Students' Rights and Responsibilities

A student's rights as an individual with a disability are protected under federal law; primarily Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of of 1973. It is as follows:

"No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States...shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity provided by an institution receiving federal financial assistance."

DSPS Student Rights

1. Voluntary Participation
   A student's participation in DSPS is completely voluntary, and the student may discontinue services at any time without penalty.
2. Equal Access to GCC Programs and Activities
   Receiving DSPS support services, accommodations, or specialized instruction will not prevent a student from enrolling in, participating in, or benefiting from any other course, program, service, or activity offered by GCC. DSPS services are intended to provide equal access, not to limit academic or extracurricular opportunities.
3. Confidentiality of Disability-Related Information
   Disability-related records and personal information are confidential and will be maintained by DSPS in a secure manner to protect against unauthorized disclosure. Some exceptions, as required by law, are as follows: 
   • Information may be shared with the Chancellor’s Office of the California Community Colleges or other authorized state or federal agencies only as required for reporting, compliance, or funding purposes.
   • Any disclosure will be made in strict accordance with applicable confidentiality laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232(g), and Section 7 of the Federal Privacy Act (Public Law 93-579; 5 U.S.C. § 552a).
   • Information is collected pursuant to California Education Code Sections 67310–67312 and 84850, and California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 56000 et seq.
4. Appealing Accommodation Decisions
   A student has the right to appeal decisions regarding DSPS accommodations or services if the student believes that their disability-related needs have not been appropriately addressed. The appeal process will be explained upon request.
5. Right to Due Process Regarding Student Conduct
   A student's participation in DSPS does not exempt the student from GCC Standards of Student Conduct policies, and the student retains the same due process rights as all other students.

 

DSPS Student Responsibilities

 

1. Documentation and Information
   The student agrees to provide DSPS with timely and sufficient documentation and information necessary to verify their disability(ies) and determine reasonable accommodations. Failure to do so may delay or limit the provision of services.
2. DSPS Services
   The student agrees to use DSPS services responsibly and in accordance with DSPS policies and procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, Deaf and Hard of Hearing services, Alternate Media, and Alternative Testing. Misuse or repeated failure to follow procedures may result in modification/suspension of services.
3. Compliance with Standards of Student Conduct
   The student agrees to comply with the GCC Standards of Student Conduct and all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations governing student behavior, as outlined in the GCC catalog and Administrative Regulation 5500.
4. Academic Progress
   The student is expected to meet the academic standards established by GCC, with or without accommodations.
5. Request of Services
   The student agrees to meet with a DSPS counselor each academic term in a timely manner to request services and accommodations. Accommodations are not retroactive.
6. Collaboration with DSPS
   The student agrees to meet with a DSPS counselor to discuss functional limitations and implement recommended services and accommodations. In some instances, accommodations may be adjusted based on course requirements, updated disability documentation, and/or changes in educational needs.
7. Limits of Accommodations
   Accommodations are intended to provide equal access and do not alter the fundamental requirements of a course, degree, program, or college activity.