Accommodations & Services

The following requests are for approved accommodations (section 56001 (a) also referred to as Academic Adjustments, Auxiliary Aids and Services). If you are unsure of your accommodations, please contact us via email at dsps@napavalley.edu or phone (707) 256-7345. If you have not applied for DSPS services and met with a DSPS counselor yet, please follow the six steps for accessing DSPS services near the bottom of the DSPS Home Page.

Please allow 3-5 business days for your request to process. If your request has not been processed after five (5) business days, please contact our office at dsps@napavalley.edu or (707) 256-7345.

Students, after you have been approved through your DSPS counselor or LD Specialist: 

  1.  Student fills out the Online Formfor their classes ideally at least 21 days (3 weeks) before classes start. 
  2. The DSPS Specialist will contact the student to discuss whether other options, including devices such as a SmartPen, Sonocent, or another recording device would suffice in lieu of a note-taker or along with a note-taker. 
  3. Expectations of note-taking are discussed with a reminder that the note-taker is a volunteer, and they are taking notes for what they feel is relevant to them. Notes provided may not be comprehensive and are intended to be a supplement to the notes the requester is taking in class. 
  4. The student will be notified by DSPS through NVC email that they have a note-taker to fill the request. 
  5. If a note-taker is not obtained by the second week of class and provided that the student requested a note-taker 21 days (3 weeks) prior to the start of the semester, the student will be provided with interim accommodation(s) such as an audio recording device or instructor-taped lectures, SmartPen, Sonocent, or instructor notes. If the student gets a volunteer note-taker, they will inform the DSPS Specialist. If the note-taker does not meet the student's expectations, they need to contact DSPS immediately to have an alternative note-taker. 
  6. The notes will be emailed within 48 hours (2 days) of any class using NVC student designated email along with a delivery receipt. If a student does not receive their notes, it is their responsibility to contact DSPS. 
  7. If the DSPS student misses the class, then lecture notes may not be provided. 
  8. The DSPS student needs to contact the specialist if they find they need more than notes. If there are issues with the notes, we would prefer you to contact DSPS before dropping the class. 
  9. DSPS students are also reminded to look at the instructor’s website or Canvas site as lecture notes are often posted on the instructor’s web page or in Canvas. 
  10. If a student needs to withdraw from a class due to the inability to have received a volunteer note-taker, and additional support of accessibility devices did not meet their needs, the student has the right to withdraw a class between the second and fifth week of the semester without the withdrawal being reflected on their record. 

Note: If there is someone in your class you know and you are comfortable asking them to be your note-taker please do so. Please refer them to the DSPS Specialist so they can be given all the information needed. 

As of July 2024, DSPS will not have staff to provide tutoring services. 

Please seek assistance for Math and English tutoring at the Math Success Center and Writing Success Center.

 
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Student Guidelines - Classroom Interpreter

I understand that if I am provided with Interpreting Services from Disability Support Programs & Services (DSPS) at Napa Valley College, then I will accept and adhere to the following guidelines and responsibilities:

1.  Communication: 

  • I will check my email regularly for correspondence from the Interpreter Liaison (IL) Sandy Barros sbarros@napavalley.edu, as this will be the main source of communication regarding interpreter services. 

2.  Requesting Services: 

  • I understand that I have priority registration, and that I need to register for classes early. 
  • I will make an appointment with DSPS Counselor Tyler Downie to register for classes each semester. 
  •  I will fill out the Interpreter Request to request interpreter services. 
  • I understand that if I make my request less than two weeks before classes start, then it is likely that I will not have an interpreter arranged by the start of class. 

3.  Absences: 

  • I will contact the IL by email, phone, or in person 48 hours before any absences from class. 
  • If I do not give 48 hours’ notice of an absence, I will be considered a “No-Show.” 
  • If I am going to miss a class on Monday, then I will contact the IL by Wednesday afternoon to avoid being considered a “No-Show.” 

4.  Punctuality: 

  • I realize the importance of being on time for class. 
  • I understand that the interpreter will only wait 10 minutes for each hour that the class is scheduled up to a 20-minute maximum. 
  • If I do not show up before the end of this waiting period, then I will be considered a “No-Show,” and no interpreter will be provided. 
  • If I contact the IL to let her know that I am running late, then, if possible, my interpreter will be asked to wait for me until I arrive. 

5.  Suspension of Services: 

  • I am allowed only two “No-Shows" per semester. 
  • I understand that if I am a “No-Show” three times in one semester, then my interpreter services may be temporarily suspended. 
  • Services may only be reinstated after I meet with the DSPS Dean. 
  • Once my services are reinstated, I understand that if I am a “No-Show” again, then my services may be suspended for the rest of the semester, until a formal complaint is filed and ruled upon. 

6.  Changes to Class Schedule: 

  • I will notify the IL immediately if there are any changes to my class schedule (if I drop a class, room changes, etc.) 

7.  Interpreter Problems: 

  • If I have complaints about an interpreter, I will first discuss it with the interpreter and then, only if the problem is not resolved, discuss it with the IL. 
  • I will report interpreter "No-Shows” to the IL immediately. 

8.  Exams: 

  • I will notify the IL 5 business days in advance of all test days. 
  • If I take my exam in the Testing Center, then no interpreter will be provided. 
  • I will request an interpreter for my final exams two weeks in advance. 

9.  Conduct: 

  • I will not have personal conversations with the interpreter while in class. 
  • I will not behave in a rude or threatening manner toward the interpreter. 
  • I understand that gross misconduct may result in suspension of services. 
  • I will not exchange personal phone numbers or email addresses with the interpreter. All communications are to be handled by the IL. 

