Cal disability community has been advocating for decades for the creation of a uniquely accessible community space for the disability community. Our new Disability Cultural Center will open this fall. The Center will provide a welcoming and fully accessible space for the disability community, will house services for students, host disability focused events, and house exhibits and honor our alumnus’ history of disability activism. Our Center Coordinator will nurture leadership development, activism and self advocacy, and contribute to creating a more inclusive campus climate...

Communication Services

Including CART and American Sign Language (ASL)

Captioned Media FAQs for Instructors

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How long does it take to get media captioned?

For shorter videos of ten minutes or less, please allow 10 business days. For longer videos, please allow 15 business days. For last-minute media captioning requests, please submit your request via the DSP Portal (AIM) and indicate your desired turnaround time. Please plan accordingly. If videos are not captioned, they may not be shown in class or be required to view outside of class time.

Is a transcript of a video sufficient?

If the media has audio and video, it needs to have professional captions. A transcript is not sufficient to meet the captioned Media accommodation.

Where can I go to find an already captioned version of the film/video I want to play?

Media Resource Center (MRC)

DSP-Captioning YouTube account

DCMP Video Archives

Kanopy Streaming Service

**If you are unsure whether a video has proper captioning, please submit your media to the Captioned Media department for review via the DSP portal (...

How do I get my media captioned?

Submit captioning requests to DSP Captioning via the DSP portal (AIM)(link is external). This includes all media including, but not limited to, bCourses videos, video and voiceover content, narrated embedded PowerPoint videos, videos listed on your syllabus, YouTube, TED Talks, Zoom lectures...

What is AIM?

AIM, the Accessible Information Management System, is a web-based database system that provides a means for DSP to communicate and interact with faculty, staff, and disabled students in one robust platform. It’s also fully integrated with Berkeley Student Information System (SIS/Cal Central) making coordination of services for students easier.

For further information, please visit DSP's Accessible Information Management Sytem (AIM) page.

What is the difference between My Media and Media Gallery?

My Media is the place on bCourses where all of your recordings and Zoom lectures are uploaded and housed. All of this content is unique and viewable only to you.

Media Gallery is for videos that are viewable by those with access to the bCourses site.

...

How do I share a captioned video or other captioned media with my students through bCourses/Kaltura?

You can choose to share your captioned media with all of your students by placing it in your Media Gallery, or you may keep it private in your My Media folder on bCourses. Here's how to share a video from your My Media folder on bCourses with your students: Berkeley Service Now How to Share My Media

For further...

How do I submit a video to AIM for captioning?

1. Log into AIM

2. Click the “Deaf and Hard of Hearing” tab on the left side.

The Views and Tools Tab opens to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Tab

3...

What if the media I plan to use is from YouTube?

There are two options to have YouTube media captioned: Submit YouTube media and request captioning through the DSP portal AIM. Submit public and unlisted YouTube links via bCourses Submit YouTube media and request captioning through AIM

If the material is on YouTube, you should check to see if it’s appropriately captioned. If...

Autism Spectrum Disorder

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How do I know if a student in my class has autism?

Generally speaking, knowing whether or not a student has autism in your class is not necessary in order to implement supportive communication and teaching strategies that could potentially benefit all students in your course. Examples of such strategies can include designing a course syllabus that is structured with explicit information about course objectives, assignment breakdowns, office hours, and further opportunities for progress monitoring support. Offering visual content such as powerpoint presentations to all students and/or recordings of direct instruction can make a...

What is the best way to communicate with a student who discloses an autism identity?

The student is the best person to answer this question, as every student has their individual communication preferences. In general, direct, written communication has shown to be effective. It is common for students who have autism to identify as visual learners over auditory learners , so providing visual notes, structured outlines, checklists and timelines can be really effective for supportive communication. When meeting 1:1 with a student, writing down key takeaways from your discussion and sharing them with the student can ensure that the student walks away with clear...

A student who has disclosed an autism diagnosis is demonstrating unique behaviors in class. How do I learn more about the nature of these behaviors and initiate an open dialogue with the student about them?

