Maintained by drc@ucsc.edu

Services

We offer a variety of services to help you make the most of your education. Even if you are not sure you need assistance, we recommend you establish eligibility with us in case an unexpected problem arises. All services are confidential and free of charge.

See additional helpful information and resources at:

Resources for Student Success

Advising & Support

Your Coordinator is available to offer you advising and support regarding your disability related needs. This might include:

Advocacy & Staff/Faculty Liaison

We are here to work on your behalf with departmental, college and/or other staff. At your request, we will advise faculty about the impact of your disability, as well as help you plan for a student-faculty meeting. Be sure to communicate any advocacy/liaison needs you have with your Coordinator in a timely manner. Most concerns can be resolved with good communication.

Adaptive Equipment

The DRC loans a variety of hardware equipment, including: portable tape recorders, 4-track tape players, RFB&D compatible CD players, transcribing machines with foot controls, IBM and Macintosh laptop computers (for exams), and TTYs.

We also provide access to adaptive software that can be used in designated lab areas for on-going coursework. You can also try them out to determine if a personal purchase is appropriate. For more information on available adaptive software, go to the Adaptive Software fact sheet.

If you have a hearing loss, Media Services loans Assistive Listening Devices which can be borrowed for classroom use on a quarterly basis.

Alternate Media

The DRC provides alternative-to-print accommodations (audio books). Books can be read onto tape, scanned onto a computer, MP3 file or CD, borrowed through lending organizations, and/or obtained in e-text through the DRC ETEXT Library.

If you receive audio books as an accommodation, you will be required to fill out an application (available at the DRC) for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D). The membership fee is paid by the DRC. RFB&D has many textbooks on audio tape or CD which you can borrow.

Housing Accommodation Recommendations

If you have disabilities that require wheelchair accessibility or other extensive living adaptations, you are strongly encouraged to visit the colleges to personally view the housing facilities, and to discuss any concerns with college Housing Coordinators.

Once you accept the offer of admission to UC Santa Cruz and become affiliated with one of our ten colleges, you will be sent instructions for completing the online housing application/contract process. In addition to applying for housing, you will also need to submit a DRC Housing Accommodation Request form to our office.

We will review your request form and the supporting documentation before making any accommodation recommendation to your college housing staff. Be sure to follow up with the Housing Coordinator at your college after submitting your request to the DRC.

Please note that we will not be able to process your accommodation request unless you have met our criteria for medical documentation and established contact with our office.

Information & Referral

In addition to our services, we can refer you to other helpful resources. For examples:

Lab & Library Assistants

If you have a relevant physical disability, we provide Lab Assistants to help lift/carry classroom equipment, pour chemicals, and give other physical assistance in a lab. Likewise, Library Assistants can help you pull books from the shelves and carry books as you use the library.

Notetakers

If you have difficulty with hearing, auditory processing, concentration or other disabilities that affect your ability to take adequate notes, you may use notetakers.

These paid notetakers are typically classmates who are hired from within the class. Notetaking supplements class attendance and does not replace it. Notetakers are not obligated to take notes for classes you miss. See the DRC Notetaking Accommodation fact sheet for more information.

Part-Time Status Enrollment Authorizations

If you need a lighter course load for disability-related reasons, the DRC can authorize you for the Part-Time Program. Part-time is 10 units or less. Requests for Part-Time Program must be made by the published deadline, usually within the first three weeks of the quarter.

If you receive financial aid, contact the Financial Aid office to inquire how the Part-Time Program may affect you.

Proofreaders

The DRC can give you a list of proofreaders to correct spelling, punctuation and grammar errors for your papers. For more in-depth assistance with papers, Learning Support Services provides Writing Tutors. See Tutor Referral.

Readers

Readers can read books onto audio tape if you have a visual disability or processing problem that interfere with reading (see also Alternate Media).

Readers can also assist with test accommodations—for example, if you have a visual impairment and need someone to read the exam you.

Scribes & Typists

If you have difficulty writing during exams due to a visual or mobility/orthopedic disability, the DRC can provide you with a scribe. A scribe writes as you dictate to them.

Scribes are also available, on a short term basis, to assist with short answer homework assignments. Similarly, typists can transcribe handwritten documents or audio for those who cannot type.

For long-term homework needs, you are encouraged to use voice recognition software, such as Dragon Naturally Speaking or Via Voice, to dictate your own papers (see also Adaptive Software).

Sign Language Interpreting & Realtime Captioning

We provide qualified interpreters for course instruction in your preferred mode of communication (e.g. ASL, PSE, SEE). Oral interpreters and Realtime Captioners are also available for those who do not utilize sign interpreters.

For non-course related interpreting/captioning needs, such as extra-curricular events on campus, contact the sponsoring department to request an interpreter/captioner.

For those who are hard of hearing, the campus has Assistive Listening Devices on loan (see Adaptive Equipment).

Test Accommodations

If your disability affects your test-taking, the DRC authorizes test accommodations such as extra time, a quiet test site, or use of a scribe or a computer.

If you are authorized for test accommodations it is crucial to request test accommodations during the first two weeks of the quarter. Also, notify the instructor and DRC ASAP if you drop a class or cancel test arrangements after making a request.

For more information on test accommodations, see the Exam Accommodation fact sheet.

Transportation Accommodation Authorizations

The DRC can authorize parking and/or Disability Van Service accommodations for those who have a legitimate disability related need for that assistance.

The Disability Van Service is operated by Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) and can provide door to door service throughout campus free of charge with authorization from the DRC.

For those who have DMV handicapped placards or cannot use the Disability Van Service for disability-related reasons, parking authorizations can be obtained from the DRC. For more information on campus policy regarding disability parking, go to Disabled Parking.

If you use a wheelchair or have problems with stairs or hills, check out the ADA Compliance website to find out more about campus access, including the UCSC Wheelchair User’s Survival Guide. This guide shows the most accessible routes on campus.

Tutor Referral

Learning Support Services provides both subject and writing tutors, as well as Modified Supplemental Instruction (MSI)—tutoring groups for a select cluster of classes.

Disability Resource Center clients who identify themselves to Learning Support Services staff may receive additional hours per week and/or one-one weekly sessions, if needed.

In addition to Learning Support Services:

• Math Department has math tutoring services
• Services to Transfer and Re-entry Students (STARS) provides writing and research mentors
• Academic Excellence Program (ACE) has workshops, peer mentors and study groups for eligible math and science students.
• Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP) offers tutorial assistance and other helpful services for eligible engineering students.
• Check with your college or other academic departments to determine if they offer any special academic services.

See additional helpful information and resources at:

Resources for Student Success