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Disability Support Services

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:

Applying for Services

First time and returning students need to complete three steps to enroll in DSS.  

Step 1

Complete and sign DSS Application for services.

Step 2

Provide documentation of disability such as:

  • IEP
  • Note from doctor or medical provider
  • Department of Rehabilitation
  • 504 Plan
  • Veterans Affairs
  • Regional Center
  • Psych-educational report
  • Disability Verification Form completed by professional
  • Social Security Office 

Please attach documentation to the application.

Step 3

Meet with a DSS counselor.

For appointments, counseling schedule, and drop-ins please email Rachel DeChristofaro.

For High School Seniors class of 2022

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.

Requesting Accommodations

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

Testing Accommodations

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

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

Equipment and software check out

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

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.

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Got Questions banner
DVC offers help in many different formats. Please visit our "Got questions" webpage to learn more.

Counseling

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.

Weekly Time Management Workshops

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.

Tutoring

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:

High tech center and computer questions

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

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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Note: DSS office hours are now in-person and remote.

In-person Spring hours
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
Remote services
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

Contact Disability Support Services

DSS Office Telephone 925-969-2182

Manager: David Hagerty  
Telephone: 925-969-2176 
Email: DHagerty@dvc.edu 
Office location: SSC-248 campus map