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Disability Support Services

Note to students: the content on this page applies to students at both the Pleasant Hill and San Ramon campuses.

Note for INCOMING freshmen –Class of 2020  email your documentation IEP/Psych report/ 504 plan to  DSSOutreachActivities@dvc.edu and you will be invited to our welcome day in August to set up services before classes begin.
Please register for a COUNS 095 class to register for fall you can find additional information here:  https://www.dvc.edu/future/steps/high-school-senior.html

Covid-19 Emergency Grant

Are you facing unexpected expenses as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition to remote classes and services? If so, you may be eligible for the COVID-19 Emergency Grant! Students enrolled for summer 2020 can apply for a one-time $500 grant to help with books, supplies, housing, food, transportation, technology needs, health care, child care and other costs. Don’t let a financial emergency keep you from completing your educational goals at DVC! Funds are limited! Apply now!

General

As you may know, DVC will be holding all its classes online until further notice. During this time, Disability Support Services is committed to doing all it can to assist you in succeeding. The DSS office will remain accessible during this time remotely and continue to provide all current services. Please email Yeni Galvez Hernandez at ygalvez@dvc.edu if you have general questions.

Testing

All exams will be given online. DSS students who receive extra time for face to face tests can continue to receive the same extension on Canvas for online exams. DSS has contacted instructors for any student who has signed a testing contract this semester to ask that they adjust your time on the software. Please email Ron Tenty at rtenty@dvc.edu if you do not see your time modified.

Note Taking

Your note takers will continue to send notes as appropriate. If your instructor is using videos or zoom meetings to simulate a classroom, a transcript or recording should be available. However, for many classes, note taking should be limited. Your instructors will be posting many of their documents and lectures online so you can review them repeatedly. Some instructors may also post their own lecture notes. However, this is not required of faculty. Please contact Jonathan Cattarin at jcattarin@dvc.edu with questions.

Alternate Media

While DSS will continue to convert written materials to alternate media, it cannot promise rapid turnaround of documents given the likely high demand. Students who are blind or with low vision will get top priority. Please contact Rose Desmond at RDesmond@dvc.edu if you have content that you need converted, including testing materials.

Counseling

This summer DSS counseling appointments will be limited to the following:

• Students enrolled in summer classes in need of accommodations 
• Student enrolled in summer classes and need of an education plan
• Students transferring to DVC from another college in need of accommodations 
• Students returning to DVC after an absence of one year 

If you belong to one of the above groups, please email Rachel DeChristofaro  to schedule an appointment. Individual counseling appointments are not available to incoming freshman until the Fall 2020 semester. Our DSS counselors are Nicole Despins, Kellie Conde and at SRC Carolyn Warren.

For general counseling information, visit this link: 

Information for 2020 High School Graduates:

DVC enrollment information can be found at this link.

Individual counseling appointments are not available to incoming freshman until the Fall 2020 semester 

DSS is collecting documentation of disability for incoming students, and those who send documentation will be invited to a DSS Orientation Day in August. This documentation (IEP or 504 plan) can be sent to DssOutreachActivities@dvc.edu. At this August orientation, all new DSS students can receive their Academic Accommodation Plan, which lists their services, prior to the beginning of the semester.  Alternatively, if they are unable to attend the Orientation Day, at the beginning of fall semester, students can turn in documentation, meet with a DSS counselor and receive accommodations.

Tutoring

DSS tutors are available to answer questions Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday June 9 - July 23  11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
To receive services, you will need to request access to Zoom.
Please email one of our tutors at their DVC email addresses to request access:

• Luis: lescobedosierra758@insite.4cd.edu(Math, including Statistics and Pre-Calculus)
• Tracy: tdurden066@email.4cd.edu (English and general essay writing in all subjects)

High Tech Center and Computer Questions

You may email Carrie Million at cmillion@dvc.edu with questions or to request an appointment.

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At Diablo Valley College, we provide all students an equal opportunity for success. Disability Support Services (DSS) ensures that students with disabilities have access to all that DVC has to offer. The DSS program offers appropriate support services, curriculum, instruction, and adaptive technology. We look forward to working with you as you embark on your college adventure.

If you have any questions please contact Rachel DeChristofaro at 925-969-2182 for further assistance. For more information, visit the DSS Office located in the Student Services Center, Room 248 on the main DVC campus, or call 925-969-2185.

Pleasant Hill Campus Accessible Map - pdf

Note: Priority registration

The last day for new DSS students to request priority registration for summer 2020 is April 15.

Summer registration will be April 20th

The last day for current DVC DSS students (those taking spring classes) to request priority registration for Fall 2020 is Friday, May 1, 2020. However, students can still apply for other accommodations, such as testing or note taking services. After this date their priority registration will go into effect for Spring 2021.

Fall registration will be May 18 and 19, 2020

DSS testing accommodations

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Contact Disability Support Services

DSS Office Telephone:	925-969-2182
Deaf/Hard of hearing only Sorenson V.R.S	925-270-1660

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