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The personal service attendant (PSA) is an individual trained to address the personal care needs of an individual with a disability, thus allowing access to participate in college classes, programs, and services*.

The PSA is not considered a direct accommodation from DSPS but is regarded as a necessary support for some students to perform activities of daily living while on campus. The college does not assume coordination or financial responsibilities for PSAs.

A sample of duties are as follows:

  1. Transfer from a car/van to a wheelchair
  2. Mobility navigation (e.g., transportation to or from the classroom or to or from different departments on camps)
  3. Administering medication
  4. Moving or adjusting limbs, if needed
  5. Addressing toilet, feeding or dressing needs
  6. Taking documents or personal belongings in and out of personal purse, wallet, bag or backpack
  7. Assistance with filling out online forms, per dictated information by the student

Be advised that Citrus College employees do not perform the above tasks, including:

  • wheeling a student in a wheelchair to different locations on campus
  • filling out forms on a student's behalf, such as the financial aid FAFSA application
  • accessing information on a student's personal email or personal phone

DSPS Student Responsibilities

Upon registering with DSPS, the student should inform the counselor at their intake appointment if they will have a personal service attendant (PSA) attend class with them, preferably prior to the start of the term. The counselor will then notify the instructors that a PSA may be present. Students must subsequently request a PSA appointment each term as soon as they have registered for classes to allow for notification to instructor(s). Students are to self-advocate by communicating any needs, problems or concerns about academic performance or attendance directly with their instructor(s).

PSA Responsibilities

Personal service attendants (PSA) are providers who attend class with the student and are responsible for personal care duties such as turning pages, retrieving books, taking off coats, feeding/bathroom assistance, etc. In some cases, the PSA serves to prompt or redirect the student's behavior. The PSA is not responsible for the student's academic progress in the classroom and should not be completing course work on behalf of the student. 

PSAs must follow the campus COVID-19 protocol, subject to change. Check the COVID-19 protocols for updates.

The PSA should not speak on behalf of the student to either instructional faculty or campus staff. The PSA can support the student by preparing them for conversations with instructors or staff ahead of time but should not be speaking for the student during these exchanges. An exception is only made if the student's conservator serves as the PSA.  The PSA should refrain from discussing any confidential information about the student with faculty, staff and/or other students as well as avoid non-related classroom conversations with the student during class. 

Computers available on campus are for the direct use of students enrolled at Citrus College. PSAs should follow all school rules, such as refraining from eating/drinking/smoking in prohibited areas, such as the DSPS High Tech Lab at Citrus College or other non-designated areas. Remember that computer stations are reserved for DSPS students.

The PSA are required to abide by the college's standards of conduct (BP 5500) per administrative procedure AP 5520, Section G.

If a student/PSA fail to meet one or more of the above requirements, the student/PSA will meet with the DSPS director regarding compliance with set responsibilities and the PSA's employer will be notified. Should violations of the above responsibilities continue, the student and PSA will meet with the dean of students to discuss termination of that PSA serving on campus, per AP 5520.

*The PSA definition excludes individuals/community-based organizations who provide support outside of the classroom. All visitors are still required to follow the college's standards of conduct (BP 5500).

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