Prior to accessing authorized accommodations, you must complete the DSPS application and meet with a DSPS Counselor/LD Specialist to establish eligibility and be authorized for accommodations and/or services.

Once this is complete, please follow the steps below to access your authorized accommodations and/or services:

  • At the beginning of each semester, please email a copy of your Accommodation Notification to each of your instructors.
  • For each individual accommodation, please refer to additional information below and/or provided to you during your appointment with a DSPS Counselor/LD Specialist. The list below is not an entire list of accommodations provided by DSPS.

Accommodated Testing

Examples: extended time, distraction-reduced setting, etc.

In-person/On-campus Courses

NOTE: The ATC portal is no longer being used.

  • To schedule your exam: please email DSPS ATC at scatc@saddleback.edu.
    • In your email include the following information for each exam request:
      • Your full name
      • Student ID#
      • Course name
      • Exam title (ex. Midterm 1)
      • Instructor’s full name
      • Date and time for the exam
      • Requested approved accommodations
  • All exams must be scheduled at least 7 days in advance.

Online Courses

  • You will need to reach out to your Instructors to provide them with your Accommodation Notification and discuss which of your authorized accommodations you would are requesting for that course.

Before taking your first exam with the ATC, it is recommended that you call the ATC at (949) 582-4424 or email scatc@saddleback.edu to set up an orientation appointment.

ATC Policies

General Information

  1. You must provide a copy of your Accommodation Notification to each of your instructors, prior to requesting accommodations for any exams.
  2. You must schedule your exam on the Accommodated Testing Portal at least 7 days before your quiz/exam.
  3. DSPS will only proctor exams on the same day and time as your class. If you are requesting to take your exam on a different day/time, you must provide instructor approval and email it directly to scatc@saddleback.edu.
  4. During peak periods such as midterms and finals, DSPS proctors exams in multiple locations on-campus. Due to space, you may not be taking your exam in DSPS, but will still be provided with your authorized accommodations.
  5. DSPS has cameras and ability to see/record the computer screens in each exam room. These cameras are used to remotely proctor exams, strengthen academic integrity, and improve student safety in our testing spaces. 

Exam Check-in

  1. Your exam time begins at your scheduled time. It is recommended you arrive 5-10 minutes early to allow yourself enough time to complete the check-in process, put your belongings into a locker, etc.
  2. Please bring a Photo ID at check-in for all exams.
  3. DSPS staff will ask to see that your phone and any smart watch are turned off and put away in a locker. 
  4. Food and drinks are not allowed in DSPS testing locations, unless it is an approved accommodation. Students may bring in a water bottle. DSPS staff may ask you to open your water bottle.
  5. Please come prepared! It is your responsibility to bring all testing materials (i.e. scantrons, calculators, etc.) that will be needed for your exam.
  6. If you arrive late to a scheduled exam, the elapsed time will automatically be deducted from your total exam time. DSPS will not give time back for being late. For example, if you arrive 15 min late for your exam, DSPS will deduct 15 min from your total exam time. This means that the scheduled end time will remain the same and DSPS will not adjust or extend it.

During the Exam

  1. It is your responsibility to inform DSPS staff if there are any issues with your exam or the exam environment- while you are testing or before you leave. Once your exam is complete, DSPS will not re-open or allow you to go back to your exam.
  2. If you leave your exam room without prior approval, your exam will be considered complete. If you need to use the restroom during your exam, you will need to notify DSPS staff prior to leaving.
  3. All materials used during the test(s) (i.e. scratch paper, etc.) will be collected and returned to your instructor.
  4. If DSPS staff suspect that you are cheating during your exam, we will stop an take your exam. We will provide the information about the incident to your instructor and submit a Student Code of Conduct Incident Report.
  5. All students are responsible for following the Saddleback College Student Code of Conduct.

Note-taking Services (ex. NCR Paper, note-taking apps)

Note-taking Services include requesting a volunteer notetaker from your classes and note-taking apps. 

Volunteer Notetaker

You may request a volunteer notetaker any time after you have registered for classes and/or throughout the semester, as needed.

