By Nicole Favela
The formerly known Disabled Students Programs and Services, or DSPS, has undergone a name change this 2022 Fall semester at San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College. The name has been changed to Student Accessibility Services, or SAS, in order to disassociate the words “disabled” and “disabilities” due to the stigma that they hold, which can discourage students from seeking these services.
As per the SAS webpage, “To attract more students to the program, along with aligning the name and program to the District’s current initiatives and goals that include Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), a focus group was developed to change the name to something that would be embraced by all stakeholders of the District including, faculty, staff, management, students and the community at large.”
In an interview with SAS director Larry W. Brunson, Jr., M.S., the previous name “has been a discouragement to [students]. We felt like the name disabled was antiquated, as well. We wanted to have something that was more appropriate for what we’re trying to do in terms of getting more students into our program and being able to support them with their accommodations and various other supports that they may need.”
SAS has many services to be utilized for those who are found eligible for these accommodations. Brunson states, “We provide academic accommodations as support to our students. So once they’re found eligible, they work with our counselors to determine whether or not they can receive academic accommodations. Typically those accommodations involve receiving extra time on quizzes and exams, as well as use of a high tech center that’s over at the liberal hall building.”
But the list of services provided by SAS does not stop there. “They’re also able to secure audiobooks and get audiovisual support. As well as assistant technology support. So, those are just some of the things that we provide in addition. We’ve provided assistance to students who need note taker’s support, or lab support, if they’re taking a chemistry or biology class or any classes in the sciences that involve labs.” An important note made by Brunson is that once you are found eligible and begin to receive these services, it is your responsibility to inform your instructors of your accommodations.
Larry W. Brunson, Jr., M.S. advice to students who may be eligible for educational accommodations to stop by the SAS office and complete an application to determine what kind of services can be appointed to you. They are located in room AD 105 in the Administration/Student Services Building.
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