Disabled Students Program and Services (DSPS)
New Students!
START HERE Question (Q) I’m graduating from high school or entering Napa Valley College (NVC). In high school, middle or elementary school, I was in Special Education classes. Does Napa Valley College have Special Education classes? Answer (A) The college does not have Special Education classes. You will be enrolled in the same college classes as all students. The college has a program called Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) that will work with you to determine what kinds of accommodations you may need to assist you in being a successful college student. Q Accommodations? What are accommodations? A Accommodations are provided if you have a limitation in the educational setting as a result of your disability. Only qualified DSPS staff determine what accommodations will assist you. Examples of accommodations include: Extended time on tests Distraction reduced setting Note‐taking assistance in classes Reader or scribe on exams Recorded lectures Interpreters Preferential seating Spell check devices Calculators Digital talking books Speech to text (for writing) Priority registration Q Many of the accommodations seem like they would help me as a student. What’s the first thing I need to do to get accommodations? A
The first thing you need to do is (1) go to www.napavalley.edu and (2) under the
title ‘Admissions and Records,’ click on Apply to NVC Online. This will take you to a page with information about the online application. (3) go to the bottom of
the page and click on ‘Begin Application for Napa Valley College.’ Problems? If you have problems with the application, contact Jolie SanClair in our Welcome Center at 256‐7214 or email at, [email protected] Admissions and Records can also help at 256‐7215. We can always help you if you come to the college as well. The Welcome Center is in the 1300 building. Q What do I do after I have submitted my NVC application? A
Go to www.napavalley.edu/orientation and take the online orientation.
Q
A You are done with applying to the college, but now you need to apply for the DSPS program. This program allows you to work with staff each semester to determine what classes to take and what accommodations you may need. The next step is to contact one of the DSPS staff and make an appointment. Call:
Sheryl Fernandez‐DSPS Counselor at 256‐7220
Or
Nancy McEnery‐Workability III Counselor 256‐7371 [email protected]
Or
Karen Travis‐DSPS Specialist at 256‐7348 or [email protected]
Or If you know you have a learning disability, you can contact Barbara Benson at 256‐7442 or [email protected] Q I don’t really know the name of my disability. Who should I contact? A Contact Karen Travis at 256‐7348 or Barbara Benson at 256‐7442. Tell them you are trying to get into the DSPS program and need help. They will get you where you need to go. Q OK. I turned in my NVC application, completed the online orientation and made an appointment with Sheryl, Karen or Barbara. What do I do now? A Ask your Special Education teachers, your parents and your doctor(s) for any documentation of your disability. This includes IEPs, 504 Plans, testing results and doctor’s documents. DSPS staff need this documentation to verify your disability and determine what accommodations will work for you.
Q What is going to happen at the appointment? Can I just leave the paperwork and go? The DSPS staff will begin the DSPS application process through doing an intake with you. The appointment may last an hour. During this time staff will verify your disability, determine accommodations, ask you to sign a release of information form and Student Educational Contract. Or, you may do some of the intake process and be asked to return for another appointment for testing or to meet with the DSPS counselor or Learning Disabilities Specialist. You can’t leave the paperwork and go! Sorry! Q My parents have always attended the IEPs and meetings in the past. Should I bring my parents? A Although your parents attended meetings in the past, you are an adult (if you are 18 years old). You do not have to bring your parents and are even encouraged to begin the process of advocating for yourself. At your first meeting, you will be asked to sign a Confidentiality and Release of Information form. Information provided to us is confidential. The college will not release your information without your permission. This includes to your parents. Even if your parents call us, we cannot talk to them about you without your permission. Q I don’t have all of the documentation of my disability. What should I do?
A If you have received services for a disability while in school, go ahead and make an appointment for the DSPS intake process with Sheryl, Karen or Barbara. Our staff can help you figure out what you need for documentation. If you were in the Workability program in high school, contact Malia Palu. Q I had a learning disability in high school. Do I have to be retested in college? A Yes, we recommend that you be retested for your learning disability in college. The college uses adult testing that is different from the testing you took in kindergarten through 12th grade (K‐12). We’ve also found that many K‐12 students don’t know a lot about their disability or their learning strengths and challenges. Testing will allow you to meet with a Learning Disabilities Specialist to complete an overview of your learning needs. Go ahead and make an appointment to do the DSPS application process. We will assist you in the next step. Q Can I get accommodations in college classes while I go through testing for learning disabilities at the college? A If we have documentation of your learning disability, and you have completed the DSPS application process, accommodations can temporarily be provided. Q Ok. So, I turned in my NVC application, did the online orientation, and met with the DSPS staff, and I’m enrolled in DSPS. What now?
A You should go the Testing and Tutoring Center in room 1764 on the top floor of the McCarthy Library building (1700) to take your English and math placement tests. These tests determine the starting level of English and math classes. Many disabilities require extended time for testing as an accommodation. The appointment with Sheryl, Nancy, Karen or Barbara will determine if you get extra time on the placement tests. They will provide you with this information. They will also let the Testing and Tutoring Center know that you get extra time. Q I finished the placement tests. What do I do now? A Sheryl Fernandez can assist you with enrolling in classes. You can schedule an appointment at 256‐7220. If you’re in the Workability III program (WAIII), Nancy McEnery will help you. Nancy is the counselor for WAIII. You can schedule an appointment by calling Malia Palu at 256‐7371 Q Wow! I’m enrolled in college classes! How do my professors know that I have accommodations? A Karen Travis, Barbara Benson and Malia Palu will help you get notifications to each of your professors about your accommodations. If you have a learning disability, Barbara Benson at 256‐7442 will help you. Or, stop by Learning Services in room 1766. If you’re in WAIII, contact Malia at 256‐7371 or visit in room 1769.
Other disabilities, contact Karen Travis 256‐7348 in building 1300. Q What happens if I need help during the semester?
