DSC Policies & Procedures

Any documentation that the student provides to the DSC is confidential and will not be released in any form by DSC unless written permission is provided by the student. The only exception to this is when students may need or request certain accommodations and services via the DSC.

The student requesting or using these services understands that DSC may verify with faculty or departments that the student has an illness/injury and is currently registered with the DSC. The DSC may also communicate the accommodations currently being provided. Legally, the University may be required to disclose disability related information in the event of official disability discrimination complaint investigations by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and other related federal investigation agencies, or in compliance with judicial orders and properly executed subpoenas.

The DSC adheres to the Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, and other University policy and procedures which implement law protecting students’ rights to privacy. Students should refer to the UCI General Catalogue for general information concerning student record policy; the DSC retains confidential student records for seven years from the last date of attendance. Also, periodic updates and additional documentation may be required by the DSC.

The UC Irvine statement from the University Registrar regarding privacy and student records can be found here:
PRIVACY and STUDENT RECORDS.

UCI’s interim policy regarding Emotional Support Animals in Housing can be found here.

The procedure for applying for an Emotional Support Animal in UCI Housing is as follows:

1. Complete the DSC Intake Form. In the final section there is a statement that reads “I am requesting.” Check the box for emotional support animal for UCI housing.
2. Once you submit, you will be prompted to fill out documentation (Veterinary Health Form and a Health Care or Social Services Provider Form) and to click a link to apply for ESA Housing.
3. Complete and submit the ESA Application and wait for a response from the Review Committee.

Questions can be sent to ESAinHousing@uci.edu.

Accessibility on campus is everyone’s responsibility. DSC encourages all UCI students, staff, faculty, and community members to report accessibility barriers and discrimination. Below are options for reporting complaints or grievances related to disability at UCI. Each of these offices may provide referrals to other resources depending on the nature of the complaint or inquiry.

Disability Services Center (DSC)

UCI Disability Services Center
Continuing Education 3, Bldg #234
Pereira Drive
Irvine, CA 92697-5250
949.824.7494
dsc@uci.edu

Most concerns or issues can be resolved quickly after reporting to the Disability Services Center. DSC works directly with students, staff, and faculty across campus to address accessibility and academic accommodations for students. If there is a problem that is beyond the scope of DSC, a referral can be made to an appropriate office.

With U For U Mobile App

UCI strives to provide an environment accessible to all members of and visitors to the UCI community. Should you encounter a barrier to access to a university program, service, digital content, building, path, or other right of way, please report the accessibility issue to the ADA Coordinator or through the app. For access issues related to the UCI Health System (hospital, clinics), contact Patient Experience by email or call 714-456-7004.

Facilities Management

949.824.5444
fmavc@uci.edu

The best way to report facilities related problems, such as an out of service elevator or broken automatic door button, is to contact Facilities Management.

Office of the Ombudsman

205 Multipurpose Science and Technology Building (MSTB)
Irvine, CA 92697-4325
949.824.7256

The Office of the Ombudsman is an alternate channel for confidential, neutral and informal dispute resolution services for the UC Irvine campus and medical center. The office is designed to resolve complaints, concerns or problems before a grievance has been filed or an attorney or union representative has been retained.

Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity (OEOD)

oeod@uci.edu
OEOD Discrimination / Sexual Harassment Hotline 949.824.7037

UC Irvine Campus
103 Multipurpose Science and Technology Building (MSTB)
Irvine, CA 92697-1130
949.824.5594

UC Irvine Medical Center
3800 West Chapman Ave
Suite 7601
Orange, CA 92868
949.824.5594

OEOD is responsible for the University’s compliance with federal and state laws and University policies and procedures regarding discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, and sex offenses. OEOD has an ADA Coordinator, who oversee UCI’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202
1.800.421.3481
ocr@ed.gov

Under requirements of the ADA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, individuals with disabilities also have a right to file a complaint with OCR in the U.S. Department of Education, or pursue legal action through the federal court system.

UCI is committed to excellence through diversity and provides equal opportunity in its admissions, employment, programs, and services in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws. Inquiries regarding the University’s student-related non-discrimination policies may be directed to:

Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity (OEOD)

oeod@uci.edu
OEOD Discrimination / Sexual Harassment Hotline 949.824.7037

UC Irvine Campus
103 Multipurpose Science and Technology Building (MSTB)
Irvine, CA 92697-1130
949.824.5594

UC Irvine Medical Center
3800 West Chapman Ave
Suite 7601
Orange, CA 92868
949.824.5594

