2120 Student Resource Building
Telephone: (805) 893-2668
Fax: (805) 893-7127

Director : Gary White
E-Mail : white-g@sa.ucsb.edu
Web Site : http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/dsp

DSP serves as the campus liaison regarding issues and regulations related to students with disabilities. The DSP staff works in an advisory capacity with campus departments to insure that equal access is provided. DSP is also the central location for coordinating academic support services for eligible students with temporary and permanent disabilities.

Students with disabilities must maintain the same responsibility for their education as students who are non-disabled. This includes achieving the same academic standards, attending class, maintaining appropriate behavior, and providing timely notification of individual needs.

DSP services include: readers for students with visual impairments or learning disabilities; note takers for those who have learning disabilities or physical difficulty taking class notes; sign language interpreters for deaf students; and test-takers for students who have difficulty writing. Tape recorders, spelling checkers, talking calculators, and Visual-Teks are among the items for students' use in the adaptive equipment loan program. DSP also maintains an Adaptive Technology Center (ATC) housed in the Library where students can use screen readers, Braillers, enlarged print computer screens, and computer voice synthesizers. DSP is the office to act as the liaison with the State Department of Rehabilitation and provides registration assistance to all students who qualify. The office staff conducts supplemental orientation regarding campus accessibility and to address special needs.

When a student with a disability requires academic accommodations from a faculty member, DSP will write a letter of verification for the student to take to the instructor. This will clearly outline the instructor's obligation along with the student's responsibilities and the role of DSP.

Faculty should encourage those students with disabilities who are not registered with DSP to first contact the office and provide documentation of disability prior to making any academic accommodations. Faculty are invited to call the DSP office whenever they have a question or concern regarding a student with a disability.