What are accommodations?

Accommodations are the means by which the college allows the student to compensate for limitations resulting from a disability. Accommodations are not designed to give students an advantage but rather to allow them an equal opportunity in the classroom. Although equality of opportunity will not guarantee equality of results, it will give students with disabilities the opportunity to live up to their potential for success.

Who qualifies?

Students may be eligible for accommodations if they meet course requirements and have a documented disability which interferes with learning. Accommodations are always determined on a case-by-case basis.

How does a CCSF student apply for accommodations?

Students with disabilities are encouraged to be seen by a DSPS counselor who will assess the student's functional limitations and determine reasonable accommodations. When appropriate, the classroom instructor will be notified of recommended accommodations and will be asked for signature approval.

Why do we have accommodations?

Under provisions of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), CCSF is required to provide accommodations for students with disabilities to ensure that the student receives an equal opportunity. To ensure equal opportunity, the post-secondary experience of students with disabilities must be comparable to that of non-disabled students.

• Modifications of academic requirements may be necessary to accommodate qualified disabled students. Modification, if necessary or appropriate, may include changes in the length of time necessary for completion of degree requirements, substitution of specific required courses, and adaptations in the manner courses are conducted or learning is demonstrated. Requirements essential to the program of instruction or related to licensing requirements are not regarded as discriminatory.
• Students with impaired sensory, manual, language or processing skills must be allowed to use educational auxiliary aids. Such aids may include taped texts, readers, interpreters, note takers, tape recorders, adapted classroom equipment, and other similar services or equipment. DSPS assists students with auxiliary aid requirements.
• Tests that the institution uses must not discriminate against students with disabilities. Tests must be administered in such a manner that results for students with impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills measure the students' aptitudes or achievement levels rather than the functional limitations of their disabilities.