Disabilities Support Program (DSP)

Students wishing to participate in and receive DSP services offered through the program are required to complete an intake application and required disability verification. Forms must be completed prior to participation in programs and/or services offered by the DSP   

Students who have temporary or permanent disabilities that affect academic performance may be eligible for support services. 

Ways to meet DSP Eligibility:  

1. Students receiving services through DSP must have a qualifying condition that is verified and is determined to result in an educational limitation by appropriate DSP professional staff. (Title 5 Regulations, Section 56006.) 

2. Eligible disabilities include Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), deaf and hard of hearing, autism spectrum, learning disability, blind and low vision, acquired brain injury, mental health, intellectual, physical disability, and any other disabilities which limit one or more major life activities, and which imposes an educational limitation (Title 5 Regulations, Section 56032-56044, 56002). 

Verification Documentation Examples: 

1. Examples of disability verification documentation: IEP, 504 Plan, LD Testing, Audiology Reports, Reports from a Hospital, Medical Professional, Veteran’s Hospital, and/or medical diagnosis sheet, etc.  

2. Students may not need to submit disability documentation if the disability can be verified by observation by certified DSP staff (e.g., wheelchair user, etc.). 

3. You can also use our EVC Disability Verification Form 

If you have any questions about DSP eligibility, please call DSP at (408) 270-6447.  

We are excited to have you be a part of the DSP at EVC!  Please complete the following steps to register with DSP.  

1. Apply to Evergreen Valley College    
   1. Evergreen Valley College Disabilities Support Program (DSP) services are only available to students who have applied to EVC and registered for DSP services.
   2. If you have not applied to EVC yet, please do so now Apply to EVC
2. Complete DSP Application     
   1. Fill out the make sure you fill out all applicable areas of the DSP Application.  If you would like a paper copy or alternate formats of our application, please contact DSP.  
3. Gather all Disability Verification Documentation.
   1. Please see the above section for more details on disability verification. Students must submit all necessary information and documentation before scheduling a DSP counseling appointment.
4. Submit your completed application and disability verification
   1. You can submit by email at:  evc.dsp@evc.edu
5. Schedule a DSP Counseling appointment
   1. After all the above steps are completed, your application and documents will be reviewed. Once a review is completed a DSP staff member will contact you within 1-2 business days to schedule an intake appointment with a DSP counselor or coordinator. If you do not hear from our office, please call 408.270.6447 to check on the status of your application. 

Need Assistance? 
If you have any questions about the steps above, please contact our DSP office during business hours at (408) 270-6447 or evc.dsp@evc.edu 

If you attend San Jose City College and you also attend, or plan on attending, Evergreen Valley College, please be aware that even though the two colleges are part of the same district, they are still separate colleges. If you want services through the Disabilities Support Program (DSP) at Evergreen Valley College you must first: 

1. Apply to Evergreen Valley College. 

2. Apply to the DSP at Evergreen Valley College (see details above) – even if you receive services through Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at San Jose City College.

EVC DSP students enrolled in English 1000C, Eng 1B, Eng 1001C, ESL 380, or ESL 390 (Fall 2025) wanting to take their English Department Final with testing accommodations at the DSP office, please note:

• Students must sign-up to test at the DSP using the sign-up form link below.

• It is the student’s responsibility to sign up for the finals before the deadline

• If you do not plan to test with DSP no sign-up is required.

EVC DSP Fall 2025 English Finals Sign Up Link

Deadline: Wednesday, Nov 19, 2025, by 5:00 pm (No Exceptions).

After the deadline, DSP will share the list of registered students with English instructors. On exam day, you must arrive at DSP at your assigned time to take the English Department Final.

Questions?
Call: 408-270-6447
Email: evc.dsp@evc.edu

The Evergreen Valley College Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP) is a confidential document outlining a student’s accommodation or adjustments approved to support the student in a course. Students will have a copy of their AAP emailed and/or provided in paper copy by their DSP Counselor or Coordinator after their DSP Intake. Please see DSP if additional copies are needed.

DSP students are responsible for sending their AAP to their instructors for each course for each semester. Students can notify their instructors of their accommodations by emailing their Academic Accommodation Plan to their instructors at least 1 week before the semester starts.  