As a general guideline, when communicating with a student with autism, it is important to utilize concise and direct language; try to avoid using figurative language or sarcasm. If a behavior is observed that a faculty or staff member has questions or concerns about, it is recommended to first meet with the student 1:1 to talk about the observed behavior. This meeting should occur before or after class and/or during office hours if accessible. Please keep in mind that observed behaviors could be a general misinterpretation or a result of a specific manifestation of disability, so...

A student with autism has communicated to our GSI that they are having trouble finding lab partners and working collaboratively in group settings. What can they do to support them?

Autism diagnoses are often characterized by social and communication deficits. These barriers can make it very challenging for students to engage in the process of finding partners and to communicate effectively when working in pairs or small groups. It can be helpful to select student groups ahead of time to avoid the potential challenge of group outreach and matching. Another suggestion would be to meet with the student 1:1 to outline the components of a given lab or project and to identify portions of the assignment that the student can best showcase and contribute their...

How do I become an ally for autistic students on campus?

With the projected growing population of neurodiverse students entering 4 year universities in the next decade, it is advantageous for campus communities to design a culture that embraces and showcases neurodiversity acceptance and inclusion. The DSP Autism Services Program, Spectrum Connect, offers a training program for staff, faculty and allies to learn more about autism and best practices for accessibility on campus. We are seeking to build a community of faculty & staff that can act as advocates and educators for neurodivergent students. For more information about department...

Faculty

Frequently Asked DSP Questions from Faculty

Introduction

There are more than 3500 students with disabilities at UC Berkeley today including undergraduates and graduate students. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, our students with disabilities have a right to full access to all of UC Berkeley’s academic environments. 

The Disabled Students’ Program is the campus department that has the responsibility of determining which accommodations, services, and adjustments each student needs to address barriers in the academic environment.  We do this by reviewing medical, psychological, and educational documentation and interviewing the student regarding their past educational experiences.

If a requested accommodation alters an objective or standard of your course, then it may not be a reasonable accommodation. 

For Example:

  • If a student with a vision impairment is taking a language course that requires manually producing the written language with its characters, a request to use a word processor and type the words would most likely not be a reasonable accommodation. 
  • If a student in a PE course missed enough foundational skills classes and there is no way to make up for the missed skill practice, additional absences may not be reasonable.
  • If you are concerned that an accommodation request is not reasonable in your course, please contact the DSP specialist who sent the accommodation letter right away.  Please do NOT discuss your concerns with the student.
  • We hope that the information below answers many of your questions about DSP and accommodating students with disabilities.  If you have additional questions, feel free to contact any Disability Specialist or the DSP Director at 

    carmenvarela@berkeley.edu.  Contact for specific service areas are below.

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Who is responsible for ensuring accessibility standards are met? What resources and training are available for faculty?

Faculty are responsible for making their own websites accessible and providing accommodations for students with disabilities in an online course. There are many campus resources to assist faculty with this.

Resources for building accessible websites can be found here: https://webaccess.berkeley.edu/home

Resources for online instruction: ...

There’s been a lot of discussion about online access recently. Can you explain the difference between the accessibility standard for websites and accommodations for online classes?

UC Berkeley is required to ensure that anything posted in public forums (for example, University websites or YouTube Channels) is fully accessible to persons with disabilities and can be accessed using assistive technology ( i.e. screen readers) and also includes video captions. Any information that is posted in your official university capacity that is visible to any member of the public must meet this accessibility standard.

Online courses or websites that are only accessible to registered students must provide accommodations as described in...

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A notetaker has reached out to me and asked for permission to use their laptop. I do not allow students to use technology in class. What should I do?

Some DSP students have specific accommodations to receive typewritten notes from a student notetaker in their class. If this is the case, the notetaker should be allowed to use their laptop in the classroom as long as they have identified themselves to you. A DSP specialist will reach out to you to confirm the accommodation.

In my classroom, we often discuss sensitive topics/information. How do I handle this?

In this case, it’s best to reach out to the student's Disability Specialist to discuss your concerns and make a plan. Please do not discuss your concerns with your student. A common solution is to allow the student to record any lecture-based material, but turn the recording off during discussion of sensitive topics.

