Student FAQs

Student Frequently Asked Questions

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...

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.

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 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.

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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...

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.

Proctoring

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When will my exam request be approved?

Your exam request will be approved one (1) week before the exam date.

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.

Can I choose my exam location?

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

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 and proctor my own exams?

Yes. Instructors should plan to provide common exam accommodations such as 150% time and a reduced distraction environment whenever possible.

The DSP Proctoring Office prioritizes proctoring for accommodations that may be more challenging to implement, such as 200% and greater extended time, room-alone, and use of technology such as screen readers and speech-to-text.

Instructors may provide proctoring for any student as long as each student is provided with the accommodations outlined on their individual Letter of...

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.

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.

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.

Note-Taking

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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.

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...

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.

Captioned Media FAQs for Students

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Will Captioned Media be provided even though I have a Realtime Captioner?

Yes, Captioned Media is a separate accommodation. All media has to be captioned, even if a Realtime Captioner is present.

Can I make a request for Captioned Media after my initial accommodations are granted?

Yes. You may request additional accommodations after your initial request is approved. Please schedule an appointment with your DSP Specialist to request a new accommodation. If your request has been approved, please allow sufficient time for the instructor and the Communication Services Department to coordinate your Captioned Media accommodation.

What do I do if media is not being captioned after I have received an accommodation?

If you feel your accommodations are not being met or you have any questions or concerns, please notify your DSP Specialist.

What is included in Captioned Media accommodations?

The Captioned Media accommodation applies to any media that is presented, posted, and/or required to be viewed in a course. Students with a Captioned Media Accommodation must have equal access to all media-related material in a course.

When will I receive a transcript for my class?

Class transcripts will be available in the DSP portal (AIM) within 24 hours.

Where does the Realtime Captioner Sit?

When utsing an on-site captioner, the captioner will sit where they are able to hear the instructor and see the visual presentations. The student can sit next to the captioner or may use their own electronic device if they wish to sit elsewhere in the room.

In the event an internet connection is unavailable or interrupted, the student will need to sit by the captioner in order to view live captions.

Realtime Captioning 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...

What if the Zoom link changes for my class?

If there is a new Zoom link for your course, please contact the Realtime Captioning Coordinator with the updated Zoom link information.

How do I receive captions for an on-campus class when using a remote captioner?

Streamtext is the primary platform used to provide captions remotely. Below are instructions for logging in, viewing captions, and customizing the display in Streamtext.

If captions are being provided through a different platform, you will receive an email with a URL link to view the captions on that platform.

To log into your Streamtext account, please follow these instructions: ...

How do I retrieve my transcript in the DSP portal (AIM)?

1.From the AIM Dashboard, click on “Deaf and Hard of Hearing” located on the left side of the screen.

Screenshot of AIM Dashboard

2. Click on “Available Transcript(s)” beneath...

Can I request to have live captioning for a public event that is not course related?

Yes. Disability Access and Compliance can arrange services for public events. Please contact them to request assistance at: Disability Access and Compliance request form

Will I have the same captioner for all of my classes?

The assignment of a captioner will depend on scheduling and logistics. Each captioner will work with multiple students and will not work exclusively with one student for all of their classes.

What if I add, drop, or change a class?

Please request Realtime Captioning accommodations through the DSP portal (AIM) for any class changes or newly added classes. Notify the Realtime Captioning Supervisor once the AIM changes have been made.

****Note that it may take up to two weeks to receive realtime captioning services once your request is submitted.