NOTE: Accommodations are not retroactive. While students can apply for accommodations anytime during the semester, please keep in mind accommodations begin only after you have completed the DSP New Student Intake process AND faculty receive a copy of your AAP.  

Below is an optional email template for students' convenience.  

Subject:  [Class - Course Number - Section Number, First Name Last Name, Student ID DSP Accommodations]

example: [ COMS - 20 - 1234 John Doe, 1234567 DSP Accommodations]  

Message:  

Hello [Instructor Name]

My name is [First and Last Name] and I am in your [Class and course number] this semester. Attached is my Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP) which details all of my accommodations for this semester. Please reply when you get a chance so I can confirm you have received my AAP. 

Online Exams:  

• If you have an online class, email your  AAP  and your instructor will add your extra time on Canvas.  

In Person Exams: 

• If you would like to use your extra time on exams or quizzes, stop by the DSP office to get a green testing sheet. You can pick up your testing sheet, give it to your instructor and they will fill it out with your exam details, once it is complete you will give it back to our office and we'll schedule your exam.  You can get a copy of your testing sheet from DSP.
• DSP needs at least 7 business days to schedule and confirm your exam.  

DSP Testing Hours

• Monday: 9 am - 2 pm
• Tuesday: 2 pm -5 pm
• Wednesday: 2 pm - 7 pm
• Thursday and Friday:  9 am - 2 pm
  
  • *Please note on Friday's exams can end at 2 pm, but the front desk and other office appointments are closed after 1 pm. 

Fall 2024 Testing and Office Closures: The DSP will be closed during the below times in Fall 2024. 

Testing Information for Nursing Students Only: 

As a nursing student in NURS 010, 011A, 011B, 012, 013, 014A, or 014B, your DSP testing process will look different than your other classes. You will need to send your instructor a copy of your AAP and let them know you would like to use your DSP testing accommodations for your nursing exams. It is best to do this over email so your instructor and DSP can refer back to if needed. Then your instructor will notify DSP with the exam dates/times and will provide your exam to DSP.

DSP will then schedule your nursing exam(s) dates/times and will advise you and your instructor via email.  If you have not heard from DSP to confirm your testing appointment(s) with scheduled dates/times) in DSP, at least 2 weeks prior to your exam I would follow up with your instructor and DSP. 

If you have been approved for Notetaking Express, Audio Recorders, or a Smart Pen on your AAP, you can request your technology using this request form.

If you have been approved for E-text or other alternative formats such as enlarged text or braille, you can make your request using this request form. Note: You will need to use your EVC Student email to complete this request.

Please see the DSP if you need any support completing the above forms.

If you have any questions regarding your alternative media request, you can email our Adaptive Media Technology Specialist - david.micetich@evc.edu. 

If you have been approved for adaptive furniture, please email your name, student ID #, class schedule and type of adaptive furniture needed (i.e. lift table, ergonomic chair, separate desk/chair, bean bag, etc.) to Debbie Collins at debra.collins@evc.edu as soon as you register for your class. 

ASL Interpreting and Captioning services are approved by EVC DSP as part of a student's Academic Plan created during the intake process. Scheduling ASL interpreters or captioners requires advance notice.

Students are highly encouraged to plan and request interpreting services as early as possible by utilizing priority registration and scheduling an appointment to see an academic counselor to plan and register for classes. After you have registered for classes, you can request ASL interpreting or captioning services at the time of Priority Registration or no later than 2 weeks after Priority Registration. If you are not able turn your request in by that time, please contact DSP as soon as possible.  ASL Interpreters and Captioners are assigned based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to staffing availability, skills, knowledge, and ability level as well as the individual communication needs of each student. The DSP will make every effort to honor student preferences for a particular ASL interpreter or Captioner; however, EVC DSP does not guarantee that a specific ASL interpreter or Captioner will be assigned or available.  

How to arrange Interpreting Services:  

Schedule an appointment with the DSP counselor or the DSP Coordinator.  Your DSP counselor or coordinator will approve ASL interpreting or captioning services based on appropriate disability verification. EVC DSP utilizes ASL interpreters and captioners from our college district pool as well as remote ASL interpreters/captioners from SignGlasses. Contact is Debbie Collins or DSP Coordinator to schedule a SignGlasses on boarding session.  