 
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Student Guidelines - Non-Classroom Interpreter

I understand that if I am provided with Interpreting Services from Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS) at Napa Valley College, then I will accept and adhere to the following guidelines and responsibilities: 

1.  Communication: 

  • I will check my email regularly for correspondence from the Interpreter Liaison (IL) Sandy Barros sbarros@napavalley.edu, as this will be the main source of communication regarding interpreter services. 

2.  Requesting Services: 

  • I will fill out the Non-Classroom Interpreter Request to request interpreter services. 
  • I understand that if I make my request less than two weeks before the meeting/activity, then it is likely that I will not have an interpreter arranged by the start of the meeting/activity. 

3.  Absences: 

  • I will contact the IL by email, phone, or in person 48 hours before any absences from the meeting/activity. 
  • If I do not give 48 business-day hours’ notice of an absence, I will be considered a “No-Show.” 
  • If I am going to miss a meeting/activity on Monday, then I will contact the IL by Wednesday afternoon to avoid being considered a “No-Show.” 

4.  Punctuality: 

  • I realize the importance of being on time for the meeting/activity. 
  • I understand that the interpreter will only wait 10 minutes for each hour that the meeting/activity is scheduled up to a 20-minute maximum. 
  • If I do not show up before the end of this waiting period, then I will be considered a “No-Show,” and no interpreter will be provided. 
  • If I contact the IL to let her know that I am running late, then, if possible, my interpreter will be asked to wait for me until I arrive. 

5.  Suspension of Services: 

  • I am allowed only two “No-Shows” per semester. 
  • I understand that if I am a “No-Show” three times in one semester, then my interpreter services may be temporarily suspended. 
  • Services may only be reinstated after I meet with the DSPS Dean. 
  • Once my services are reinstated, I understand that if I am a “No-Show” again, then my services may be suspended for the rest of the semester, until a formal complaint is filed and ruled upon. 

6.  Changes to Meeting/Activity Schedule: 

  • I will notify the IL immediately if there are any changes to my meeting/activity schedule.

7.  Interpreter Problems: 

  • If you have complaints about an interpreter, I will first discuss it with the interpreter and then, only if the problem is not resolved, discuss it with the IL. 
  • I will report interpreter No-Shows” to the IL immediately. 

8.  Conduct: 

  • I will not have personal conversations with the interpreter while they’re on the assignment. 
  • I will not behave in a rude or threatening manner toward the interpreter. 
  • I understand that gross misconduct may result in suspension of services. 
  • I will not exchange personal phone numbers or email addresses with the interpreter. All communications are to be handled by the IL.

Online Form
 
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Student Guidelines - Captioner: Real Time
I understand that if I am provided with Captioning Services from Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS) at Napa Valley College, then I will accept and adhere to the following guidelines and responsibilities:

 

1.  Communication: 

  • I will check my email regularly for correspondence from the Captioner Liaison (CL) Sandy Barros sbarros@napavalley.edu, as this will be the main source of communication regarding Captioning services.

2.  Requesting Services: 

  • I understand that I have priority registration, and that I need to register early.
  • I will make an appointment with Tyler Downie, DSPS Counselor, to register for classes each semester.
  • I will fill out the Captioning Request to request Captioning services.
  • I understand that if I make my request less than two weeks before classes start, then it is likely that I will not have captioners arranged by the start of class.

3.  Absences: 

  • I will contact the CL by email, phone, or in person 48 hours in advance of any absences from class.
  • If I do not give 48 hours’ notice of an absence, I will be considered a “No-Show.”
  • If I am going to miss a class on Monday, then I will contact the CL by Friday morning to avoid being considered a “No-Show.”

4.  Punctuality: 

  • I realize the importance of being on time for class.
  • I understand that the captioner will only wait 10 minutes for each hour that the class is scheduled up to a 20-minute maximum.
  • If I do not show up before the end of this waiting period, then I will be considered a “No-Show,” and no captioner will be provided.
  • If I contact the CL to let her know that I am running late, then, if possible, my captioner will be asked to wait for me until I arrive.

5.  Suspension of Services: 

  • I am allowed only two “No-Shows” per semester.
  • I understand that if I am a “No-Show” three times in one semester, my captioning services may be temporarily suspended.
  • Services may only be reinstated after I meet with the DSPS Dean.
  • Once my services are reinstated, I understand that if I am a “No-Show” again, then my services may be suspended for the rest of the semester, until a formal complaint is filed and ruled upon.

6.  Changes to Class Schedule: 

  • I will notify the CL immediately if there are any changes to my class schedule (if I drop a class, room changes, etc.)  

7.  Captioning Problems: 

  • If you have complaints about a captioner, I will first discuss it with the captioner and then, only if the problem is not resolved, discuss it with the CL.
  • I will report captioner No-Shows” to the CL immediately.

8.  Exams: 

  • I will notify the CL 5 business days in advance of all test days.
  • If I take my exam in the Testing Center, then no captioner will be provided.
  • I will request captioners for my final exams two weeks in advance.

9.  Conduct: 

  • I will not have personal conversations with the captioner while they’re on assignment.
  • I will not behave in a rude or threatening manner toward the captioner.
  • I understand that gross misconduct may result in suspension of services.
  • I will not exchange personal phone numbers or email addresses with the captioners. All communications are to be handled by the CL.

Alternate Path for Requesting Accommodations

The student who is requesting accommodations and does not wish to utilize college Disability Support Programs & Services (DSPS) services may call (707) 256-7345. The student must provide an official Verification of Disability signed by an appropriate medical professional.
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