Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS)

Step 1: Complete the application for Saddleback College

Once you have applied to Saddleback College, you will receive a student ID number. You will need a student ID number before continuing to Step 2.

Step 2: Complete the DSPS Application

New Students

If you are new to the Saddleback DSPS department, please make sure that you have a Saddleback College student ID number. Then, you can complete the DSPS Application.

Returning Students

If you are a returning student who has received DSPS accommodations or services at Saddleback College in the past, you DO NOT need to re-apply. Please contact us to re-activate your accommodations or services by calling (949) 582-4885 or emailing scdsps@saddleback.edu.

Recommended Application Timelines

• Please note that DSPS experiences a high volume of applications each semester— we always encourage you to apply early! Peak periods include the start of Fall and Spring semesters. During these times, appointment availability and application processing may take longer than usual.
• If you are a student with a temporary disability (ex. concussion, broken bone, surgery, etc.), we will do our best to expedite your application to be reviewed faster. 
• We are committed to reviewing all DSPS applications as quickly as possible. Each application is carefully evaluated by DSPS, and services are determined on a case-by-case basis. The review process can take up to 2 weeks, and appointment availability may be limited during high-demand periods.

Submit a DSPS Application for Services Form

NOTE: If a paper copy of the application is needed, please stop by our office in-person at Gateway 161-1.

Step 3: Provide Verification of Disability documents

Verification of Disability should contain:

• A specific diagnosis with an indication of whether the disability is temporary or permanent
• A description of the functional limitations caused by the disability
• A signature of a licensed practitioner or medical provider
• If you are impacted by multiple disabilities, please provide documentation for each disability

Examples of acceptable documentation include, but are not limited to:

• A copy of the most recent IEP
• Letter from doctor or medical provider
• Department of Rehabilitation
• 504 Plan
• Veterans Affairs Report for Disability Rating
• Regional Center Documentation
• Psych-educational report
• Social Security Office Documents
• Medical Records

Verification of Disability documents can be uploaded with the application online, provided in-person at our office in Gateway 161-1, or emailed to scdsps@saddleback.edu.

Students who do not have a history of a disability, but are struggling academically, may schedule an appointment to meet with a Learning Disability (LD) Specialist. The LD Specialist will determine if further assessment is appropriate. Our LD Specialists will not diagnose a disability, but they can provide assessments to determine if accommodations are necessary.

Students without documentation of their disability are invited to discuss their specific situation with DSPS by completing an application and indicating that no disability documentation is available.

Step 4: Your DSPS application and Verification of Disability documents are reviewed

DSPS Counselors will review your DSPS application and Verification of Disability documents that you have submitted. Depending on availability, this step can take up to 1-2 weeks to complete. While Step 4 has no student involvement, it is a necessary part of the enrollment process.

Once the File Review has been completed, the DSPS Counselor will either determine that further documentation or information is needed from the student, or that the student is ready to schedule an appointment.

DSPS will communicate directly to the student. Some exceptions could apply, and students are encouraged to contact DSPS to check the status of their application, if they have any questions.

Step 5: Schedule an Appointment to meet with a DSPS Counselor/LD Specialist

Depending on the type of appointment necessary, appointment durations could range from 30 minutes to two (2) hours long. DSPS will communicate directly to the student which appointment type they will have and how to schedule the appointment.

Students participate in an interactive process with a DSPS Counselor to determine eligibility for and authorized accommodations and services for an effective and reasonable Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP).

Step 6: DSPS Counselors will provide your Accommodations Notification

Once an Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP) is received, a DSPS Counselor will provide the Accommodation Notification to the student.

The Accommodations Notification provides information about your authorized accommodations and services. Instructors are not aware of DSPS accommodations or services until the Accommodations Notification is provided to them.

All information regarding a disability is confidential. DSPS encourages students with to meet with Instructors to inform them of the approved accommodations/services they will be using in a course. Students are encouraged by our office to discuss their accommodations with the instructor; however, the student is not required to disclose or discuss specific disability-related information.

Please email a copy of your Accommodations Notification to each of your instructors at the beginning of each semester.

If a student needs to cancel their DSPS appointment, the student must notify the DSPS office in advance, or at least one (1) business day prior to the scheduled appointment. Appointment cancellations can be communicated by emailing us at scdsps@saddleback.edu, by calling (949) 582-4885, or leaving a voicemail.

If students are more than fifteen (15) minutes late for a DSPS appointment, the appointment will be cancelled and considered a “no-show”.

• Students who "no-show" to one (1) DSPS appointment will receive an email notification reminding them of the policy.
• Students who "no-show" to two (2) DSPS appointments will be required to meet with the Director of DSPS.
• Students who "no-show" to three (3) DSPS appointments may have DSPS services and appointments suspended for a semester.
• If students are more than fifteen (15) minutes late for an appointment, the appointment will be cancelled and considered a no-show.