The Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSPS) provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at Golden West College (GWC). A variety of programs and services are available, which allow eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations.
Students have the right to:
- receive services and reasonable accommodations based on their disability-related educational limitations according to Section 504, Section 508, ADA, and Title 5 Guidelines
- receive confidential treatment of their disability-related information
- be treated with dignity and respect
- appeal decisions made by the DSPS Office
- contact DSPS immediately in cases where a grievance is related to an academic accommodation. Student grievance procedures may be found on our website (URL: goldenwestcollege.edu/complaint-process/)
Students must understand that:
- DSPS may release information to professionals who have an educational need to know under the Family Education Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA)
- participation in DSPS shall be entirely voluntary
- participating in DSPS does not preclude the student from participating in any other course program, or activity offered by the college
Students are responsible for:
- providing DSPS with the necessary documentation to verify their disability(ies)
- with a DSPS Counselor to develop an Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP)
- requesting/using approved accommodations in a timely/responsible manner each semester
- notifying DSPS of any appointment cancellations
- canceling accommodations for dropped classes
- returning any equipment that is checked out at the end of each semester
- replacing any lost equipment that is checked out
- treating every DSPS Employee with dignity and respect
- checking their GWC email account for important information from DSPS & GWC
- meeting Golden West Colleges academic standards
- maintaining behavior appropriate to an educational setting and will be subject to GWC Student Code of Conduct (URL: /gwcfao/conduct/)
Specific DSPS Services Guidelines
Students are eligible for DSPS Services at Golden West College with the following provisions:
- Current enrollment as a GWC student
- Application for DSPS Services
- Disability Verification
Meet with the DSPS Counselor to develop an Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP)
Students need to contact the DSPS Office every semester in which the accommodation is needed. Certain accommodations may have additional conditions by which the student must abide. Early requests for accommodations are encouraged. Late requests for accommodations may result in delays due to availability. Regular contact with the DSPS Program throughout the semester will increase the students chances of success in classes.
Suspension or Termination of DSPS Services
Eligible students may be denied services or accommodations through DSPS.
Inappropriate use of services is defined as failure to comply with GWC Student Code of Conduct (Board Policy 3902) and/or failure to comply with the policies and procedures of individual services that the student is using. Failure to comply with the terms stated within each specific services area may result in the suspension of that service.
- Services or accommodations may be terminated in the middle of the semester.
- Prior to the termination of a service, the student will be notified in writing that unless he/she meets with a DSPS Counselor/Director to discuss the area of concern, the service will be automatically terminated for fourteen (14) academic days from the date of the letter.
- At the meeting with DSPS Counselor/Director, the student will sign a contract to continue/resume DSPS Services, which outlines the guidelines for continuing services.
- Suspended services may be reinstated during the current semester only on the authorization of the DSPS Director and only if there are extenuating circumstances which warrant the reinstatement of the service.
- Reinstatement of services for subsequent semesters can be considered.
Legal Responsibilities of DSPS
Title 5 Section 56010(b) of California Code of regulations indicate that a district may adopt a written policy providing for the suspension or termination of DSPS Services when a student fails to comply with responsible use of DSPS Services, service provision policies, and measurable progress policies. Such policies shall provide for written notice to the student prior to suspension or termination and shall afford the student an opportunity to appeal the decision. Each student shall be given a copy of this policy upon first applying for services from DSPS.
