Disability Support Services (DSS)
Creating Environments Where Everyone Can Thrive
Are you seeking an inclusive, accessible experience that meets your educational and personal needs? That’s what we’re here for.
Disability Support Services ensures that all students with disabilities receive what they need. Maximum participation is the goal for all students, and we're to help.
Need test proctoring? Real-time captioning? Are you curious if you might need some support? We can help.
Our role is to provide you with an accessible and engaging educational environment that empowers success. We create innovative accommodations, programs, services so everyone can succeed at Southwestern.
Our Services
High Tech Center
Learn on a variety of assistive technology, evaluate needs, and more in a supportive environment.
Disability, Academic and Personal Counseling
Get help with your Student Education Plan, academic advising, referrals, and more.
Educational Assistance Courses
Improve your academic skills, identify career goals, and participate in exercise science.
Learning Disability Assessments
What is a learning disability? Find out more, including who is eligible and how that is determined.
Test Proctoring
Have you been assigned testing accommodations? Find out what you need to do to ensure you get it.
Interpreting/Real-Time Captioning
Find out what services are available to promote language equality, such as note-taking, captioning, and more.
How to Apply for DSS
In order to be eligible for DSS services, you must be a Southwestern College student with a disability that can be verified.
Application Steps
1. Log into your My SWC Account to complete the Southwestern College DSS Application (English); DSS Application (Spanish)
If you do not have a My SWC Account, you may complete a PDF version of the Southwestern College DSS Application (PDF - English); DSS Application (PDF - Spanish).
2.Email your completed, signed, and dated DSS Application to swcdssapplication@swccd.edu
3.Provide disability documentation to DSS. Your disability documentation may come from your high school or from a health care practitioner or agency.
For recent high school graduates, disability verification includes:
• A copy of your IEP and Psychological Report; OR
• A copy of your 504 Plan.
Other Applicants: Disability Verification can be submitted by having a health care professional or agency complete and sign Part "C" of the Disability Verification Form (PDF - English); Disability Verification Form (PDF - Spanish).
Submitting Verification Documents to DSS
If you have a Southwestern College student ID number, you can submit documents electronically through the DSS Student Dropbox. An instructional video on how to upload documents is available once you have logged into the MySWC Portal.
When DSS has received your DSS application and disability documentation we will contact you to schedule an appointment with a DSS Specialist. We will discuss appropriate accommodations, support services, and academic programs through an interactive process with you at this appointment.
Working With You
As a student working with DSS, you will create a Student Learning Outcome (SLO) with one of our staffers. SLOs clearly identify what you will be able to do or demonstrate upon completion of a course, an appointment, or a service.
With the help of your professors and academic accommodations and services, the goal is to ensure you can thrive in the classroom and develop skills to solve problems.
Using DSS
Outside the Classroom Resources
A.B.L.E. Club
The student-led Abilities Beyond Limitation through Education club increases disability awareness throughout Southwestern’s campus.
Access Awards
Open to students and staff, these awards recognize those who make a difference to life on campus for students with disabilities.
Workability
This program provides career counseling for students with disabilities, including skills training, employment prep, and more.