1. During Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer Quarters, the test center hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Exams must be finished by 4:45 pm.*
2. Exams must be scheduled at least 5 business days in advance. Business days for the Disability Services Center (DSC) are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the DSC of all exam dates and times for all classes at least 5 business days prior to the time of the exam, every single quarter. Students should check their MyDSC account to confirm all exam information has been received.
3. It is the responsibility of the student to send an Accommodations Letter to Faculty/Staff for each course. DSC strongly encourages students to send Accommodations Letters prior to the end of Week 2 and/or after adding a class. Exams will not be proctored unless an accommodations letter has been sent.
4. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the Testing Coordinator, via email, at least 5 business days in advance if there are any changes in exam dates.
5. Exams will be given at the scheduled date and time as indicated on the student’s MyDSC account. Students who are late (up to 20 minutes) will forfeit the time they missed and will be provided with the scheduled time remaining, unless otherwise noted through accommodations. If the student arrives more than 20 minutes late, they must work with the faculty to reschedule the exam, except in the case of disability-related emergencies.
6. It is strongly recommended that students arrive 10-15 minutes prior to their scheduled testing time.
7. Testing areas are monitored by video and/or staff. Testing irregularities and suspected academic dishonesty will be reported to the student’s faculty and UCI Office of Academic Integrity & Student Conduct.
8. Students must sign in at the front desk for check-in and show photo identification prior to taking the exam.
9. Students are encouraged to use the bathroom prior to beginning exams. If the student needs to leave the testing room for any reason, they must notify the test proctor/staff immediately.
10. Only approved testing materials will be allowed in the testing room.
11. No electronic devices or personal belongings (i.e. cell phones, smart watches, backpacks, purses, hats, etc.) are allowed in the testing room, unless it is an approved accommodation. At satellite testing locations, personal belongings will be placed in a designated area. DSC is not responsible for any damage or loss to students’ personal property. DSC reserves the right to silence any devices that are making noise during testing.
12. Once the exam starts, if the student has any questions or concerns regarding the exam, please inform DSC staff immediately. DSC staff will not clarify or answer any content-related exam questions. If there are content-related questions, DSC will make every effort to contact the instructor. If an instructor is unavailable, students are encouraged to continue the exam and write their question(s) down. Any written questions will be included with testing materials sent back to the instructor following the exam.
13. DSC recommends that you check your time prior to beginning your remote proctored exam to ensure that your extended time is reflected. If your extended time isn’t reflected, do not take your exam and immediately email/contact your professor and cc your DSC counselor indicating that there is a problem with your extended time.*
14. DSC staff and proctors may come into any and all testing locations at any time.
15. Scribes and readers that are related to approved accommodations may accompany a student into testing locations. Personal care attendants may also accompany a student into a testing location to assist only with activities of daily living and cannot be present while the student is actively completing the exam.
16. Contact the instructor and DSC immediately if you are unable to take an exam due to disability-related reasons. Students are responsible for coordinating make-up and rescheduled exams with instructors.
17. Faculty must approve student requests in writing electronically to take exams/quizzes at a different time than the rest of the class. Make-up exams must be completed by 4:45 pm Monday-Friday.
18. Students must submit all testing materials at the scheduled end time. Extra time will not be given for filling out scantrons or transferring answers/content.
19. If the student chooses to take the exam in class, DSC must be informed in advance.
20. If the student chooses to take the exam in the classroom, or with a faculty member, DSC approved accommodations are not guaranteed (with the exception of labs).
21. Exams/quizzes may be delayed if DSC has not received the testing materials in advance.
22. If an instructor gives pop quizzes in class, contact DSC at dsctesting@uci.edu. DSC staff will work with the student and instructor to accommodate pop quizzes on a case-by-case basis.
23. Students should notify DSC immediately after dropping a class.

*This is an update from previous policy as of 8/23/2023.

While the faculty of UCI views the learning of a foreign language to be an important component of your education, it recognizes that otherwise qualified students with disabilities may find the conditions of the UCI’s Foreign Language Requirement to be a barrier to degree completion.

Substitutions related to Foreign Language Requirements will be considered for students who have documented disabilities which affect their ability to learn a second or foreign language. If the request is granted, the student will work with Major Degree School Academic Advisor on approved substitution courses. According to the Americans With Disabilities Act, if the student is requesting a fundamental alteration of the program, the major degree school would not be obligated to grant the request.

A complete waiver of the Foreign Language Requirement is not granted by UCI/DSC.

The procedure for obtaining a foreign language requirement accommodation (substitution) includes the following:

1. The student must be registered with the Disability Services Center (DSC) and have on file or provide current documentation of how the student’s disability affects the ability to learn a foreign or second language. The documentation must specify the individual’s specific functional barriers and limitations that hinder the student’s ability to learn another language.
2. The student will submit a request for a foreign language accommodation (substitution) to the DSC.  The student should provide a narrative explaining the difficulties the student has had with learning a foreign language in relation to a disability.  A discussion of attempts to take a foreign language and resulting grades should be included. The student should have attempted at least one foreign language course with appropriate disability accommodations before submitting a substitution request.
3. The student may include a letter from a recent (high school, community college, or university) foreign language instructor supporting the need for a substitution.
4. The student will submit the completed packet to DSC for review. DSC will communicate its decision to the student and to the student’s Associate Dean or designee for consideration.  The Associate Dean or designee will respond to the student in a timely manner upon reaching a decision and include DSC in the communications.
5. The student must still complete program requirements by taking the approved substitute courses.
6. The student may begin to take substitute courses in the quarter following the decision of a foreign language requirement accommodation (substitution).