A student in my class has an audio recording accommodation, but I don’t allow recording.

All DSP students who are approved to audio record sign an Audio Recording Agreement. The agreement states that they acknowledge the recording is the intellectual property of the instructor and that they will not distribute the recording. You may request a copy of this from the students’ assigned Disability Specialist. If you still have concerns about audio recording in your class, please contact the Disability Specialist who signed the letter of accommodation.

A student in my class says they are not receiving notes. What should I do?

Instruct the student to contact dspnotes@berkeley.edu, and we will follow up with the student.

A student in my class has an accommodation to receive notes. Am I required to find the student a notetaker?

No action is required on your part. DSP’s Note Taking office will coordinate recruitment of notetakers and delivery of notes to the student. In certain cases, DSP may contact you directly for assistance in recruiting a notetaker.

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My student needs an alternative format of my exam. What do I do?

If you are a faculty member or GSI who needs to convert an exam into an alternative format, please send an email to dspamc@berkeley.edu in which you share with us the following information:

Student name

Student ID

Class name

Professor name

CCN

Exam date

In your email, you can share with us your...

How can I check if the documents that I am using in my class are accessible to students who are blind or who use assistive technology?

Use the accessibility checker for the format of your document.

Google Docs: Use the GrackleDocs Add-on

PDF Documents: Adobe Acrobat Pro Accessibility Checker and the Make Accessible Action Wizard

MS Word Documents: ...

How can I create accessible materials for my class?

OCR Scanners

Before you scan a document for use in your class, first check if the document is already available electronically through one of the Library’s subscriptions. If the book is in the public domain, you can also check for electronic copies at Project Gutenberg

If you cannot locate an electronic version of a text and...

A student in my class receives alternative media. What do I do?

If you know that a student is registered with the Disabled Students Program, please feel free to contact the Alternative Media Unit of DSP for help.

It is best practice to create an accessible version of your course before you are notified that a student has an accommodation. See the previous question for information about how to do that.

How can I prepare my classes so that they are accessible to students who use alternative media (braille, large print, e-Text)?

Adopt your textbooks and prepare your course reader before the Accommodation Deadline

If you are using a print shop for a course reader, retain a digital copy of the course reader files. DSP may need to request the digital version of your course reader for conversion purposes.

Create accessible versions of class documents, syllabi, handouts, and exams....

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Why do students receive exam accommodations?

Exam accommodations are a more common accommodation because they accommodate students with many different types of disabilities. Some examples include: students with learning disabilities or physical disabilities who use assistive technologies may need additional time to read exam questions and produce responses; students with learning disabilities that impact processing speeds may need more time to process information; students with attention deficits may need both additional time and a reduced distraction environment.

Can I relocate students during an exam?

Generally, no. This can be very disruptive to students who need exam accommodations. The exception would be if the chosen space was no longer appropriate because of unanticipated background noise or disruptions.

Can I refuse a disability-related request for a make-up exam and instead drop the exam and add the points to a future exam? (sometimes known as clobber policies)

Faculty may offer this as an option to students. However, if the student has a documented disability-related need for a make-up exam as verified by the Disability Specialist, then the student has a right to take a make-up exam. The exam may be an alternate exam of the same format and difficulty as the original exam. The faculty member may also choose to administer the same exam and have the student sign an academic honesty agreement.

Can DSP Proctoring proctor exams during RRR week?

University policy prohibits administering any final assessments during RRR week. For further clarification, please consult the Committee on Courses of Instruction (COCI) Handbook, section 2.1.12 Reading, Review, and Recitation (RRR) Week Guidelines

Will DSP Proctoring notify me of my DSP student's proctoring details?

When a student's exam is approved you will receive an email thread notifying you of your students' scheduled exams, including all relevant details. You will receive a separate email for each student in one email thread.

Can DSP Proctoring proctor online exams?

We are unable to proctor online exams at this time. For assistance with online exams, please contact Digital Learning Services or email: bcourseshelp@berkeley.edu

Can DSP Proctoring proctor exams at night?

Due to staffing considerations, we are unable to proctor evening exams. All regular-semester exams must end by 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. All final exams must end no later than 6 pm. Please call our office at (510) 643-4691 or email proctoring@berkeley.edu to discuss your needs.

