DAC Mission

Who we serve: The Disability Access Center (DAC) serves any enrolled student who meets the standard of a qualified individual with a disability (QID), regardless of whether temporarily or permanently disabled.

What we do: DAC ensures that qualified students with disabilities receive appropriate accommodations at Sac State. Examples of accommodations include:

• Classroom Accommodations
• Testing Accommodations
• Housing Accommodations

Our Mission: In alignment with the University’s commitment to inclusivity and guided by applicable policies and legal regulations, The Disability Access Center (DAC) provides a comprehensive range of access services that facilitate equal educational opportunity for students with disabilities.

Our Vision: To equip our students with tools that foster positive disability identity, independence, and self-advocacy that prepare them for meaningful, productive lives.

Our Philosophy: DAC views disability as a positive identity that has been marginalized by ableist ideology. As such, disabled individuals are entitled to civil rights just as any marginalized identity. Civil rights, disability rights, and disability justice movements were led by disabled individuals, making possible the passing of the regulations for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the ADA Amendment Act.

Applying for Accommodations at Sac State

DAC looks forward to assisting you with your accommodation needs. First and foremost, it is essential that you monitor your Sac State email account, as the Disability Access Center will send all DAC email communication to your Sac State email account.

The Disability Access Center application process involves six important steps. Below is a process summary as well as detailed steps for completing the interactive application process:

How to Apply:

1. Click the DAC Student Portal button below
2. Click "Apply for Services"
3. Answer the short questionnaire
4. Upload your documentation
5. Agree and Submit
6. You will receive a confirmation email to your CSUS Email account within 24 hours.
7. You will receive a Disability Access Center profile activation email within three business days of submitting your application which will include directions for scheduling your intake appointment.
   Please watch the following video to better understand what will occur in your intake appointment:
   ASL Interpreted Version
   Non ASL Interpreted Version
8. In some cases, requested accommodations may require additional evaluation, which may include the need for additional information about your functional limitations.
9. Once accommodations have been approved by an Access Coordinator, then you will be able to send your accommodation letters to designated faculty.

Please be aware that from start to finish the intake process can take several weeks. We recommend that students apply as soon as they know they may need accommodations.The Disability Access Center is open throughout each semester and during the summer, spring, and winter breaks.

In most cases, once you have been approved for accommodation, the renewal process only takes a few clicks each semester.

Documentation Guidelines

DAC may request supporting documentation to better understand your current functional limitations and their impact on the learning environment. Based on the nature of your disability and the type of accommodations you are requesting, we have the following suggestions for documentation submission:

Academic Accommodations:

• Developmental Disability – Most recent psychoeducational evaluation or neuropsychological evaluation
• Learning Disability – Most recent learning disability assessment/evaluation. If you had an IEP in high school, this document would be contained in your most recent Triennial Evaluation.
• Physical/Medical Disability – DAC General Medical Provider form
• Psychological Disability – DAC General Medical Provider form
• The DAC will accept copies of your IEP and/or 504 Plan as supplemental documentation, as such documents contain information about your history of accommodations. However, such documentation will likely need to include additional information such as copies of psychoeducational evaluations or other types of evaluative instruments to better understand your functional limitations. Generally, evaluative information is contained in an IEP Triennial Evaluation.

Please note that accommodations approved in IEPs and 504 plans do not automatically transfer to the college setting. Your need for accommodations will be assessed based on the information that you provide in an interactive process with the DAC.

Housing Accommodations:

• DAC Housing Medical Provider form
• DAC ESA Questionnaire

If your qualified clinician prefers to provide a letter in support of your accommodation needs, please provide them with a copy of the appropriate medical provider form so that they can review the form and address all the appropriate form’s questions in their letter. Letters should be written on official letterhead and include the clinician’s licensure information and clinical area of practice.

Once you are ready to apply for services:

Student Portal

Transfer Student Information

In addition to medical documentation or learning disability assessments, you are encouraged to submit copies of accommodation letters used at previous institutions. The Disability Access Center will engage in an interactive process with you to determine appropriate accommodations at Sac State. If you are unable to locate your medical documentation, you should contact your previous college/university to request copies of the documents used to qualify for accommodations.

The Disability Access Center is excited to serve our transfer student population. It is important to note that accommodations do not automatically transfer from one institution to another, as each post-secondary institution has its own processes for approving accommodations and providing resources.

Transition Guide

CCE Student Information

College of Continuing Education (CCE)

The College of Continuing Education (CCE) and the Disability Access Center (DAC) at Sacramento State are committed to providing qualified students with disabilities equal access to their educational and vocational goals. Students are responsible for submitting an application as well as current and relevant medical documentation, and for meeting with an Access Coordinator to discuss accommodation requirements. Once approved for course modifications or adjustments, students are responsible each semester, for sending the approved accommodation letters to faculty.

