Disabled Student Programs and Services

Getting Started

Although there is no deadline date to request DSPS services, students are strongly encouraged to apply and submit verification of disability documentation well in advance before the start of a semester or term to ensure that accommodations are in place by the first day of class. Some accommodations take longer to process and therefore require an earlier request (e.g., Braille, electronic text, scribes, real time captioning).

Please be aware that our office receives a high volume of service requests two weeks before the start of a semester or term and during the first two weeks of a semester or term. During this high peak period, you may experience longer wait time. Efforts are made to process documents and schedule appointments as quickly as possible. All requests will be evaluated by DSPS. Accommodations and services are determined on a case-by-case basis.

To receive academic accommodations and support services, you must be a Citrus College student, have a Citrus College ID number, and take the following steps:

Step 1. Application for Services

Complete the application for DSPS services.

Please have your disability documentation ready to upload (PDF or JPEG format preferred). We cannot begin processing your application until this information is received. By choosing the "Save and Resume Later" option at the end of the application, you may enter, save, and log back into the system to finish the application for up to thirty (30) days from the initial start date. Upon review of your application and disability documentation, a staff member will contact you by phone and/or email to schedule your intake appointment where you will meet with a DSPS counselor to discuss access to reasonable accommodations. In some instances, additional documentation may be needed to substantiate the need for accommodations.

Next, follow steps 2, 3, and 4 in the tabs below:

Step 2. Include Disability Documentation+-

Forms of Disability Documentation to Submit

Disability documentation should contain a specific diagnosis with an indication of whether the disability is temporary or permanent, a description of the functional limitations caused by the disability, and a signature of a licensed practitioner. Alternatively, the DSPS Verification of Disability (VOD) form can be submitted.

Physical Disability Form
Mental Health Form
A copy of the most recent IEP and psycho-education report is the recommended documentation to submit for students with learning disabilities or a history of receiving special educational services in K-12. Students may request a copy of these documents from their high school.
Students without documentation are invited to discuss their specific situation with a DSPS staff member. Please contact dsps@citruscollege.edu or (626) 914-8675.
Students who do not have a history of disability, but are struggling academically may schedule an appointment to meet with a learning disability (LD) specialist by contacting dsps@citruscollege.edu or (626) 914-8675. The LD specialist will determine if further assessment is appropriate.

If you have any questions about the application, please contact dsps@citruscollege.edu. Please include your full name, student ID number and your Citrus College student email.

There are deadlines to ensure students receive priority registration. Students are responsible for submitting documentation and scheduling appointments prior to these deadlines. Review deadlines for summer/fall priority registration and/or winter/spring priority registration for further details.

Step 3. Attend the DSPS intake appointment+-

Intake Appointment

Upon review of your application and disability documentation, a staff member will contact you by phone and/or email to schedule your intake appointment.

If you are a high school student or recent high school graduate, please review the New Student Information before your appointment.

Intake appointments are one (1) hour long and include the following:

review of DSPS application responses and disability documentation
interactive discussion with the student regarding disability-related functional limitations
development of the academic accommodation plan (AAP) outlining approved reasonable accommodations
one (1) semester of course advisement (this does not include registering for classes)

Students needing immediate assistance with class registration may schedule a follow-up DSPS appointment after the intake or may seek drop-in assistance from the Counseling and Advisement Center at (626) 914-8530.

Students needing a student education plan (SEP), a roadmap outlining courses that align with a program of study, may schedule an SEP appointment through the Counseling and Advisement Center.

Step 4. Follow-up DSPS appointments+-

Additional Appointments Recommended

After the initial intake appointment is complete, additional appointments are recommended to assist the student with understanding how to access accommodations and to keep services current each academic year.

Accommodation Orientation
This is the only required follow-up appointment after intake. Students meet with a DSPS counselor to review policies and procedures related to the student's approved accommodations. Continuing DSPS students may not schedule their "update file appointment" to be eligible for priority registration without completing the accommodation orientation.
E-Text Orientation
If approved for the electronic text accommodation, the student must meet with the alternative media specialist to review policies and procedures for alternative media requests and to receive assistive technology training.
Smart Pen Orientation
If approved for the smart accommodation, the student must meet with the alternative media specialist to review policies and procedures for a smart pen loan request and to receive training on how to use the device.
Update File
Students requesting accommodations beyond the academic year in which they applied for services, should meet with a DSPS counselor to update their file and receive their academic accommodation plan (AAP) for the new school year. Eligible students may be approved for priority registration in this appointment. For summer/fall priority registration, students generally meet with a DSPS counselor between January through April; for winter/spring priority registration, students generally meet with a DSPS counselor between July through October. Dates are subject to change. Review deadlines for summer/fall priority registration and/or winter/spring priority registration for further details.
Cancellations and No-Shows
For all appointments except for learning disability assessment appointments, students must cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours prior to their appointment date. Same day cancellations are considered a "no-show."

Students who "no-show" three (3) times within a six (6) month period are restricted to same-day appointments for six (6) months from the date of their third (3) no-show. Students restricted to same-day appointments will need to check-in with the DSPS office to inquire about potential drop-in availability due to no-shows and cancellations. If students are more than ten (10) minutes late for an appointment, the appointment will be cancelled and considered a no-show.
Learning Disability Assessment Appointments
Students who would like to cancel or reschedule a learning disability assessment appointment must provide three (3) days notice. Failure to do so is considered a "no-show." Students who "no-show" for a learning disability assessment appointment must wait until the following semester to continue testing services, as appointment slots become available.