SignGlasses:

EVC DSP uses SignGlassses to more efficiently schedule online or in person interpreters for students. SignGlasses is a platform that allows students to request interpreting services for remote ASL Interpreting and captioning or in person EVC ASL Interpreting and captioning. Note: In person interpreters and captioning is based on availability and scheduling.  SignGlasses also offers a different option for ASL interpreting which includes special glasses worn by the student where ASL interpretation is received and viewed via the glasses. Check out the video below for more information.  

To request interpreters or captioners for classes:  

Email your class schedule prior to each semester or session you are planning on taking classes at EVC. Send the email to Debbie Collins debra.collins@evc.edu. Please include:  student name, student ID #, what semester (Fall, Spring, Summer, or Winter) and which class(es) you are registered for. ASL interpreter or captioner class requests are highly preferred to be submitted at the time of Priority Registration (Mid-April for Summer/Fall and Mid-November for Intersession/Spring or shortly thereafter, but no later than 4 weeks prior to the beginning of the summer/fall and intersession/spring semesters.  If not submitted by the dates noted below, there is not a guarantee that an interpreter or captioner will be available or assigned to student's classes at the start of the semester/session. For intersession session and spring semester (January start times) -- ASL interpreting or captioning class requests must be submitted no later than December 1st.  For summer session (June start date) -- ASL interpreting or captioning class requests must be submitted no later than May 1st and fall semester (August start date) -- ASL interpreting or captioning requests must be submitted no later than July 1st. Once ASL Interpreting or captioning assignment is submitted via email to Debbie Collins, it is the responsibility of the student to notify Debbie Collins if there are any changes to class schedules or ASL interpreting or captioning requests as soon as possible or in a reasonable amount of time, prior to the start of the interpreting or captioning services.

To request interpreters for all other approved campus services and/or events:  

Interpreter Requests must be made through Sign Glasses Portal.  Submit request one week in advance of the scheduled appointment or event.  

Absences:  

Students must notify Debbie Collins at debra.collins@evc.edu if they are not able to make their class or scheduled meetings with an ASL interpreter or Captioner. Cancellations must be made at least 72 hours (about 3 days) in advance to not count as a no show.  If a student is absent for three consecutive class sessions and/or interpreting meeting and has not submitted prior notification to Debbie Collins at debra.collins@evc.edu or the DSP Coordinator, the interpreter will automatically be reassigned to another class or assignment. There will be a reevaluation to consider reinstating interpreting services which are handled on an individual basis with the DSP Coordinator.  

The first week of each class session, interpreters will wait 30 minutes to allow for students to arrive who may be running late due to unforeseen circumstances. On the second week and thereafter, if the student has not arrived after 20 minutes, the interpreter may be reassigned to another class. If an interpreter is absent for their assignment, the DSP will notify the student of arrangements.  

Concerns:  

If a student has a concern about an interpreter, the student is encouraged to meet with the assigned interpreter to resolve the issue. If the student does not feel comfortable meeting with the interpreter to resolve the issue, the student is encouraged to contact the DSP Coordinator for assistance. Requests for a change of interpreter should be directed to the DSP Coordinator.  

Tips:

Students are highly encouraged to use the DSP priority registration period to allow reasonable time to establish accommodation. Late and/or last-minute Interpreting Service Requests (ISRs) will be expedited as quickly as possible as staffing allows. Please note there is no guarantee that an interpreter or Captioner can be scheduled with late notice. 

DSP students can get private one-on-one DSP Tutoring either in the DSP or Online. In order to make an appointment with a DSP tutor, students must be part of the DSP. If you are part of the DSP, you can make free tutoring appointments in the DSP or by calling us at (408) 270-6447. If you have tutoring-related questions, please email evc.dsp@evc.edu

DSP Tutoring is offered in Fall and Spring semesters only. Please check back in August 2024 for Fall 2024 tutoring schedule. 

Additional tutoring options can be found through general tutoring. Check out the EVC Tutoring website for more details.  

**Services offered through the Disabilities Support Program comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; Sections 504 and 508 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and Title V of the California Code of Regulations.**

DSP offers 2 adapted PE classes. 

• PED 22A – Adapted Cross Training
  This course is designed to provide an individualized program for overall fitness for the student with a documented disability. The goal is to provide the student with the means to improve the health related components of fitness through a variety of fitness activities.
• PED 56A – Adapted Strength Training
  This course is designed to provide an individualized muscle strength and conditioning program for the student with a documented disability. The student will learn proper skills and techniques and how to adapt fitness equipment to enhance muscle strength and endurance.

