How to get disability accommodations at a California college

This page is general information, not legal advice. For K to 12 students, see Special education services for your child in California. For work, see Asking for changes at work because of a disability or health condition.

Do I have a right to accommodations if I am undocumented?

Yes. The disability rights laws below do not make immigration status a condition. Federal law bans disability discrimination at colleges that get federal education funds, and Title II of the ADA covers public colleges whether or not they get federal funds (OCR). That includes all public colleges and most private ones. At California community colleges, a "student with a disability" for DSPS is a person enrolled at the college with a verified disability that limits a major life activity and causes an educational limitation (5 CCR 56002). Status is not part of that definition.

California laws, including the Unruh Civil Rights Act and Government Code 11135, can add more protection (Legal Aid at Work).

The disability office does not need your immigration status to help you. For your privacy on campus, see ICE, college records and your rights on a California campus.

How is college different from high school?

This surprises many families. The U.S. Department of Education explains the key differences (ED guidance):

Telling the college about your disability is your choice. But if you want accommodations, you must tell the disability office and follow its process.

How do I ask for accommodations?

1. Find the disability office. Search your college website for "DSPS," "disability" or "accessibility." Admissions staff and counselors can also point you there.
2. Ask early. Some accommodations, like sign language interpreters or accessible textbooks, take time to arrange. Apply as soon as you are admitted, before you register for classes if you can.
3. Fill out the intake form and send your documents (see below).
4. Meet with a counselor or specialist. This is a conversation. Explain how your disability affects school: reading, tests, attendance, focus, getting around campus, using a computer.
5. Agree on a plan. At community colleges, this is your Academic Accommodation Plan, made between you and certificated DSPS staff (5 CCR 56022). Other colleges use letters or online systems.
6. Tell your instructors. Many colleges send an accommodation letter or notice. Talk to each instructor early in the term about how it will work.
7. Renew each term if your college requires it.

What kinds of accommodations can I get?

The Department of Education lists examples (ED guidance):

• Extended time on tests
• Priority registration
• Reduced course load
• Course substitutions
• Note takers or recording devices
• Sign language interpreters
• Screen reading or voice recognition software
• Accessible housing at the same cost, if the college offers housing

The college cannot charge you for an accommodation.

What colleges do not have to do: lower essential requirements, change what a test measures, make changes that would fundamentally alter a program, or create an undue financial or administrative burden. They also do not have to provide personal attendants, personal devices, personal readers, or personal services like tutoring or typing. Many colleges offer free tutoring to all students, though, so ask.

What papers do I need?

Colleges can ask for proof that you have a disability and need an accommodation. The Department of Education says documentation often comes from a qualified professional and covers (ED guidance):

• Your diagnosis and how it was made
• The professional's credentials
• How the disability limits a major life activity
• How it affects your schoolwork

If your papers are not enough, the college should tell you quickly what else it needs.

At community colleges, DSPS staff can verify a disability by observing you, assessing you, or reviewing outside records from licensed professionals or agencies (5 CCR 56006). Ask DSPS whether it can assess you if you have no recent records.

Need a new evaluation? Neither your high school nor your college must pay for one. The Department of Education says you may qualify for a free evaluation through your state vocational rehabilitation agency. In California that is the Department of Rehabilitation. Its application asks about employment eligibility, such as citizenship, permanent residence or work authorization (DOR application form DR222, rev. 05/20). If you do not have work authorization, ask your college disability office about other low cost testing options.

Does my high school IEP or 504 plan carry over?

Not automatically. An IEP or 504 plan can help show what worked for you before, but the Department of Education says it is generally not enough on its own (ED guidance). Bring it anyway, along with any evaluations, medical records or letters. Ask your high school for copies before you graduate.

What if an accommodation is not working?

Tell the disability office as soon as you notice. Do not wait until the end of the term. The Department of Education says students should speak up right away so the problem can be fixed in time (ED guidance).

Common problems:

• An instructor refuses to give extended time. Contact the disability office right away.
• Captions or materials come late. Ask the office to step in.
• Your needs changed. Ask to update your plan.

What if the college says no?

You have options. Go in order:

1. Ask why, in writing. Ask what more you could provide or what other option would work.
2. Talk to the college's Section 504 or ADA coordinator. Every college has someone responsible for disability compliance.
3. Use the college's grievance procedure. It must let you raise concerns fully and fairly and get a prompt answer (ED guidance).
4. File with the Office for Civil Rights. Online, by mail, fax or email to ocr@ed.gov. File within 180 days of the last act of discrimination. You do not have to use the college's process first; if you do, file within 60 days after it ends (OCR). Colleges may not retaliate against you for complaining.
5. Get legal help. Disability Rights California, 1-800-776-5746, or Legal Aid at Work. You can also go to court.

What about mental health conditions?

A mental health condition can count as a disability when it limits a major life activity, like learning, concentrating or sleeping. Ask the disability office what it needs, and bring a letter from your provider. For care and counseling, see Mental health care without fear. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 any time (988lifeline.org).

What mistakes should I avoid?

• Waiting until you are failing. An accommodation may not change grades on work you already turned in. Ask early.
• Assuming your IEP transfers. Apply to the disability office.
• Not telling instructors early.
• Not keeping copies. Save every email, letter and form.
• Missing the complaint deadline. OCR usually needs your complaint within 180 days.

Where can I get help?

Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• Your college disability office (DSPS, Disability Resource Center or similar)
• Your college's Dreamer Resource Center or liaison. Every community college and CSU campus must have a Dreamer Resource Liaison (Education Code 66021.8)
• Disability Rights California (statewide): 1-800-776-5746. disabilityrightsca.org
• Legal Aid at Work (California): Disabilities in Higher Education fact sheet
• U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (national): file a complaint

Questions students ask

Will my diagnosis show on my transcript? Accommodations are handled by the disability office. Ask it how your records are kept private.

Do I have to tell my instructors my diagnosis? Ask your disability office how it shares your accommodations with instructors and what it keeps private.

I have a temporary injury. Can I get help? Ask the disability office whether it serves temporary conditions, like a broken arm or a concussion, and what papers it needs.

Can I get accommodations in online classes? Yes. Legal Aid at Work says these laws apply to online and distance courses at public and private schools (Legal Aid at Work).

Does DSPS cost money? Colleges cannot charge you for an accommodation (ED guidance).

Is there a checklist I can print?