DSS Faculty Handbook

A thorough and collaborative discussion between the DSS Counselor and the student to help identify the educational limitations and to provide the appropriate and most effective accommodations.
 
Faculty and staff are highly encouraged to connect with the assigned DSS Counselor or with Disability Support Services at x8838.

DSS highly encourages instructors to contact the DSS Counselor directly to further discuss any questions or concerns related to the accommodations. Please note that the DSS Counselor email will be listed on the Letter of Accommodation. The DSS front desk can also be contacted at x8838. DSS is located in RSS 141.

Please refer student to DSS located at RSS 141. Providing accommodations without official DSS documentation is highly discouraged by the college, as it can lead to legal issues and possible Office of Civil Rights intervention. In addition, it is to the student’s advantage to get connected with DSS so that they may benefit from DSS services related to their disability.

Yes. Based on student’s educational limitations, the ability to record a lecture may be approved by the DSS Counselor.  The DSS Assistive Technology instructor offers workshops throughout the quarter on how to use technology for note-taking purposes. All DSS students must review and sign the Digital Recording Agreement form, a copy of the agreement is always attached to the Letter of Accommodation (LOA) as a reference. Students may use their phones, tablets, laptops to record lectures in order to access class content.

No. DSS highly recommends that the approved accommodations by DSS be honored and not altered, as the interactive process was completed with the student during the intake. Students can be referred back to DSS for a re-evaluation of their accommodations, if necessary.

Important to note that any alterations provided outside of the DSS Office may have legal implications, as college accommodations differ from High School accommodations.  DSS appreciates the support instructors provide to students. However, providing additional accommodations that are not listed on the Letter of Accommodation (LOA) can be of concern, as it sets a precedent for the student to expect other instructors to accommodate in the same manner. Current best practice is to refer student back to DSS for re-assessment.

No.  DSS students are not provided an ‘unfair advantage’.  The ADA requires that DSS Counselors meet with students and facilitate the interactive process, in order to determine appropriate accommodations.  These accommodations do not lower the course expectations or standards nor do they provide an ‘unfair advantage’.  All provided accommodations are based on students’ educational limitations.

DSS has an absence accommodation policy, which is very specific and provides guidance to instructors.  This type of accommodation has a maximum of two (2) absences per quarter and is not retroactive, and cannot be used for every class session.  Students must provide medical documentation for all additional absence requests to their DSS Counselor.  It is recommended that instructors connect with the assigned DSS Counselor for support and clarification. [Detailed information is provided as an addendum in all Letters of Accommodations (LOA)].
 

Not all accommodations require students to meet with their instructors. However, there are some instances whereby the student will need to connect with the instructor.  For example, when using the memory aid as an accommodation, students are required to meet with their instructors early in the quarter, as the instructor will need to determine the amount and the type of notes that the student is allowed to use during a quiz or exam. In addition, students who are blind or low vision are highly encouraged to connect with their instructors to discuss possible alternate assignments when needed. [Detailed information is provided as an addendum in all Letters of Accommodations (LOA)].

Students who qualify for such an accommodation should be able to mark off that option on their Letter of Accommodation. These types of extensions are not common and require a thorough interactive process with the student before approval. If a student has the accommodation and has missed more than two (2) assignments, then please refer student to their assigned DSS Counselor for further assessment. [Detailed information is provided as an addendum in all Letters of Accommodations (LOA)].

It is students’ responsibility to request their test accommodations at least five (5) school days prior to the test. If the student does not contact the Testing Center in time, then they will need to take the exam in the classroom. If a student is new to DSS, then the Test Proctors will work directly with the instructor to expedite the request.  If a student is new to DSS, then the Test Proctors will work directly with the instructor to attempt to expedite the request.

Yes. The DSS student will get the accommodated time extension based on the total amount of time that the rest of the class is getting on the test. The extra time accommodation must be honored even when the whole class is provided an additional timed extension. Extra time for exams does not apply to exams that are not timed—this accommodation is only applicable for timed exams.