How do I request proctoring services for exams?

To request proctoring services for your class, log in to your DSP Faculty Portal and click on the Proctoring module on the left side of the page. Click on the Testing Agreement and answer all questions in that form. Once you have submitted the testing agreement, students will be responsible for scheduling their own exams. Space is limited and we may not be able to seat all your students. We will give priority to students with complex accommodations...

What measures are taken to promote academic integrity?

DSP Proctoring takes academic integrity very seriously. All of our proctors are well trained and are constantly monitoring exams in our testing locations. Students must show a photo ID when they arrive and agree to all conditions before an exam begins. Cell phones and smart watches must be turned off in front of the proctor and stowed away for the duration of the exam. Students are asked to sign in/out when using the bathroom, and proctors are continually walking the floor to deter any potential for cheating. Any suspicious activity is logged and reported to the instructor...

If a student is late to their exam, do they receive their full amount of time?

If a student is late for their exam, they will not be granted any additional time. If they are more than 30 minutes late, they will not be allowed to start their exam unless we get approval from the instructor. We will call the contact number submitted on the proctoring request form for approval.

If a student misses their exam, can they reschedule with DSP Proctoring?

If an instructor would like us to reschedule a student’s exam, please email our office at proctoring@berkeley.edu. We will be happy to reschedule the exam at the instructor’s request. Please do not have students contact us directly to reschedule an exam. Exams can only be scheduled with faculty approval.

How can I communicate changes or errors in the exam to my students while they are taking their exam with DSP Proctoring?

To communicate any changes to your exam while the exam is taking place, please call the DSP Proctoring Center at (510) 643-4691. We will notify your students of the changes. Please keep in mind that your students may be located in different buildings, and reaching all of your students may take time.

When can I pick up completed exams from the DSP Proctoring office?

Exams must be picked up in person in our office beginning at 8:30 am the day after the exam. Pick-up hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

Do I need to fill out a new request for each individual exam?

Faculty need to submit a testing agreement for each class for which they are requesting exams. Once the testing agreement is submitted, students will be responsible for requesting and scheduling their own exams through their DSP Student Portal.

When should I drop off exams to the DSP Proctoring office?

Exams must be delivered to us in one of the following ways:

1.) Email the exam in an attachment to proctoring@berkeley.edu no later than 4:30 PM 2 BUSINESS DAYS prior to the date of the exam. Please include the Department and course number in the subject line.

2.) Upload exams through your Faculty Portal no later than 4:30 PM 2 BUSINESS DAYS prior to the date of the exam.

3.)Hand-delivered in person at the Proctoring Center no later than 4:30 pm one business day before the...

Can students in DSP take their exam at a different day and/or time than the class?

Students can only schedule their exams on the dates entered by the instructor in the Testing Agreement. However, the system will allow students to schedule their exams at any time between the hours of 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM for regular-semester exams. If you want your students to schedule their exams at a specific time it is your responsibility to notify your students to schedule their exams at the time determined by you.

For final exams, students are restricted to...

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Can I send an email to all of my DSP students?

Yes, please be sure to use bcc to not violate the privacy of your DSP students.

As I’m planning my class, is there anything I can do to make my class more accessible so students require fewer accommodations to participate in my class?

We’re so glad you asked! The more accessible your class is for students with disabilities, the fewer accommodations students will require to participate in your class. As an additional benefit, when your class is more accessible for students with disabilities, it will be more accessible for students without disabilities, too!

The paradigm of Universal Design recognizes that disability is just one facet of an individual’s identity and that disability is neither negative nor an inherent barrier to access. Universal Design asks us to consider for...

Can I, instead of offering a make-up exam, require the student to roll the points for the missed exam into future exams?

Faculty may offer this as an option to students. However, if the student has a documented disability-related need for a make-up exam as verified by the Disability Specialist, then the student has a right to take a make-up exam. The exam may be an alternate exam of the same format and difficulty as the original exam. The faculty member may also choose to administer the same exam and have the student sign an academic honesty agreement.

