Disability Support Services (DSS)
Virtual Chat
Thank you for visiting the Southwestern College DSS Web page. We are delighted to support you! You can chat live with DSS Staff during DSS business hours by clicking the “Enter DSS Lobby” button. We may be assisting other students when you enter the DSS lobby so please wait momentarily to be served. Thank you for your patience.
You can find many of the forms and information you may need below on the DSS Web site. Find out how to request an appointment, accommodations, records, and services below.
Use Cranium Café to chat with staff through the Virtual Welcome Center. Our student service specialists have their hours of availability listed on their profile cards.
What is DSS
Disability Support Services (DSS) provides the support services for students with disabilities at Southwestern College mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990 are civil rights legislation implemented to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
Operating under these mandates, DSS provides students who qualify with specialized services to support maximum participation in Southwestern College programs and activities.
How to Apply for DSS Services
In order to be eligible for DSS Services, you must be a Southwestern College student with a disability that can be verified.
- 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).
- Email your completed, signed, and dated DSS Application to dss@swccd.edu
- Provide disability verification documentation to DSS. Your disability verification documentation may come from your high school, a health care practitioner or a social service 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 to DSS via the Document Dropbox for Students, a secure application available through your MySWC Account.
Login to your MySWC Account to electronically submit documents to DSS Student Dropbox.
The DSS Student Dropbox page also includes detailed instructions on how to use the dropbox. You can also view instructions in this Student Dropbox instructional video.
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.
Request a DSS Appointment
Students already in the DSS program can request an appointment online without having to call the office. Login to your MySWC Account and complete this Request a DSS Appointment form if you are currently a DSS student and would like DSS to contact you to schedule an appointment. We will call you in one business day or less to schedule your appointment.
Request Authorized Academic Accommodation Forms
Continuing DSS students can use this Request for Authorized Academic Accommodations form. Follow the instructions on the form to have your accommodations emailed to you.
Requesting DSS Records
No information will be released from Southwestern College Disability Support Services (DSS) without a signed Consent to Release Confidential Information form on file. Students must complete this form and submit the form to the DSS office at dss@swccd.edu with a current valid photo ID. This release form pertains only to records originated by the Southwestern College Disability Support Services (DSS) office.
Records originated from health care providers, social service agencies and other educational institutions will not be released to outside parties. We recommend you request these records from their original source.
Our Services
High Tech Center
Learn about a variety of assistive technologies, evaluate needs, and accomplish 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 specialized exercise courses.
Learning Disability Assessments
What is a learning disability (LD)? Find out more, including who is eligible for a learning assessment and how LD is determined.
Test Proctoring
Have you been assigned testing accommodations? Find out what you need to do to use DSS Test Proctoring.
Interpreting/Real-Time Captioning
Find out what services are available to promote language equality, such as note-taking, captioning, and more.
Resources
In addition to DSS services, a variety of supportive programs, activities, and resources are available through the Southwestern College Disability Support Services (DSS) Office.
Additional resources made available through DSS richly enhance the educational experience of students in the program and prepares students for life after college.
Click on any of the below links for more information:
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.