Request an Accommodation
To request and use accommodations, you must have an Academic Accommodation Plan (AAP) that outlines your authorized accommodations. Visit our Apply to DSPS page if you have not registered with the DSPS.
As a DSPS Student it is your responsibility to be familiar with your accommodations and to request them each semester using the process outlined below. To use your accommodations, you must first send your instructors a faculty notification letter via AIM. If you are already familiar with how to send faculty notification letters and request accommodations, you can proceed to the DSPS Online Portal (AIM).
How to send faculty notification letters
How to request alternative media
Get textbooks and classroom materials in your preferred formats:
- Braille - brailled books and hand-outs
- Electronic text - PDF format or Kurzweil Library
- Print materials, including enlarged print
- Synthesized audio from text-only content
Review our Alt Media Delivery Timelines for more information on the turnaround for your instructional materials.
Self-service options
- Students with qualifying disabilities are eligible to register for Bookshare to access alternate formats of a growing catalog of textbooks
- Explore the free Robobraille service to learn about your options for converting digital files into various formats
- Consider buying your e-textbooks using Vitalsource which offers highlighting, note-taking and text-to-speech via the web or its mobile apps
- If you are buying print textbooks, use services like AddALL to ensure you are buying the book at the lowest price possible.
How to request a notetaker
- Click on the button below to access the DSPS Online Portal (AIM):
- Select Student Sign-In and, if prompted, sign into your myCuesta account:
- Once in AIM, scroll down, all your classes will be listed to be able to select which classes you want notetaking accommodations for.
- If you don’t see your classes right away, you may have a form to read and sign before your classes will be shown.
- Click on your classes and select the notetaking accommodation and any other accommodations you would like to use for each class then click submit.
- Your requests have been received and we will send a letter to your instructor requesting them to announce in class that we are looking for a notetaker to share their notes with another student in class.
How to access class notes
- Click on the button below to access the DSPS Online Portal (AIM):
- If prompted, sign into your myCuesta account:
- On the left-hand side under My Accommodations, click on Notetaking Services.
- Once notes are uploaded, you will be able to download them from here.
How to use testing accommodations
Please use the following guidelines if you would like to use your testing accommodations in an online class:
- You must send the faculty notification letter via AIM. This is how your instructor will know you want to use your accommodations.
- Be sure to check Testing Accommodations box before sending.
- Contact your instructor via e-mail or canvas to be sure they received and read the notification letter.
- If tests will be proctored, the instructor will be doing that using Zoom or other platform used for the class.
- If you have questions about how your instructor will be handling tests, please contact them asap. Let us know if you need assistance.
- Extended time is the most commonly used accommodation. Kurzweil may be used if you have reader as a testing accommodation. Please make sure you communicate with your instructor leading up to the exam as they may have to take steps to ensure you have access to your accommodations.
- Always confirm your test time has been extended before starting a test/quiz! Notify your instructor immediately if the time is incorrect - only they can fix it.
- Contact DSPS if there are questions about testing accommodations and/or issues communicating with instructors.
If an instructor is unable to provide your testing accommodations as part of their in-person classes, exams can be proctored by DSPS at their Alternative Testing Centers on the SLO and North County Campuses.
In order to ensure that student accommodations and instructors' exam requirements are met for DSPS proctored exams, students will need to work closely with their instructor to determine a suitable exam schedule, including for times when DSPS Testing Center hours do not overlap with the class schedule.
- Each semester, select Testing Accommodations in AIM as part of sending the Faculty Notification Letters.
- Discuss your accommodations with your instructor and determine whether or not you will be taking your exams at the DSPS Testing Center.
- If taking your exams at the DSPS Testing Center, ensure your instructor completes the necessary Alternative Testing Agreement and schedule your exam online.
If you are needing to share or send your DSPS accomodation information then a Request For Information Form must be filled out and returned to DSPS. This will authorize the release of information relating to services provided by DSPS.