If you have any questions, please contact the Adapted PE instructor Ramin Naderi at ramin.naderi@evc.edu or EVC DSP at (408) 270-6447. 

**Services offered through the Disabilities Support Program comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; Sections 504 and 508 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and Title V of the California Code of Regulations.**

Participation in the Disability Support Program and Services (DSPS) is voluntary. To receive academic accommodations and services, students share responsibility in ensuring equal access and maintaining effective use of services.

• Self-Identification and registration with the DSP:
  Students with disabilities are responsible for self-identifying and applying for DSP services. This includes providing any relevant disability verification documentation and completing the DSP intake Process to develop an Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP).
• Follow College Student Code of Conduct:
  Students are expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct established by the college.
• Follow DSP policies and procedures to timely request and responsibly use DSP Services and equipment
  • Students are expected to be responsible in their use of DSP services and equipment and adhere to written policies and procedures adopted by DSP
  • Students enrolled in educational assistance classes should make measurable progress toward the goals developed for the course as established in the student's Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP)
  • Students enrolled in general college classes, are to meet academic standards established by the college, as applied to all students
     

Voluntary Registration with DSP: Participation in Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) shall be entirely voluntary.

Equal Access: Receiving support services or instruction authorized through DSP shall not preclude participation in any other course, program, or activity offered by the college.

Confidentiality: All personal and disability-related information provided to the Disability Support Program (DSP) is kept strictly confidential in compliance with Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Information may be shared only with authorized college personnel who have a legitimate educational need to know or, when required, with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office or other state or federal agencies. Any such disclosure is made solely in accordance with confidentiality statutes and regulations.

No information will be released to other parties without the student’s informed written consent, except as required by law.

Right to file a Grievance: 
Students have the right to file a complaint or appeal if they believe their rights or disability accommodations have been denied; Receive help from DSP staff in understanding and following the college grievance procedures; Be protected from retaliation for exercising their rights.
 

If a student participating in the Disabilities Support Program (DSP) believes an accommodation has been inappropriately denied, adjusted, or not implemented or if they have encountered discrimination based on their disability status, they have the right to seek resolution through the following grievance process.

Informal Complaint Resolution Process

1. Students are encouraged to first discuss the concern with the concerned DSP Counselor, Specialist, or staff to seek an informal resolution if they feel comfortable doing so
2. If the issue cannot be resolved at that level, the student should contact the DSP Coordinator or Director for review.
3. Every effort will be made to resolve the issue promptly and equitably within ten (10) working days of the initial report.

Formal Complaint Resolution Process
If the concern remains unresolved through the informal resolution process, or if the student so chooses they may file a formal written complaint. Please visit EVC Student Complaint Procedures webpage to follow the process of filing a formal complaint by submitting the student complaint form. 

Office of Civil Rights (OCR) complaint
Students also have the right to file a grievance with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) if no mutual satisfactory agreement can be agreed upon.
 

Faculty are required by law to provide approved reasonable accommodation per the student's individualized Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP). EVC's certificated staff identify appropriate academic accommodations and/or auxiliary aids through an interactive process to develop the Academic Accommodation Plan to address the student's disability related barriers and allow equal access. Compliance does not require lowering or substantially modifying academic or program standards, or fundamentally altering the integrity of a program or course curriculum.  

Please consult with the Disabilities Support Program (DSP) Coordinator if you have questions or concerns about any approved accommodations per a student's academic accommodation plan.

You can visit the U.S. Department of Education to read about protecting students with disabilities as mandated by Section 504 and the American's with Disabilities Act.
 

/support-resources/faculty-staff-resourcesYour documents and presentations need to meet current accessibility standards.  Online lectures and videos must be captioned. The EVC Faculty & Staff page is a great resource page, and you can also check out the IOTL Canvas Course for faculty which includes accessibility workshop videos and training.  

Other Online Accessibility Training Resources:  

• EVC Training:  
  Setting up DSP Assessment Accommodations in Canvas 
• California Community Colleges Accessibility Center:
  Self-Paced Accessibility Courses

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• FERPA, Right to Privacy Act