Students with disabilities are as diverse as any population on campus. Estimates suggest that around 10% of undergraduates have a disability. It is important not to make assumptions about a student based on their accommodations.
Approved accommodations from the DSC are designed to remove disability related barriers, not fundamentally alter a course or change student learning objectives. If you have questions for the DSC or student accommodations, you can reach us at dsc@uci.edu or by calling 949.824.7494.
Manage Your Course
The DSC Portal allows instructors to manage & view a list of students enrolled in their course who have accommodations. Instructors can also input testing information into the DSC system for in-person testing.
Accommodation Letters
This sample Accommodations Letter gives you an idea of what you can expect to receive if there is a student in your class who requires accommodations. You will receive an Accommodations Letter for each student in your class with accommodations. If you have any questions about Accommodation Letters, contact the DSC.
Due to stigma and other factors, some students with disabilities choose not to register with the DSC. While we recognize that some students are hesitant to register with the office, we strongly recommend that faculty do not provide unofficial disability related accommodations to students. If you have questions about how to navigate requests for accommodations that have not come through an official Accommodations Letter, please reach out.
Definitions
The list of Accommodation Definitions can help give you a better understanding of the accommodations you see in Accommodation Letters. Accommodations are approved through an interactive process that takes place between a Disability counselor and every student registered with the DSC. If you have questions about an accommodation you should contact the Disability counselor named in the Accommodation Letter you received.
Furniture
Occasionally, DSC will request Facilities deliver specific furniture to the classroom to provide student access. This can be a table and chair, an adjustable height table, a podium, or other types of furniture. Please do not remove this furniture from the classroom. Most of the furniture that DSC places has an electronic device to be easily located if moved from the classroom, but your assistance would be most appreciated.
Referring Students to the DSC
A referral to DSC may be appropriate if a student discloses any of the following:
- They have recently received a new diagnosis or they need medical absences
- They are having difficulty reading or comprehending coursework
- They are having medication side effects that make school difficult
- They are having difficulty paying attention in class or taking notes
- They are the last to finish exams, and do not complete them
- They are seeing a therapist but still feel overwhelmed by academic demands
How to refer a student to DSC without awkwardness:
- “I see that you are struggling, here are some resources on campus that might provide you with support…”
Give the student a list of two or three different campus resources. We have a list of common resources below. Choose whichever are appropriate, including DSC.
“You mentioned (a medical condition, learning disability, depression) have you registered with the Disability Services Center?”
Students can register online at dsc.uci.edu/register
Questions? Not sure if a referral would be appropriate? Give us a call at 949-824-7494. Disability Specialists are available for consultations.
Sensitivity and Confidentiality
Disability related information is confidential. Students are not required to share details about their disability with anyone outside of the DSC (and are only required to share with the DSC when requesting an accommodation). If a student discloses disability related information to you, do not share that information with others. If you have questions about a student or accommodation, please contact the DSC. Do not ask students questions about their disability, or why they need an accommodation.
Syllabus Statements
Including the DSC in your syllabus is a great way to show your support for students with disabilities, and point them in the direction of an important campus resource. We have two suggested statements that any instructor can add to their syllabus:
- University of California, Irvine is committed to providing a barrier free environment for persons with documented disabilities. If you have any questions about accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Center at 949-824-7494 or register online at www.dsc.uci.edu.
- At the University of California, Irvine, providing a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity for students with disabilities is a campus wide responsibility and commitment. The Disability Services Center (DSC) provides reasonable accommodations and connects students with other valuable campus resources. Accommodations are designed to remove barriers and ensure access to programs for all students with permanent or temporary disabilities. If you have any questions, please contact the DSC as soon as possible at 949-824-7494 or register online at www.dsc.uci.edu. Services are free and confidential.
Testing Accommodations
Our office is open for test proctoring from the hours of 8:00am-4:45pm. The DSC proctors exams that are being taken in-person on campus only. DSC will return exams to professors by 3 business days from the completion of the exam. Students must register their exams 5 business days in advance. If a student fails to register their exam with the DSC, instructors and TAs may proctor exams. If instructors would like to utilize the testing center, then the exam will be rescheduled to a future day. Additional common questions are answered in the Faculty FAQ.
The page, Why Testing Accommodations, also addresses how testing accommodations are determined and why they are important.
If you have additional questions about testing accommodations, contact DSC Testing, or call 949-824-7494.
Covid and other Illnesses
The DSC does not provide remote or alternate testing for students who are not registered with the DSC. Students can register with the DSC at any point in the year, but the intake process takes time and accommodations are not applied retroactively. This means that students who have an exam and test positive for Covid or other temporary illnesses should not be referred to the DSC for this reason.
Extra Time
Instructions on how to give student extra time on exams in Canvas. If you have a time limit on your exam, you can grant extended time for students with an accommodation.
Online Proctoring Services
If you use a proctoring tool and you have students who use assistive technology, please reach out to the DSC.
ProctorU
“How to Give Accommodations” on ProctorU
If you receive an accommodation letter related to testing, email support@proctoru.com prior to the scheduled exam(s).
Respondus LockDown Browser
“Is Lockdown Browser Accessible?”
Respondus details how their lockdown browser can be used with various assistive technologies.