A DSP student has an accommodation to use a laptop, and I do not allow laptops in my classroom.

Some students use assistive technology on a laptop to assist them with note taking. If a DSP student has an accommodation for the use of a laptop for disability-related reasons, please allow the DSP student to use their laptop. Students should not be told where to sit in the classroom.

In your syllabus, please state that students who need a laptop should contact the instructor to request an exception. In this way, you can avoid specifically singling out students with disabilities.

Is it okay for me to give the student a grade of Incomplete and ask them to take the final exam with next semester’s class?

The day of my final exam, a student in my class had a disability-related absence. The student now wants me to provide them with a make-up exam, which their accommodation letter allows for. Is it okay for me to give the student a grade of Incomplete and ask them to take the final exam with next semester’s class?

If the student is in good standing in your class at the time of the missed final, you can offer the student the option of an incomplete grade to allow them to take a make-up exam when they are well enough to do so. However, you cannot require a student to wait a full semester to take the final exam with another class if the student requests to take the exam earlier. In most cases, if a student has missed an exam due to a flare in the impact of their disability, the student will be able to take the exam within days of the flare subsiding. If this is the case, it would not...

The location of my classroom was changed to accommodate a student with a disability. How could a change of classroom location serve as a disability accommodation?

Sometimes a student with disabilities may need to have a classroom location changed in order to have full access to your course. Most frequently, this is because a classroom was not fully accessible for a student who is using a wheelchair for mobility, because the building is in a campus location that the student has significant difficulty physically travelling to and from because of the impact of their disability, or because the classroom lacks the technology needed for real-time captioning. If you have any concerns about the change, please contact a DSP Disability Specialist...

A student in my class is requesting an extension on their homework assignment, but their accommodation letter doesn’t say how many additional days I should allow them. How do I know how much additional time to provide?

Guidance on implementing assignment extension accommodations

Allowance for extensions on take-home assignments may be needed to address the impact of some student's disabilities. Students who may need this accommodation include students who take longer to produce assignments because they use assistive technology (for example, speech to text) or students who have periodic flares of illness that may sometimes interfere with meeting deadlines.

Students with an assignment extension accommodation must communicate the need for an extension on each assignment unless otherwise...

Are there ways for students to receive approval of or support for academic accommodations other than through DSP?

Yes. Students may request accommodations through other processes and offices, including the Title IX office, Path to Care, and the Center for Support and Intervention. For questions about accommodations for reasons other than disability (for example, Title IX accommodations), please reach out to the referring office with questions. More information is available at Academic Accommodations Hub

How far in advance must students with disabilities inform an instructor about needed accommodations?

Students who work with DSP are strongly urged to request and send letters of accommodation as soon as they register for a course or become eligible for accommodations. However, the University must make every effort to accommodate students, regardless of the timing of the notice of a student's need for accommodations. DSP may be able to assist with late requests. Please contact the Disability Specialist who sent the student’s accommodation letter if you need assistance.

If I receive a late accommodation letter, do I need to accommodate for past weeks in the semester?

Accommodations are not retroactive, so you are not responsible for provision of accommodations prior to the date that the accommodation letter is issued. You do have the discretion to retroactively accommodate a student if you would like to. For instance, if a student becomes active in DSP in the middle of the semester and their accommodation letter requires flexibility with assignment deadlines, you have the discretion to accept their late work from earlier in the semester. However, you are not required to do so. If you have any concerns about the...

Are students required to speak with faculty to initiate accommodations?

We do encourage students to have a conversation with their instructors about their accommodations. These conversations can be helpful for both parties. DSP Disability Specialists can also help facilitate these conversations and assist faculty with setting up an agreement with students about accommodations (for example, Disability Specialists can help instructors and students determine the parameters for acceptable numbers of absences or timelines for assignment extensions). However, we cannot require students to have a conversation about their accommodations with their...

What if I object to a recommendation in DSP's letter of accommodation?

Please contact the Disability Specialist who sent the accommodation letter to resolve any logistical or other concerns you may have. The Disability Specialists know that their recommendations can occasionally inadvertently compromise the purposes or standards of a class, and they are ready to discuss such concerns with you. You are not obligated to fundamentally alter the objectives of your course.

