DISABLED STUDENT SERVICES
Students with mobility, hearing, visual, functional (HIV/AIDS, psychological, environmental
illness, etc.), and learning disabilities are encouraged to attend San Francisco State.
Disabled Student Services (DSS) is available to promote and provide equal access to the
classroom and to campus related activities. A full range of support services is provided in
order that students may define and achieve personal autonomy at SFSU. The staff is
sensitive to the diversity of disabilities, including those only recently recognized as
disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation.
Confidential support services are available for all students with a verified temporary or
permanent disability who are regularly enrolled or enrolled through the Extended
Learning Program.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Prospective students are encouraged to contact DSS early in the admission process in
order to receive assistance and information about services. Students may be eligible for
one or more services, depending on the specific nature of their disabilities. Disability
verification must be provided when registering with DSS. Specific services include the
following:
Registration Assistance and Priority Registration
Classroom Accommodations
- Test Accommodations
- Notetaking Assistance
- Laboratory Assistance
Mobility Services
- Parking Permits
- Orientation and Mobility Training
- The Cindy Kolb Shuttle Service (on-campus only)
Deaf Services
- Sign Language Interpreters
- Computer-assisted notetaking/real-time captioning for late deafened adults
- Assistive listening devices
Print Access
- Reader Services
- Access Technology
Learning Disability Services
- Assessment of eligibility for learning disability support services is available. However, there
is a waiting list for this service.
- Tutoring for students with specific learning disabilities
Access Technology
NOTE: The available access technology includes adaptive computers that have
enlarged text and voice output programs, a Kurzweil Personal Reader, electronic spellers,
and CCTVs. These items are primarily housed in the Maurice K. Schiffman Room which is
located off the Reserve Book Room of the J. Paul Leonard Library.
All students registered with DSS are eligible for disability management advising. This
consists of helping students access services from DSS and the campus at large, manage
DSS services and school in general, problem solve conflicts/concerns that are disability-
related with individuals, programs, and services on campus, and understand "reasonable
accommodation" under the law. Disability-related personal counseling is also available
during the Fall and Spring semesters and is provided by the DSS intern program.
DSS has established liaisons with campus offices frequently used by students with
disabilities. DSS also provides information to interested faculty and departments on a
variety of disability-related issues.
ACCESS
DSS and the Office of the 503/504 Physical and Environmental Disability Coordinator seize
every opportunity to educate the campus community about reasonable
accommodations for students with disabilities. Generally, the campus community is
sensitive, but if an oversight occurs, students do have protection under the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, Section 504. Students are encouraged to contact the DSS Director for
guidance in pursuing a grievance. Resolution of a violation can often be achieved
informally without completing the formal grievance procedure.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For more information, contact Disabled Student Services at 338-2472 (Voice), 338-7174
(TTY) from 8:00-5:00, Monday through Friday. General information can also be obtained
by calling the DSS Information Line at 338-3056 (Voice). It is easily accessed from any
touch tone phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please note the DSS Information
Line provides recorded information only. Persons interested in visiting the office should
come to Temporary Building I-2 (between the Library and Administration buildings) during
the above hours.