CCE Website

Renewing Accommodations Each Term

Each term students are responsible for requesting accommodation letters to be sent to their faculty via the Online Portal. Once requested by the student via the Online Portal, the accommodation letters are automatically delivered to the faculty via the Online Portal. Faculty will be expecting an accommodation letter dated for the current semester otherwise accommodation will not be provided.

Accommodations are not retroactive. So, request approved accommodations as soon as possible.

If accommodations need to be changed/updated, the request must be approved by your designated Access Coordinator before submitting a request to have an accommodation letter be sent. If approved, the change will be reflected in the Online Portal.

If you are ready to renew your accommodations for the current semester.

1. Click the DAC Student Portal
2. Click Request Accommodation Letters
3. Click the Accommodations button
4. Choose which classes you would like to send an accommodation letter to
5. Hit Submit

Student Portal

Priority Registration

Priority Registration is not automatically approved for students registered with the Disability Access Center. Instead, priority registration is an accommodation that can be applied for by students who have disability-related symptoms, and/or medical appointments that adversely affect their ability to take classes on certain days or times. Priority registration does not guarantee that the required courses will be offered on days and/or times that best-fit students' needs.

Essential Information About College Accommodations

The Disability Access Center (DAC) is here to support you as you transition to Sac State from your former school, whether you are coming from high school, community college or another university. Unlike in high school, accommodations are not automatically provided. You must apply and actively manage your accommodations and services each semester. If you are transferring from another college or university, the processes for applying for and using your approved accommodations may be different than your former institution. Lastly, accommodations are not retroactive, so it is important that you apply as early as possible or as soon as you have been diagnosed with a condition that may have a significant impact on the learning environment.

Understanding the Transition to College
There are important differences between K–12 and college accommodations:

Self-Advocacy is Key
You are responsible for requesting services, scheduling appointments and exam proctoring sessions, and communicating with instructors when needed to access your approved accommodations.

IEPs and 504 Plans
IEPs and 504 plans do not automatically transfer to the college setting. However, they may be helpful as supportive documentation, especially when such plans contain specific information about your functional limitations.

Eligibility for Accommodations and Services
The DAC engages in an interactive process that includes meeting with students to discuss accommodation needs, reviewing supportive documentation, and identifying barriers to determine appropriate accommodations.

How Accommodation Requests Are Evaluated

Accommodation requests are reviewed on an individual, case-by-case basis. During this process, the Disability Access Center will:

• Review your self-report and any supportive documentation of disability-related functional limitations
• Consider how your disability impacts access to the academic environment
• Identify barriers you may experience in courses, housing, or campus programs
• Seek to understand the nexus between your functional limitations, identified or anticipated barriers, and your requested accommodations
• Determine whether the requested accommodations are reasonable and appropriate within a course and/or university setting

• A functional limitation;
• Creates a barrier in the academic environment or access to fully participate in any of Sac State’s programs, services, and/or activities
• Is addressed by a specific accommodation

In some cases, accommodations may be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. This is because:

• Each course has unique formats, learning objectives, and essential requirements
• An accommodation that is appropriate in one course may not be reasonable or necessary in another
• Some accommodations could fundamentally alter key components of a specific course or program

For these reasons, the Disability Access Center may consult with instructors or academic departments to ensure that approved accommodations provide access while maintaining the integrity of the course or academic program.

Please note:

• Accommodations must provide equal access, not alter essential course requirements or fundamentally change a program
• Some requests may require additional documentation or consultation before a decision is made

Understanding Documentation: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources

The DAC may consider multiple forms of documentation when evaluating accommodation requests:

Primary Documentation (Student Self-Report)

• Your personal description of your disability and lived experience
• Information shared in your application and intake appointment
• Explanation of your functional impacts, including how your disability affects learning, communication, attention, mobility, or other activities
• Description of specific barriers you experience and the accommodations you are requesting
• When functional limitations are readily apparent, primary documentation may be sufficient to support some accommodation decisions

Secondary Documentation (Medical or Clinical Information)

• Records from qualified providers (e.g., physician, psychologist, therapists etc.)
• May include diagnoses, treatment history, and clinical observations
• Should support and clarify the functional limitations related to your disability and their impact on the learning environment
• In many cases, secondary documentation is the most helpful in understanding the nature and extent of functional limitations

Tertiary Documentation (History of Accommodations)

• Prior history of approved accommodations or adjustments from other institutions
• Examples include IEPs, 504 Plans, or accommodation letters from other colleges or testing agencies