When DSP and an instructor disagree regarding the appropriateness of an accommodation for a particular course, the...

Why doesn’t my student’s accommodation letter state what their disability is? How can I verify that their accommodation request in my class is related to their disability? Can I request medical documentation from a student with DSP accommodations?

Students with disabilities have a right to privacy regarding their medical diagnoses and medical documentation. For this reason, we ask faculty not to request medical documentation from students with disabilities. If you feel that it is necessary to verify that a student’s request is disability related, you can contact the student’s assigned Disability Specialist. The Disability Specialist can review the student’s documentation on file and confirm whether there is a disability-related need for an absence, assignment extension, or other...

Why do we receive late letters of accommodation? Can you set a deadline for students to apply for accommodations each semester?

DSP does not have a deadline by which students can apply for services. Students can be diagnosed with or acquire disabilities at any time, and the process of obtaining disability documentation can also take time. Sometimes students who already have a disability identity will wait to seek services until they have first tried participating at Berkeley without formal accommodations. Students may also find that the impact of their disability has changed during the semester and that they need additional support in accessing their program of study due...

What if a student says that they have a disability, but I have not received a letter of accommodation from DSP?

We ask faculty to refer students back to DSP rather than provide informal accommodations. Informal accommodations may not meet the student’s disability-related access needs. If a student is not yet active in DSP and has an immediate concern, instructors can provide the same consideration for extenuating circumstances that they would provide for students without disabilities. For instance, if a student breaks their hand the night before your exam and asks you if they can have some extra time because their typing is slower, you have the discretion to allow this adjustment without...

How is the decision made that a student needs accommodations? How does a student become eligible for DSP services?

Not every student with a disability attending UC Berkeley is utilizing DSP services. The decision to connect with DSP is an individual choice for students with disabilities. If a student believes that they will require accommodations to have equal access to participate in their program at Berkeley, they need to take the formal step of applying for accommodations.

Students first apply online to create an account with DSP that will allow our office to keep students’ disability records separate from their academic and other campus records....

I have been teaching at Berkeley for some time, and the number of students with disabilities in my classes seems to increase every semester. Are more students with disabilities attending Berkeley? Why do the numbers seem to keep going up?

In 2008, the Americans with Disabilities Act was amended, broadening the definition of disability to include more persons with non-apparent disabilities (for example, chronic health conditions and psychological disabilities). In addition, IDEA, the law that governs K-12 services for students with disabilities, has provided greater opportunity for students with disabilities to excel academically, graduate high school, and successfully matriculate to higher education.

Universities nationwide are experiencing unprecedented growth in the numbers of...

A student with a disability is enrolled in my class. What adjustments or other accommodations must I make?

If the student is being served by DSP, you will receive a letter of accommodation that specifically describes the accommodations to which a student is entitled to ensure their equal access to your course. If a student requests accommodations on the basis of disability and you have not yet received an accommodation letter, then you should ask the student to log in to their DSP account via the DSP website to request that a letter of accommodation from DSP is sent to you. Once you have been sent the electronic copy of the accommodation letter, you are then required to provide...

Parents and Allies

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May a postsecondary institution disclose to a parent, without the student’s consent, information regarding a student’s violation of the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance?

Yes, if the student is under the age of 21 at the time of the disclosure. FERPA was amended in 1998 to allow such disclosures. See § 99.31(a)15 of the FERPA regulations. Also, if the student is a “dependent student” as defined in FERPA, the institution may disclosure such information, regardless of the age of the student.

What if my child is a minor and he or she is taking classes at a local college while still in high school – do I have rights?

If a student is attending a postsecondary institution – at any age – the rights under FERPA have transferred to the student. However, in a situation where a student is enrolled in both a high school and a postsecondary institution, the two schools may exchange information on that student. If the student is under 18, the parents still retain the rights under FERPA at the high school and may inspect and review any records sent by the postsecondary institution to the high school.

Can a postsecondary institution disclose financial records of an eligible student with the student’s parents?

If the student is a dependent for income tax purposes, the institution may disclose any education records, including financial records to a student’s parents. If the student is not a dependent, then the student must generally provide consent for the school to disclose the information to the parents.

