Disability Support Programs and Services

First-time students must apply to SDCCE and then make an intake appointment with a counselor as well as attend any mandatory orientations for their specific certificate program if applicable.

For general inquires or to make an appointment with a counselor please email SDCEDSPS@sdccd.edu or call 619-388-4812 and leave a voice mail. A DSPS classified professional will get back to you shortly.

Counselors, resource instructors, assistive technology, and our learning disability services are available remotely via zoom, phone, and email.

Regular updates to our program can be found on our DSPS Facebook page.

DSPS Faculty and Staff Contacts

Campus Contact Email
Educational Cultural Complex
West City Center
Kim Salerno ksalerno@sdccd.edu
North City Center
CE Miramar
Rosa Monzon rmonzon@sdccd.edu
Mid-City Center Meredith Ross mross001@sdccd.edu
CE Mesa Rosa Monzon rmonzon@sdccd.edu
César E. Chávez Stephany Rodriguez srodriguez001@sdccd.edu
Deaf and Hard of Hearing at all campuses Lindsay Cohen lbcohen@sdccd.edu

Non-Classroom Faculty

Access Technology Specialist Kathy Hornik khornik@sdccd.edu
Learning Disabilities Specialist Marie Doerner mdoerner@sdccd.edu
Program Chair John Bromma Jbromma@sdccd.edu

Dean

Acting Dean of DSPS and Student Affairs Katie Serbian kserbian@sdccd.edu

Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS) assists San Diego Continuing Education to meet the requirements of federal laws (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act) and SDCCD policy by ensuring access to equal educational opportunities. Academic adjustments and modifications are determined for each student by an interactive process with a DSPS counselor.

The DSPS mission is to offer a variety of classes and services designed to facilitate the success of students with disabilities in reaching their educational, personal, and vocational goals.

Eligibility

Students enrolled in Continuing Education must provide documentation of a disability from an appropriate licensed professional to be eligible for DSPS services. Disabilities can include (but are not limited to):

  • Learning Disability (LD)
  • Physical Disability
  • Psychological Disability
  • Deaf/Hard of Hearing
  • Visual Disability
  • Acquired Brain Impairment (ABI)
  • Intellectual Disability (ID)
  • Other disabling conditions such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Diabetes, Epilepsy, etc.

Academic Adjustments and DSPS Services

DSPS counselors partner with students to determine what academic adjustments will provide access to a program of study. Accommodations are determined on an individualized basis. Examples of accommodations may include:

  • Educational and disability counseling
  • Liaison with faculty
  • Community referrals
  • Sign language interpreters
  • Speech-to-text services
  • Adapted computer work stations
  • Enlarged print
  • Modified testing environment
  • Extended time for testing
  • Text in audio format
  • Registration assistance
  • Small group instruction
  • Learning Disability eligibility assessment
  • Referral to Workability III

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Program

The ABI program(s) provide students with the tools needed to achieve their goals in important areas of daily life, including (but not limited to): interpersonal relationship, vocation, education and community activities. SDCE offers ABI program classes through the Educational Cultural Complex, and CE at Mesa campuses.

WorkAbility III

WorkAbility III provides comprehensive career counseling services to students with disabilities. Services meet specific needs as they relate to counseling and support for Job Training/Certificate Programs; career exploration; work experience; internships; job search resource; on-the-job accommodation, and job retention.

Workability is a partnership between the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) and the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD). Students must be a client of DOR, and enrolled in a Continuing Education class to access this service.

Mission: San Diego College of Continuing Education commits to student success and community enrichment by providing tuition-free, accessible, equitable, and innovative quality education and support services to diverse learners in pursuit of lifelong learning, training, career advancement, and pathways to credit college. read more »