Welcome to the Disability Support Services office. We provide accommodations to all students with disabilities. The DSS office is open for both in person services and remote communications, such as via email, phone, online, and zoom. Please email Rachel DeChristofaro (rdechristofaro@dvc.edu) if you have general questions or call 925-969-2185 and leave a message.
Note to students: The content on this page applies to students at both the Pleasant Hill and San Ramon campuses.
The links below will take you to information on the following topics:
First time and returning students need to complete three steps to enroll in DSS.
Complete and sign DSS Application for services.
Provide documentation of disability such as:
Please attach documentation to the application.
Meet with a DSS counselor.
For appointments, counseling schedule, and drop-ins please email Rachel DeChristofaro.
More information will be posted in spring 2022 about DSS outreach to local high schools and application procedures for students expecting to graduate in spring and planning to enroll at DVC in fall 2022. For now, you may view Information for Incoming Freshman in 2022.
DSS respects the confidentiality of student information. For that reason, DSS will not share accommodations with faculty or other DVC staff unless a student specifically requests it. DSS students must request their accommodations each semester. See below for details and links for specific services.
Pleasant Hill Campus Accessible Map - pdf
DSS students can continue to receive time accommodations for online exams. DSS will contact instructors to adjust the software time setting for any student who has signed and submitted an Online Exams & Quizzes Testing Accommodation Form (see link below). Please note that DVC instructors require a minimum of two business days notice to adjust the software.
For extended (extra) testing time (for use by students already approved by DSS)
Online Exams & Quizzes Testing Accommodation Form
Please email Ron Tenty if you have any testing questions or do not see your time modified.
For classes with tests in person, DSS can proctor exams in its office. Please visit
the DSS Office if you wish to schedule a time. Only in person exams will be accommodated.
Two to five business days of notice to DSS is necessary.
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Note Taking Services offers shared notes and tools to develop students' ability to take notes independently. Note taking is available for both in person and online classes. Please contact Jonathan Cattarin with questions.
For services, please complete a Request for Note Taking Services Form. For more information see Notetaking services web page
DSS loans equipment to students approved for accommodations.
If you need equipment for notetaking, such as digital recorders or a smart pen you can contact Jonathan Cattarin to arrange for pick up. For a tutorial on the smart pen, watch this video Smart pen tutorial.
If you need software such as Kurzweil text to speech to help with reading, or Dragon naturally speaking speech to text software contact Rose Desmond.
Alternate Media Services converts textbook and classroom materials into alternate formats for students who have the accommodation. Students who are blind or with low vision will get priority. This includes testing materials.
To receive accommodation please complete the Alternate media services contract and upload or email Rose your book receipt. Please contact Rose Desmond if you have questions or content that you need converted.
DVC offers help in many different formats. Please visit our "Got questions" webpage to learn more.
All DSS students may schedule one (1) counseling appointment per semester of one (1) hour. At that time, they may discuss any questions or needs, including education planning, class selection, accommodations, etc.
To make a DSS counseling appointment, complete the Counseling Appointment Request form.
DSS is also answering brief counseling questions through drop in appointments, which allow 15 minutes per student. To request the zoom link for drop in counseling, please email Rachel DeChristofaro. When students sign in for drop in, they will be placed in a waiting room. Wait times may be significant during the first weeks of the semester. Please be patient and a counselor will let you in as soon as possible.
Please note that for a probation, dismissal, or maximum time frame appeal, a 1-hour appointment is necessary. Dismissal appointments are scheduled by Carissa at the dismissal workshop. Probation students may meet with a counselor or watch a video on the probation webpage.
For general counseling information, visit DVC Counseling services.
DSS faculty will be running weekly workshops to assist students in prioritizing tasks
and managing their time. This is an opportunity for students to have a weekly check
in and obtain assistance in planning and scheduling their upcoming week. The zoom
link for these workshops can be found on the DSS Canvas page by clicking the Organization button under Tutoring. Alternatively, you can send an
email to Rachel DeChristofaro to receive the zoom link for this weekly workshop.
Workshops will be held every Friday from 9:30AM – 11:00AM and will begin Friday, February
11th.
DSS tutors are available online and in person to answer questions Monday through Thursday January 18, to May 20, 9 am - 3 pm. Tutors meet in BFL 210 or online.
To receive online services, students will need to request access to Zoom.
Please email one of our tutors at their DVC email addresses to request access:
Students with questions about Assistive technology (i.e. Kurzweil, Dragon NaturallySpeaking, etc.) and/or computer use (i.e. email, Canvas, Insite, word processing, PowerPoint, etc.), can contact dsshightechcenter@dvc.edu, or call 925-322-1176 to schedule an appointment. Please refer to the list of available services offered by the High Tech Center for more information.
Priority registration for Fall 2022 classes will be held on April 25 and 26. New DSS
students must submit documentation of their disability and meet with a counselor by
the Thursday prior to the first day of early registration to qualify (April 21). Those
completing an application after that date will be eligible for priority registration
in Spring 2023.
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Dates | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Feb 7 - May 20 |
9 am-4 pm |
9 am-4 pm |
9 am-4 pm |
9 am-4 pm |
Closed |
Dates | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
January 3-May 20 | 8 am - 5 pm | 8 am - 5 pm | 8 am - 5 pm | 8 am - 5 pm | 8 am - 3 pm |
DSS Office Telephone | 925-969-2182 |
Manager: | David Hagerty |
Telephone: | 925-969-2176 |
Email: | DHagerty@dvc.edu |
Office location: | SSC-248 campus map |