If I am a parent of a college student, do I have the right to see my child’s education records, especially if I pay the bill?

As noted above, the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student, once the student turns 18 years old or enters a postsecondary institution at any age. However, although the rights under FERPA have now transferred to the student, a school may disclose information from an “eligible student’s” education records to the parents of the student, without the student’s consent, if the student is a dependent for tax purposes. Neither the age of the student nor the parent’s status as a custodial parent is relevant. If a student is claimed as a dependent by either...

What is “Directory Information”?

FERPA defines “directory information” as information contained in the education records of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Typically, “directory information” includes information such as name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and dates of attendance. A school may disclose “directory information” to third parties without consent if it has given public notice of the types of information which it has designated as “directory...

Under what circumstances may a school disclose information from education records without consent?

There are several exceptions to FERPA’s general prior consent rule that are set forth in the statute and the regulations. See § 99.31 of the FERPA regulations. One exception is the disclosure of “directory information” if the school follows certain procedures set forth in FERPA. (34 CFR § 99.31(a)(11).)

How am I informed about my rights under FERPA?

Educational agencies and institutions are required to notify parents and eligible students about their rights under FERPA. Section 99.7 of the FERPA regulations sets forth the requirements for the notification and there is a model notification on this Web site. Schools do not have to individually notify parents and eligible students but do have to notify them by any means that are reasonably likely to inform the parents or eligible students of their rights.

What is FERPA?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that affords parents the right to have access to their children’s education records, the right to seek to have the records amended, and the right to have some control over the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the education records. When a student turns 18 years old, or enters a postsecondary institution at any age, the rights under FERPA transfer from the parents to the student (“eligible student”). The FERPA statute is found at 20 U.S.C. § 1232g and the FERPA regulations are found at...

Note Taking FAQ

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What if DSP is unable to find a note taker for my class?

If we are unable to find a notetaker 10 business days after your request, your DSP specialist will reach out to you about utilizing alternative accommodations. We utilize a remote notetaking service, NoteTaking Express(link is external) in which you can record your class and then upload the audio. A notetaker will transcribe notes and send them to you within 48 hours.

If I add a class late and request notetaking, will I receive retroactive notes?

DSP policy states that after a note-taker has been assigned, notes will (if available) will be provided retroactively to the first class the student attended or the date of the student's request for notetaking (whichever is later)

If I add or drop a course, who should I notify?

Make sure to notify your disability specialist as soon as possible so we can discontinue note-taking services if needed.

What sort of classes are notetaking services available for?

Note-taking services are always provided for lecture courses. If you require notes for a seminar or discussion, please let your specialist know as soon as possible, as these courses require their approval.

Notetakers are typically not provided for courses such as Field Studies, independent studies, DeCals, Education 198 courses, Berkeley Connect etc.

General Questions

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Will I automatically receive services from DSP if I submit a "certification of disability" during the admissions application process?

No. Services are not provided by DSP automatically. All students seeking services through DSP must complete an application. If you are unable to complete the online application process, you can also request assistance in person from the receptionist at the DSP office.

What do I have to do in order to prove that I have a disability?

Disability documentation must verify two things: (1) the presence of a diagnosed disability or medical condition and (2) the current impact of the diagnosed disability or medical condition. For detailed information about documentation requirements and for forms that you can give to your medical providers to fill out, see Documentation.

If you have already sent us documentation but we conclude that it either is not sufficient to support a disability diagnosis or does not give us the...

If I was eligible for disability services in high school, will I automatically be eligible for similar services at Cal?

IEP's and 504 Plans are not binding on the University of California or any organizations outside of the schools in which they were developed. Accordingly, you will not automatically be eligible for specific services or accommodations simply because you present your high school Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan.

To determine whether you are eligible for our services, one of our Disability Specialists will conduct a comprehensive assessment and evaluation process that is consistent with established University of California systemwide practices. The assessment and evaluation...

Why did you request that I submit to more learning disability testing?

Additional or updated testing is normally requested when the existing testing does not give us enough information to determine appropriate services for you. You may review the specific criteria for the diagnosis of learning disabilities and the determination of appropriate service.

