Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS)

Students with disabilities at College of the Desert participate in the same activities and courses as any other student. Mandated accommodations and specialized services are offered to provide a more equitable educational experience and to help successfully integrate the student into college life. Interested students must meet with a DSPS counselor to apply for and discuss these services and accommodations.

Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) provides specialized instructional opportunities to qualified students. Specialized instructional programs include the DSPS High Tech Center, WorkAbility III, Social Skills 1 and 2, DSPS Transition to College, and Adapted Kinesiology courses.

The WorkAbility III program also offers specialized courses, employment counseling, and placement assistance in cooperation with the California Department of Rehabilitation.

Participation in DSPS services is voluntary.  

760.773.2534
dsps@collegeofthedesert.edu
DSPS website
Cravens Student Services Center, First Floor

Counseling Faculty/Advisors:

Kimberly Brooks
kbrooks@collegeofthedesert.edu
760.862.1352

Victoria Curry
vcurry@collegeofthedesert.edu
760.636.7977

Donald O'Loghlin
dologhlin@collegeofthedesert.edu
760.776.7406


 

DSPS 040  Survey of Resources for DSPS Students   Units: 2

This course focuses on an in-depth assessment of the student with a disability. It also introduces the student to the information and skills necessary for success in college. Course topics include development of personal goals, self-advocacy skills, use of services provided by DSPS as well as other student support services on campus, and available community resources. Students will learn to implement their Student Education Plans (SEPs), prepared by a DSPS counselor, to work toward their educational goals and will learn what accommodations are necessary to achieve these goals.
Lecture Hours: 36         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: Intended for students with disabilities
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NAA
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

DSPS 041  Information Management Strategies   Units: 2

Course emphasis is to develop and enhance the ability of students with disabilities to manage and organize information. Multi-media instruction is utilized. The lecture section includes specific software programs and hardware designed to assist students in the management of academic coursework. The lab section provides repetition of the topics using various software applications, specialized hardware, and individualized computer instruction.
Lecture Hours: 27         Lab Hours: 27          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: Intended for students with disabilities
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NAA
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

DSPS 043  Alternative Learning Strategies   Units: 3

This course provides specialized computer-assisted instruction for students with disabilities. Students are provided with study skills strategies to maximize their learning potential and to promote academic success.
Lecture Hours: 45         Lab Hours: 27          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: Intended for students with disabilities
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NAA
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

DSPS 045A  Job Skills Dev/Vocational Exploration   Units: 1

This course is designed to assist students with disabilities in developing specific goals for employment. The course focuses on personal and vocational assessment, clarification of values, identification of skills, and the development of a vocational plan.
Lecture Hours: 18         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: Intended for Workability III students
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NAA
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

DSPS 045B  Job Skills Dev/Job Applications/Resume   Units: 0.5

This course is designed to assist students with disabilities in successfully completing job applications and writing a resume, complete with a cover letter.
Lecture Hours: 9         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: Intended for Workability III students
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NAA
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

DSPS 045C  Job Skills Dev/Job Interview Skills   Units: 0.5

This course is designed to assist students with disabilities to develop competitive job interview skills.
Lecture Hours: 9         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: Intended for Workability III students
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NAA
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

DSPS 301  Specialized Learning Skills Development   Units: 0

Students are individually evaluated to determine their specific learning disability. Individual learning strategies are developed and students learn to use appropriate accommodations.
Noncredit Hours: 90                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: Students must be referred by the Learning Disability Specialist.
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

DSPS 304  Instructional Support Lab   Units: 0

The Instructional Support Lab is a laboratory setting that provides access to adaptive hardware and software with a Disability Specialist/Instructor for students with disabilities. Under the direction of the instructor, students utilize specialized equipment to assist in completion of assignments from their academic classes and enhance academic skills.
Noncredit Hours: 90                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: Intended for students with disabilities
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

DSPS 312  Social Skills 1 for Students with Disabilities   Units: 0

This course is designed for students with disabilities who want to learn how to improve in-person and online social skills. This course will include activities to enhance social interaction skills, including unstated rules in a variety of social situations. This course will also cover skills related to relationships, verbal and non-verbal communication, conflict resolution, and planning and attending social events.
Noncredit Hours: 54                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

DSPS 313  Social Skills 2 for Students with Disabilities   Units: 0

This course is designed for student with disabilities who want to continue to learn how to improve in-person and online social skills. This course will cover social skills related to interacting with strangers, acquaintances, friends, and personal relationships. Further, this course will cover skills for self-regulation, assertiveness, handling teasing and bullying, rumors and gossip, conflict and disagreements, and engaging at social events.
Noncredit Hours: 54                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

DSPS 315  DSPS Transition to College   Units: 0

This course is designed to support new college students with disabilities. The course covers several important skills required to succeed in the college environment. Some of these include navigating college systems, technology skills for college, and self-advocacy.
Noncredit Hours: 42                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None