No. The concept of extended time is applied specifically for timed exams. Since the entire class has a whole week to complete the exam, then the accommodation does not apply. However, if the entire class has a whole week to complete a timed exam, then the DSS student will need their extended time on that specific exam.

All exams must be scheduled during the Testing Center hours. DSS strives to schedule exams at the same time as the class.  When a time conflict arises, then the instructor, student, and the testing proctors will decide on a different time/date or both. DSS has worked very hard to establish faculty trust and requires all students to sign a quarterly contract in order to adhere to the test proctoring protocols.  In addition, there are cameras in the testing rooms for the test proctors to oversee the test taking. Any noticed issues are immediately reported to the instructor, the DSPS Dean, and to the DSPS Supervisor.

All exams must be scheduled during the Testing Center hours. In order to have an evening class or a weekend class test proctored by DSS, the instructor and the student will need to determine the appropriate weekday and time during the DSS testing hours and then contact the Testing Proctors at dsstestproctor@fhda.edu to schedule.

All tests are monitored and proctored by the DSS Test Proctors, who have access to the video cameras within the testing rooms and monitoring software on all computers to ensure testing integrity. When administering the exams, DSS Proctors follow the testing guidelines provided by the instructor via Clockwork/email. All DSS students who test at the Testing Center LCW 110 read, acknowledge, and sign the DSS testing policy protocols. 

In addition, during testing, students are required to keep all personal belongings, including backpacks, purses, cell phones, etc. in a locked cabinet—only items indicated by the instructor in Clockwork are permitted into the testing room.

Students are responsible for requesting their accommodations, even when taking online classes.  Instructors are responsible for extending the time for online quizzes, exams, and finals through CANVAS or the platform they are using for their course. For questions related on how to extend the time, please contact Online Education.

Not all students with disabilities receive DSS support. Some students for personal reasons choose not to be affiliated with DSS, and it is their right to do so. However, all official accommodations are approved by DSS. If instructors do not receive a Letter of Accommodation, then they are not responsible to provide accommodations to the student and are highly encouraged to refer those students to DSS.

Yes. However, student may choose whether or not to disclose their disability and enrolling in DSS is voluntary, not mandated. Should you have concerns about a student, then please refer the student to DSS at RSS 141.  Once referred, then student can decide whether or not to participate with DSS. If you need help on how to communicate this, then please feel free to contact DSS  for support x8838.

Disability does not excuse behavior – students with disabilities must meet the same behavioral standards as all other De Anza College students and must follow the Student Code of Conduct.  All disciplinary related matters are addressed by the Office of Student Development.
 

In order for a personal assistant/aide to be able to attend an academic class, they must meet specific criteria and be approved by the DSS Counselor. Typically, when an assistant/aide is approved by DSS to attend the classroom, they are required to register for the class.  However, if the student’s disability is life threatening whereby the assistant must be present, then this is evaluated differently by the DSS Counselor.

Never.  DSS students must meet the same standards as all other students in the classroom. 

All information related to student’s disability is confidential; however, students can disclose, if they choose to.  Instructional faculty are not allowed to communicate with parents about disability—without student’s permission, including High School students. De Anza College adheres to FERPA.
 

Yes. DSS students must meet the same standards and expectations, as all other students in the class and should receive the grade based on their academic performance.
 

Blind or low vision students can be provided specific tasks during lab work or group work.  If it is a dyad, then it is highly encouraged to team the student with another classmate during 1:1 lab work. And during group work, the most suitable task for a blind or low vision student would be to either do the research, be a note-taker, dialogue with the team members, and/or present material.

No, students are not allowed to retake prior exams, as DSS services are not retroactive. However, the decision for the student to retake prior tests is based on the instructor ‘s discretion and will not be considered an accommodation.  DSS services are effective on the day the student meets with the DSS Counselor to complete the initial intake.