Disabled Student Programs and Services

• Equal access to programs, activities, services, and courses available at Citrus College
• Non-discrimination
• Reasonable accommodations and services
• Information that is reasonably available in accessible formats
• Utilize appeal procedures for matters related to the determination or provision of accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids
• Appropriate confidentiality of information pertaining to disability issues. Students are not required to disclose the nature of their disability to their instructors. Citrus College uses the information requested on DSPS forms for the purpose of determining a student's eligibility to receive authorized accommodations. Personal information recorded on these forms will be kept confidential in order to protect against unauthorized disclosure. Portions of this information may be shared with the Chancellor's Office of the California Community Colleges or other state or federal agencies; however, disclosure to these parties is made in strict accordance with applicable statutes regarding confidentiality, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. 1232(g)).

• Identify him/herself to the DSPS department within a reasonable time frame when academic adjustments, accommodations or auxiliary aids or services are needed
• Submit disability documentation in a timely manner
• Meet with a DSPS counselor as soon as possible, preferably prior to the first week of the semester or term to review requested accommodations. Students may request accommodations at any time during the semester; however, it is recommended that accommodations be set before the first day of the semester or term, particularly for accommodations requiring substantial coordination, such as interpreting services, real time captioning, alternative media, adaptive furniture, or scribe services. Failure to provide reasonable notice may jeopardize receiving auxiliary aids or services by the first day of classes.
• Follow the specific procedures for requesting and utilizing academic adjustments, necessary accommodations, and/or auxiliary aids
• Meet with instructors ideally at the beginning of the semester to show your DSPS Academic Accommodations Plan (AAP), discuss accommodations, and develop a working relationship that will facilitate learning
• Uphold and follow the college's code of student conduct. Violations of such rules are disciplinary actions which are to be administered by appropriate authorities. Citrus College has established due process. For more information, visit the Citrus College Student Conduct and Discipline​ website.

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).

• Consult with DSPS to clarify student requests for accommodations, academic adjustments, and/or auxiliary aids and services
• Uphold all expectations for classroom behavior and academic performance equally for all students
• Consult with DSPS when faculty or staff have questions or concerns about the way in which the accommodation is to be provided

• Ensure all instructional materials are in an accessible format
• Provide accommodations in a fair and timely manner when the student has shown the instructor their official DSPS Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP)
• Maintain confidentiality when working with students with disabilities
• Promote equal educational opportunity to all students without regard to race, religion, gender, ability, or age
• Use only nondiscriminatory procedures to teach and evaluate the essential requirements of a course
• Determine the curricula of their courses and ensure that the proposed accommodations do not alter essential academic requirements
• Distinguish between content and activities that are essential to a course/program from those that are not essential and thus may be accommodated
• Cooperate with procedures established by DSPS or Testing Center, such as reviewing, signing, and returning forms for test accommodations, facilitating the use of notes assistance, or reserving adapted furniture for qualified students in the classroom, etc.
• Announce in class and on the syllabus that accommodations for disability-related needs are available on request.

  Instructors may use the following statement on their course syllabi:
  "Citrus College is committed to equal opportunities in education for all students. This includes students with documented disabilities. To qualify for support services, including reasonable accommodations, a student must self-identify and present disability verification from an appropriate, qualified professional to the office of Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS). Review the DSPS website, call DSPS at (626) 914-8675, or visit the DSPS office in SS133 for more information.

  "If you are registered with DSPS and would like to utilize your accommodations in this course, please email me your Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP). You may also present a copy to me after class or during office hours. Students are encouraged to provide the AAP to the instructor as early as possible to ensure accommodations will be facilitated in a timely manner. Feel free to contact me if you would like to schedule a meeting to further discuss your educational needs and accommodations. Lastly, if you have any accessibility issues with course materials, please contact me or DSPS."

• The college is not required by law to provide aides, services, or devices for personal use of study, nor is it required to design special academic programs for students with disabilities.
• Neither the Americans with Disabilities Act, nor Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, requires the college to alter admissions or graduation requirements. Accommodations are determined individually based on the educational limitations provided in the disability verification documentation.
• Uphold the Student Code of Conduct for ALL students

• Not discriminate against an individual solely on the basis of disability
• Provide a student who has a verified disability, reasonable accommodations and/or auxiliary aids to afford the student equal opportunity and access to participate in the college'​s programs, activities, and services. Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) is the vehicle by which the institution provides accommodations to students although official participation is voluntary.