The Disability Access Center will consider all three sources together to better understand:

• The functional impacts of your disabling condition
• The barriers you may encounter in the university environment
• The connection (nexus) between your disability, barriers, and requested accommodations
• Whether your requested accommodations are appropriate and effective

If a Requested Accommodation Is Not Approved

In some cases, a specific accommodation request may not be approved. If this occurs:

• You will receive a detailed written response explaining the decision
• The Disability Access Center office will invite you to engage in an interactive process to explore alternative measures for meeting your access needs
• Staff will work with you to identify appropriate equally effective alternative accommodations that provide access

What You Can Do If Your Request Is Denied

If your requested accommodation is denied or modified:

Ask Questions
If you have questions or need clarification on the reason for the denial, you can request clarification about the decision and how it was made

Discuss Alternatives
Work with an access coordinator to identify effective alternative accommodations

Provide Additional Documentation
If additional documentation is requested to further evaluate your accommodation request, inquire about the type and or nature of documentation being requested and provided the updated documentation for review

Follow the Appeal Process
For situations where you believe that the accommodation decision is not reflective of the information and supportive documentation that you provided and barriers that you have identified, please follow the CSU Grievance Complaint, and Appeals Procedures below:

Grievance, Complaint, and Appeals Procedures
The purpose of these procedures is to ensure that the California State University system complies with the provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended (ADAAA), Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Section 504) and that faculty, staff, students, applicants, and visitors with disabilities are provided the means to seek resources in the event a violation is perceived to have occurred. This procedure is intended to reflect the systems commitment to the principles, goals and ideals described in the California State University Policy on Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Disability. It establishes due process and safeguards that will be followed by the system in the resolution of grievances.

This procedure places first priority on open, honest communication. No grievance procedure should take the place of negotiating in good faith. A grievance filed under this procedure will be initiated within six months of the alleged accident. The student may withdraw the grievance at any stage, at which point the process will immediately terminate. During all stages of the grievance the burden of proof will be on the student. The SSD program at each campus and/or its designee will help students understand the scope and details of the grievance procedure and may be called upon for assistance.

Initial assistance with complaints should be an informal process discussed with an SSD Director to determine how students can best resolve disagreement with policies, practices or individuals.

Resolutions through preventive intervention rather than formal complaints can, in most cases, result in a positive outcome.

1. Informal Complaint Resolution
   A student who has a complaint regarding determination of disability status, service provision and/or related issues should notify their SSD Coordinator or SSD Director/site designee as soon as possible in an attempt to resolve the issue. The SSD Director will arrange a meeting within 10 working days. The SSD Coordinator or site designee may attend this meeting at the request of either the student or the SSD Director.
   These complaints can include, but are not limited to, denial of accommodation, delay and/or denial of services or auxiliary equipment, unequal treatment and/or discrimination, program and architectural inaccessibility, and/or failure to be reasonably accommodated in the employment setting (student assistant campus positions only). The SSD Director will inform the student in writing of the outcome of the interaction no later than 10 working days after the meeting.
   If an informal resolution is not reached, the student may submit a formal complaint within 100 days of the event/action (or the last date of a related series of events/actions), notwithstanding any action taken by the appropriate administrator.
2. Formal Complaint Resolution
   A formal complaint may be filed by a student who has been denied services by the SSD Coordinator or site designee or is dissatisfied with the services provided. The campus SSD website shall provide information on how to file a formal complaint.
   Formal complaints must meet one of two criteria:
   1. Procedural error occurred that may have impacted the decision
   2. New evidence exists that was not reasonably available to present at the time of the original decision or informal complaint process.

The formal complaint must be made in writing to the SSD Director and include the following information:

1. The accommodation or service that is subject to the complaint.
2. Date of the complaint.
3. The facts on which the complaint is based.
4. Alleged procedural error or violation of policy.
5. New evidence that was not previously available that may affect a student’s requested service(s).
6. The resolution requested.

The decision regarding formal complaints shall be made by a committee of three people appointed by the Associate Vice President overseeing the SSD.

The Committee’s review will be to ensure due process was followed and if appropriate, consider new evidence that may affect a student’s requested service or accommodation. The SSD Director will notify the student in writing of the Committee’s decision regarding the complaint. The committee's decision will be final.

If a student feels they have been discriminated against due to a disability, they may file a complaint pursuant to the CSU’s Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Exploitation, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Retaliation (Nondiscrimination Policy).

Important Reminders

Start Early
The process can take two or more weeks depending on appointment availability and the time it may take for you to provide any requested supportive documentation.