To request a volunteer notetaker, please do the following:

  1. Stop by the DSPS Office at Gateway 161-1 to pick up an NCR notebook and cover letter.
  2. Give the notebook and cover letter to your instructor(s) and let them know you are requesting a volunteer note-taker (or you may find your own volunteer in class if you prefer).
  3. If your volunteer note-taker would like to use paper other than the NCR paper provided, they are able to do so. Taking photos or scanning and emailing are also options. Lecture notes can be emailed directly from the notetaker.


NOTE: Volunteer notetakers are only for courses held in-person or synchronous online.

If a volunteer cannot be found, please contact DSPS by calling (949) 582-4885 or emailing scdsps@saddleback.edu.

Note-taking Apps

Please email scaltmedia@saddleback.edu to request an appointment. During the appointment, DSPS staff will discuss appropriate accommodations for note-taking apps.

Alternate Media Services

Orientation Appointment

Please email scaltmedia@saddleback.edu to request an appointment. During the appointment, DSPS staff will discuss appropriate accommodations and/or services.

Request a Textbook or Instructional Material in Alternate Formats

Students may request the following materials in alternate formats:

  • Required and recommended textbooks which you have purchased or rented.
    •  Proof of purchase is required and may include:
      • Your receipt or rental agreement (it does not matter where you purchased or rented the book)
  • nstructional material for a class in the form of ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost), handouts, and other class materials.


To request alternate formats of your textbooks and other materials, please use the following form after your orientation meeting and have this information ready:

Alternative media services include textbooks, instructional materials, and other printed information being converted to another format such as Braille, large print, or electronic text. The United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has held that the three basic components of effective communication include: "timeliness of delivery, accuracy of the translation, and provision in a manner and medium appropriate to the significance of the message and the abilities of the individual with the disability.”

Alternative Media Services and Assistive Technology Accommodations

  • Audiobooks 
  • Note-Taking Apps
  • Recording Apps 
  • Text-to-Speech
  • Dictation (Voice-to-Text)
  • Magnification Devices
  • Braille or Electronic Braille
  • Assistive Technology
  • Adaptive Equipment
  • Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)

Alternative Media Services Policies

Saddleback College will make available, upon request, in alternate media, any publication it offers to the general public such as the college catalog, announcements about cultural or recreational events sponsored by the college, job announcements, etc.  Nevertheless, since most requests are likely to come from students, the primary focus in these guidelines will be to provide instructional materials in accessible formats.

Laws and Guidelines

According to the Chancellor's Office, web pages must satisfy Priority One checkpoints of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and conform to the standards for accessibility under Section 508 of the Rehabilitative Act of 1973.

Both state and federal law require community colleges to operate all programs and activities in a manner which is accessible to students with disabilities. Accordingly, as the system develops its capacity for creation of technology based instructional resources and the delivery of distance learning; it must proceed with the needs of all students in mind, including the unique needs of students with disabilities.

Distance Education: Access Guidelines for Students with Disabilities, August 1999 Chancellor's Office California Community Colleges

From the Chancellor's Office

Kurzweil Reading Program

  • Reads text aloud, highlighting words and sentences as they're spoken to help students follow along
  • Natural Text-to-Speech voices in 13 languages and 18 additional native dialects.
  • Customizable reading rate and presentation.
  • Improve readability with OpenDyslexic font, text magnification (installed desktop only) and zoom

Kurzweil Training Videos

Kurzweil Reading tool for Canvas Classes

If you would to have your canvas class read out loud to help with understanding the material you can use a free tool called “Kurzweil Read the Web Chrome Extension.” It will read out loud any webpage, online textbook or web resource that your class is using. Please follow the directions below to install and activate the free tool.

Install Kurzweil Read the Web Chrome Extension

Orbit Note

Note-Taking Apps

Glean

Otter AI

Notability 

  •  Note-taking app with hand-written or typed notes that are synchronized to recordings.

Equatio

Technology designed for inclusion, built for impact!

