What is Disability Support Services?
Disability Support Services (DSS) is dedicated to ensuring equal access and inclusion for all students with either provisional or permanent physical, health, learning, sensory or psychological disabilities. Accommodations may include adaptive equipment, technology, testing, classroom tools and information.
Are you experiencing learning challenges? Do you study, but don't get the grades you want? Do you have trouble understanding what you read? Is there a subject that seems harder than it should? Is it difficult to pay attention in class?
DSS might be able to help you get the answers you need! Come in or call us for an appointment today. We may be able to refer you for a formal evaluation at no cost to you!
Privacy is our priority, however, faculty and staff may be informed of your need for reasonable accommodations once you qualify for services. Information regarding a student's disability is considered confidential and will not be released without written permission.
DSS Mission
Disability Support Services works with students with disabilities in a confidential, professional, and safe environment to ensure access, equity, and inclusion so students with disabilities have equal opportunity to participate in college programs and activities through services, programming, and advocacy.
DSS Student Portal
New Students
Getting started with the DSS office is a simple three-step process, which will be complete when you sent your Letter of Accommodation to your instructors through the DSS Student Portal. So, let's get started.
- Gather your documentation. For help, see our Documentation Guidelines.
- Once you have completed your application in the DSS Application Center and have submitted your documentation, the DSS department will contact you to set
up your intake appointment.
- Once your list of eligible accommodations is determined, you can send your Letter of Accommodation to your instructors through your MyDSS Portal.
Continuing Students
Continuing Students must submit a Letter of Accommodation to their instructors each quarter. Please click on the MyDSS button to get started.
In MyDSS, students can:
- Attach and upload documentation.
- Access DSS documents:
- Letter of Accommodation
- Any applicable agreements
- Request and distribute Letters of Accommodation for each course.
- Schedule test proctoring appointments.
- Request assistive technology and alternate formats of instructional materials.
DSS Office Location
Individualized Interactive Accommodation Process (Step-by-Step)
For more information about the DSS Individualized Interactive Accommodation Process, including a helpful step-by-step guide, please visit DSS Canvas. DSS Canvas is open to everyone, and no login is required to access the information.
How Disability Services Differ Between High School and College:
- High School: School personnel may suspect there is a problem and notify the parents or guardian.
The school may request permission to either test the student, or recommend the parents
or guardian take the student to see a specialist.
- College: An employee may refer the student to the DSS office or the student may seek it out. It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation of their disability. If they do not have documentation, the DSS office will work with the student to find resources and help them to secure appropriate documentation.
- High School: The parents are the main point of contact for the school, although this may change
over time.
- College: The student is the only point of contact for the college unless the student has specifically allowed it by filling out a Release of Information (ROI).
- High School: Usually only done once a year in a meeting that is organized by the student’s case
manager, this may also be their teacher.
- College: Once the initial intake has been completed, accommodations can be changed at any point during the year, and are usually initiated by the student.
- High School: The meeting is usually attended by the student, guardian, case manager and likely
several members of the school staff including teachers and administrators.
- College: The meeting will be attended by the student and their case manager. Guests outside of college personnel must be invited by the student. Instructors receive notice of the accommodations, not the reason for them.
- High School: The student may take special classes that address their disability. They may also
receive extra help studying by school personnel. Graduation may not be dependent on
passing specific standards.
- College: The student takes the same classes that match their degree path as all other students on the same path. The material is not modified, however the accommodations may modify how the material is delivered. Tutoring is available for all students, regardless of disability. Graduation is dependent on meeting specific standards.
Meet Our Team
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“Disability Support Services is awesome. They are always helpful and courteous to both faculty and students. The team is there not only to help students achieve, but also to facilitate faculty in equitably assessing student progress.”
“I am so grateful for the dedicated staff of Disability Support Services (formerly Resource Center) for their commitment to helping faculty provide necessary accommodations to qualifying students. In my nearly 30 years at CBC, many of my students have used their services, mostly for students requiring extra time or other testing accommodations. They have been well organized, giving clear directions and protocols to both students and faculty. When I have forgotten to provide some necessary item, they have given reminder emails or calls. When something goes wrong, they are flexible and make sure that the end result is that the student gets their full accommodation. They go out of their way, including working long hours, to make sure that the student (and faculty) gets what they need. In their capacity, they could take a bureaucratic and officious position, but they go the extra mile with a smile, instead.”
What are your rights?
You have a right to services and reasonable accommodations which ensures that you have equal access to all programs and services provided by Columbia Basin College.
Faculty and staff may be informed of your need for reasonable accommodation once you qualify for services. Information regarding a student’s disability is considered confidential. Information will not be released without the expressed written permission of the student.
FEDERAL LAW STATES:
“No qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from the participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of any public entity, or be subject to discrimination by any such entity.”
Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990
Section 202
“No otherwise qualified, handicapped individual in the United States shall solely by reasons of his/her handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”
Rehabilitation Act of Congress, 1973
Title V; Section 504
Students are encouraged to resolve concerns by first contacting Disability Support Services, 509-542-4412 or 1-800-833-6384 Relay Services for deaf and hard of hearing, to discuss their issues. It is in everyone’s best interest that disputes over reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities be settled as quickly and informally as possible. Columbia Basin College also offers a formal procedure for students to lodge a complaint or grievance with the institution. However, anyone who believes there has been an act of discrimination by the College on the basis of disability against any person or group may file a complaint with the:
U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
1-800-421-3481 (VOICE)
1-800-877-8339 (TDD)
Washington State Human Rights Commission
1-800-233-3247
1-509-542-5504