Check Your Sac State Email Regularly
Missing emails may delay your progression through the application process.

Accommodations Are Not Retroactive
Accommodations apply only after approval and notification to instructors. It is best to begin the application process well before your classes begin.

Renew Each Semester
After initial approval, renewing approved accommodations is usually quick and completed online.

Complaints

Complaint Resolution Process

Disability Access Center (DAC) would appreciate the opportunity to address in an informal manner any complaints or concerns regarding alleged academic inaccessibility, discrimination, retaliation, and/or accommodations based on disability. However, students have the right to follow any of the Complaint Resolution processes below at any time.

Rights

You have the right to an accessible campus, including all University-related activities and programs, as stated in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADAAA). Additional legislation pertaining to the right to an accessible education can be found in the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, specifically Sections 504 and 508. Depending on the concern, students may be referred to other departments or resources that are more specifically responsible for the oversight of the concern area.

Responsibilities for Academic Accommodations

Follow established Disability Access Center processes for arranging and using academic accommodations each semester.

Informal Complaint Resolution

Complaints regarding DAC academic accommodation approvals should first be directed to the DAC Access Coordinator (AC) working directly with the student. If a concern relates to an Access Coordinator, then concerns may be addressed to the Disability Access Center Director in writing at dac@csus.edu, along with any new information or additional documentation for review. that has not previously been reviewed by the AC. The DAC Director or designee will arrange a meeting within 10 working days if the matter is not otherwise resolved via e-mail communication. The AC Coordinator or site designee may attend this meeting at the request of either the student or the AC Director/designee.

These complaints can include, but are not limited to, denial of accommodation, delay and/or denial of services or auxiliary equipment, unequal treatment and/or discrimination, program and architectural inaccessibility, and/or failure to be reasonably accommodated in the employment setting (student assistant campus positions only).

The DAC Director or designee will inform the student in writing of the outcome of the interaction no later than 10 working days after the meeting.

If an informal resolution is not reached, the student may submit a formal complaint within 100 days of the event/action (or the last date of a related series of events/actions), notwithstanding any action taken by the appropriate administrator.

It should be noted that DAC’s scope is to ensure equal academic access. As a result, concerns related to other departments or activities may be outside DAC scope, upon which referrals may be made to appropriate offices charged with providing the services in question

Formal Complaint Resolution

A formal complaint may be filed by a student who has been denied services by the DAC Coordinator or site designee or is dissatisfied with the services provided. The campus DAC website provides information on how to file a formal complaint.

Formal complaints must meet one of two criteria:

Procedural error occurred that may have impacted the decision, or

New evidence exists that was not reasonably available to present at the time of the original decision or informal complaint process.

The formal complaint must be made in writing to the DAC Director or designee and include the following information:

• The accommodation or service that is subject to the complaint,
• Date of the complaint,
• The facts on which the complaint is based,
• Alleged procedural error or violation of policy,
• New evidence that was not previously available that may affect a student’s requested service(s), and
• The resolution requested.

The decision regarding formal complaints shall be made by a committee of three people appointed by the Associate Vice President overseeing the DAC. The Committee’s review will be to ensure due process was followed and if appropriate, consider new evidence that may affect a student’s requested service or accommodation. The DAC Director or designee will notify the student in writing of the Committee’s decision regarding the complaint. The committee's decision will be final. For more information on this policy, refer to https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/14568219/latest/#autoid-77nv7.

If a student feels they have been discriminated against due to a disability, they may file a complaint pursuant to the CSU’s Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Exploitation, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, Stalking, and Retaliation (Nondiscrimination Policy) with the Office of Equal Opportunity CSUS Office for Equal Opportunity (OEO).

External Complaint Resolution

The Office for Civil Rights, a department within the U.S. Department of Education, ensures compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you feel you have experienced discrimination based on disability, please refer to the Questions and Answers on OCR's Complaint Process. Also, https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/file-complaint/how-the-office-for-civil-rights-handles-complaints.

Disability Access Center will make appropriate arrangements to ensure accommodations, if needed, to access any of the grievance processes. No faculty or staff member of CSUS may intimidate, threaten, coerce, or retaliate against anyone who files a complaint regarding a right enforced by the California State University Chancellor's Office Executive Order 1097and Executive Order 1111, or who cooperates in such an investigation. Anyone who believes that he or she has been intimidated or retaliated against should refer to Executive Order 1097 and Executive Order 1111 for further guidance.

Policies

The CSU Chancellor's Office - Policies addressing discrimination and disability rights, including disability discrimination:

• Executive Order 1096
• Executive Order 109
• Executive Order 1111

Provision of Accommodations and Support Services to Students with Disabilities