Why is there a difference between the services I was offered in high school and those I am eligible to receive at Berkeley?

The laws that address students' access to K-12 education and to postsecondary education offer different protections to students and result in different accommodations.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act covers public school students with disabilities in the United States from elementary school through high school and focuses on student success. Students with disabilities are provided with the curriculum and accomodations they require to be successful in meeting their individualized goals. In some cases, this means that students with disabilities are meeting...

What are my responsibilities for ensuring that I receive the accommodations I am entitled to?

Students have multiple responsibilities in ensuring that they receive their accommodations.

The individual assessment and accommodation process is an ongoing and interactive one. Participate actively in your intake appointment. If the nature or impact of your disability changes, or if your accommodations no longer seem sufficient to provide you with equal access to your courses, let your assigned Disability Specialist know. You can meet with your Disability Specialist to review your current documentation, schedule, and accommodations.

...

Will you discuss my progress at Cal with my parents or answer their questions if they write or phone?

We encourage you to keep in close personal contact with your family throughout your years at Cal. However, DSP cannot normally discuss any information about students' progress at Berkeley with a third party, including parents, guardians, partners, and children. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the University policy regarding the release and disclosure of student information generally prohibit DSP from disclosing confidential information to anyone but the student.

What is...

What are the drop-in hours for this semester?

DSP Disability Specialists

Disability Specialists hold daily tabling just outside the front of the DSP office for students on their caseloads. Drop-in hours can be found below.

DSP Specialist Drop-In Calendar

How do I become an ally for autistic students on campus?

With the projected growing population of neurodiverse students entering 4 year universities in the next decade, it is advantageous for campus communities to design a culture that embraces and showcases neurodiversity acceptance and inclusion. The DSP Autism Services Program, Spectrum Connect, offers a training program for staff, faculty and allies to learn more about autism and best practices for accessibility on campus. We are seeking to build a community of faculty & staff that can act as advocates and educators for neurodivergent students. For more information about...

Alternative Media

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My instructor has not yet declared the titles of my textbooks, what do I do?

Fill out the Alternative Media Notice form as soon as possible. This will allow us to contact your instructor or course department for book and course material information. We will email you information as we receive it.

How do I check to see what textbooks I need for my classes?

There are a few ways to do this. You can check on CalCentral or the Cal Student Store Textbook Lookup. Additionally, you can log into AIM and access the Alternative Media module. See the instructions about how to request alternative media for more information.

My assigned format is not working for me (I don’t like it), can a request a different format?

Please email the Alternative Media Supervisor with details of what is not working for you. Your format could be adjusted or changed.

How do I request Alt Media?

To request alternative media each semester, you must log into AIM. Please see instructions on our website about how to request alternative media using AIM.

I dropped/changed one or more of my classes and no longer need Alt Media for them, what do I do?

As soon as possible, email us at dspamc@berkeley.edu with your name, the name of the class(es), and the name of the book(s) in those classes so that we can cancel those requests immediately.

How long does it take to get my files?

Books/course materials containing clean text (i.e. a novel) take 10-17 business days to process. Books containing STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), graphs, tables, or poor quality/markups (highlighting, underlining, writing, blurry text) generally take longer than 10 business days. For detailed information please read our Alternative Media Guidelines

I am a graduate student and need alternative formats for non-course related academic work. Can I request alternative formats for these titles?

If you own a book that needs conversion, whether it is required for a class or not, please request a conversion from DSP's Alternative Media Unit by logging into AIM. You will need to provide a receipt or proof of ownership for any copyrighted materials.

Note: If you have a lot of books that you need converted, we recommend that you make an appointment with Alt Media staff so that we can prioritize what to convert...

Why do I need to provide a receipt?

DSP must adhere to copyright guidelines and verify that students own the textbooks they are requesting. For detailed information please read our Alternative Media Guidelines

Can I request books from the Library?

If you have a library book that needs conversion, please use the Library's scanning services. You will receive an email with a link to a PDF and a DOCX. If the document you received needs further editing, please feel free to request this file from the Alternative Media Unit of DSP.