  • Supervised open lab: your space to study, connect, and learn
  • Priority for students with disabilities, but all are welcome
  • Bring your device or borrow one to explore assistive technologies
  • Explore apps and strategies including text-to-speech, dictation, and Kurzweil 3000
  • Workshops and trainings to enhance your educational support


Our mission at the DSPS Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) Lab is to empower individuals of all abilities by providing innovative and inclusive technology solutions. We are committed to fostering an accessible learning environment where every student can thrive. Through collaborative partnerships and cutting-edge technology, we strive to break down barriers to education and promote equal opportunities for all learners. At the CAT Lab, we believe in the transformative power of technology to enhance accessibility, support diversity, and create a more inclusive society.


The CAT Lab is located in Gateway 281.

Hours of Operation

  • Monday: 12 - 4 p.m.
  • Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Thursday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  • Friday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Unlock Your Saddleback Student Toolkit: Hands-On Access to Free Campus Apps

Are you making the most of your Saddleback student resources? This hands-on workshop will guide you through accessing and using powerful tools that come free with your student account. Learn how to navigate Canvas, Outlook, Office 365, Google Suite, and other essential apps that support your academic success. Bring your own device to get personalized help with setup and usage. Whether you're new to Saddleback or looking to sharpen your tech skills, this session will help you stay organized, connected, and confident.

  • Time: Noon-1:00pm
  • Location: The CAT Lab, GW 281
  • Dates: August 27th, September 3rd, and September 10th


NOTE: This lab is not a substitute for your orientation appointment. To access authorized alternative media services, you must complete your appointment.

ASL Interpreter and/or Real Time Captioning (RTC)

  • Request an appointment to review procedures and request services after you have registered for classes and before classes begin.
  • Contact Sylvia in advance to request an interpreter/captioning for any scheduled campus appointments, events, etc.


Contact: scdsps@saddleback.edu

On Campus Accommodated Transportation

DSPS staff provides rides in golf carts to assist students with navigating mobility and accessibility challenges around campus.

To request on-campus accommodated transportation, students must submit a form to DSPS at least 2 weeks before the beginning of each term (Fall, Spring, Summer).

 

Submit a DSPS Accommodated Transportation Request Form

 

Please allow up to 5 business days to process your request. The service will not be provided immediately after submitting the form. DSPS will contact you directly with your start of service date.

This service is:

  • For students that have been authorized for the accommodation only. If you are unsure if the accommodation has been authorized/approved for you, please contact DSPS at (949) 582-4885 or email scdsps@saddleback.edu.
  • To provide rides to campus locations at Saddleback College only. 

This service is NOT:

  • An on-demand service. We plan ahead based on the schedule and staff available, so we are unable to pick up students without advanced notice.
  • A “door to door” service. We will drop off students outside of buildings, not classrooms. DSPS is not responsible for walking students to classes. If you are needing assistance beyond the ride, please speak with a DSPS Counselor/LD Specialist about a Personal Service Attendant (PSA).
  • For errands or other non-educational purposes.

Policies

  1. Requests for on campus accommodated transportation should be requested at least 7 days in advance.
  2. DSPS understands that you may need a last minute, non-scheduled ride. We will do our best to accommodate for these requests, however, DSPS staff may not be available and we may not be able to fulfill the request.
  3. If you have edits to your scheduled rides for the semester, please contact DSPS at (949) 582-4885 or email scdsps@saddleback.edu as soon as possible.
  4. DSPS staff will wait for 5 min after your scheduled ride time. If you do not arrive within 5 min, DSPS staff will leave.
  5. If you “no show” for 3 rides in a semester, without notifying DSPS, this may result in the suspension of this service.
  6. If you need to cancel a scheduled ride, please contact DSPS at (949) 582-4885 or email scdsps@saddleback.edu as soon as possible.
  7. There may be circumstances beyond DSPS (Ex. cart breakdown, flat tires and emergency situations) that may cause rides to be late.

Accessible Furniture

DSPS works directly with Facilities Maintenance and Operations to arrange for accessible furniture, including adjustable tables and chairs, to be placed in classrooms without accessible seating. 
Accessible classroom furniture is only provided to eligible students who are authorized for the accommodation.

To request accessible furniture, students must submit a Furniture Request Form to DSPS at least 2 weeks before the beginning of each term (Fall, Spring, Summer).


Submit a DSPS Accessible Furniture Request Form


Any furniture requests made after the start of the semester can take up to 14 business days for the accessible furniture to be placed in the classroom. If ordering is required, the request will take longer.