Accessibility Services

Once an accessibility counselor reviews your documentation, we will call you to schedule an intake appointment. Please make sure you leave a correct phone number, preferably with a working voicemail, with your documentation.

Intake appointments are half an hour long and include the following:

• Accessibility Services required forms (intake form and verification documentation) 
• Approval of educational accommodations AAP(Academic Accommodation Plan) 
• Signing of AEC (Accessibility Educational Contract) 
• Course advisement, this does not include registering for classes

Once we receive verification documentation, we provide support services, specialized instruction, and educational accommodations to students with unique learning abilities. 

Accessibility counselors  are the student’s means of accessing accommodations and Accessibility Services.

Students must meet with an accessibility counselor per completion of each course for review of their progress, accommodations and academic goals.

The following is a typical list of reasons a student would see a accessibility counselor:

• Determination of eligibility for Accessibility Services
• Disability related issues
• Referral to outside agencies
• Faculty/student liaison
• Accessibility accommodations including alternative media, adaptive technology

Criteria for Documenting Disabilities per Administrative Code, Title 5 § 56032. This database is current through 1/3/20 Register 2020, No. 1 5 CCR § 56042, 5 CA ADC § 56042

Physical Disability. Physical disability is defined as a limitation in locomotion or motor functions. These limitations are the result of specific impacts to the body’s muscular-skeletal or nervous systems, and limit the student’s ability to access the educational process. 

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 67312, 70901 and 84850, Education Code. Reference: Sections 67310-67312 and 84850, Education Code. § 56034. 

Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH). Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) is defined as a total or partial loss of hearing function that limits the student’s ability to access the educational process. 

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 67312, 70901 and 84850, Education Code. Reference: Sections 67310-67312 and 84850, Education Code. § 56035. 

Blind and Low Vision. Blindness and low vision is defined as a level of vision that limits the student’s ability to access the educational process. 

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 67312, 70901 and 84850, Education Code. Reference: Sections 67310-67312 and 84850, Education Code. § 56036. 

Learning Disability. Learning disability (LD) is defined as a persistent condition of presumed neurological dysfunction which may exist with other disabling conditions. The dysfunction is not explained by lack of educational opportunity, lack of proficiency in the language of instruction, or other non-neurological factors, and this dysfunction limits the student’s ability to access the educational process. To be categorized as a student with a learning disability a student must meet the following criteria through psycho-educational assessment verified by a qualified specialist certified to assess learning disabilities: (a) Average to above-average intellectual ability; and (b) Statistically significant processing deficit(s); and/or (c) Statistically significant aptitude-achievement discrepancies. 

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 67312, 70901 and 84850, Education Code. Reference: Sections 67310-67312 and 84850, Education Code. § 56037. 

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is defined as a deficit in brain functioning which results in a total or partial loss of cognitive, communicative, motor, psycho-social and/or sensory-perceptual abilities, and limits the student’s ability to access the educational process. 

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 67312, 70901 and 84850, Education Code. Reference: Sections 67310-67312 and 84850, Education Code. Effective October 16, 2015 9 § 56038. 

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is defined as a neurodevelopmental disorder that is a persistent deficit in attention and/or hyperactive and impulsive behavior that limits the student’s ability to access the educational process.

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 67312, 70901 and 84850, Education Code. Reference: Sections 67310-67312 and 84850, Education Code. § 56039. 

Intellectual Disability (ID). Intellectual disability (ID) is defined as significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior that affect and limit the student’s ability to access the educational process. An individual may have an intellectual disability when: (a) the person’s functioning level is below average intellectual ability; and (b) the person has significant limitations in adaptive skill areas as expressed in conceptual, social, academic and practical skills in independent living and employment; and, (c) the disability originated before the age of 18. 

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 67312, 70901 and 84850, Education Code. Reference: Sections 67310-67312 and 84850, Education Code. § 56040.

Autism Spectrum. Autism Spectrum disorders are defined as neurodevelopmental disorders described as persistent deficits which limit the student’s ability to access the educational process. Symptoms must have been present in the early developmental period, and cause limitation in social, academic, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning. 

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 67312, 70901 and 84850, Education Code. Reference: Sections 67310-67312 and 84850, Education Code. § 56042. 

Mental Health Disability. Mental Health disability is defined as a persistent psychological or psychiatric disability, or emotional or mental illness that limits the student’s ability to access the educational process. For purposes of this subchapter, conditions that are not described and/or excluded in the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are not covered in this category. 

NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 67312, 70901 and 84850, Education Code. Reference: Sections 67310-67312 and 84850, Education Code; 42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101; American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. Effective October 16, 2015 10 § 56044. 

Other Health Conditions and Disabilities. This category includes all students with disabilities, as defined in Section 56002, with other health conditions, and/or disabilities that affect a major life activity, which are otherwise not defined in Sections 56032-56042, but which limit the student’s ability to access the educational process.

Helpful Resources

Bookshare® Books without Barriers ​is a searchable, online library of digital books available free of charge to people with print disabilities. The collection includes textbooks, novels, periodicals and assistive technology tools for readers of all ages. Users can have memberships through their school, organization, and/or an individual membership for use at home. Reading materials are downloaded electronically and then read using compatible adaptive technology, typically software that reads the book aloud (text-to-speech) and/or displays the text of the book on a computer screen, or Braille access devices, such as refreshable Braille displays. There is even an app for use with the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

CollegeBuys.org​

Powered by the Foundation for California Community Colleges, offers discounts of up to 85 percent on a wide range of educational products, ​from industry-leading software and technology to high quality office and classroom furniture.

College Resources for Students with Disabilities

Support, advocacy and assistive technology to facilitate the transition to higher education

Disability Resources for College Students

Helping Students Pay for College from CollegeScholarships.org

Helping Students With Visual Disabilities​

Internet For All Now

Internet For All Now Act of 2017 was sponsored by the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) and its partners to lay a foundation for the future of broadband in California.

WellConnect

Offers students a wide range of services such as mental health counseling, referral and consultation services as well as a variety of other resources. 

Learning Ally

The California Community Colleges have a contractual relationship with Learning Ally, which is a major provider of audiobooks for students with print disabilities. To access your college’s free membership or to find out more about the service, visit this website. Contact information is provided for the CCC’s Learning Ally representative.