Getting Started

To qualify for DSPS services, you must: 

• Be an enrolled student at Bakersfield College and have an assigned student ID number.
  • Apply to Bakersfield College
• Have a verifiable disability which limits one or more major life activities resulting in an educational limitation.

Students who are new to DSPS will need to complete the following steps in order to meet for an intake appointment with a DSPS Counselor:

1. Complete the online application 
2. Provide verification of disability
   1. Documentation may be submitted along with the application, if available, or at a later time using the “Upload Documentation” tab 

• Students who have established DSPS services must renew their accommodation plan each academic year by scheduling an appointment with their DSPS counselor.
• If you have enrolled for DSPS services in the past and have not met with a counselor in at least four (4) academic semesters will need to complete the online application to re-initiate services. 

• Disability verification is needed in order to establish services with DSPS.
• Examples of acceptable documents to assist with verification include but are not limited to:   
  • IEP/504 plan
  • Psychological evaluations
  • A letter from a treating physician
  • Medical treatment plans
  • Medication labels related to a diagnosed disability
  • Department of Rehabilitation IPP
  • Veteran Services disability award letter
  • Social Security award letter
  • DSPS can provide on-site verification on a case-by-case basis
• If you have already completed an application, please submit your disability verification
• For your convenience, DSPS has a Disability Verification Form you can provide to your medical provider. Documentation does not need to be provided on this form.

Please Note:

When the recommendations from your physician are for support to enhance success or are considered outside the scope of what is considered reasonable or necessary for equal access, the student will be referred to other resources and/or given options that may be able to address the specific need. 
 
Although a medical provider may make a recommendation for accommodation, the final decision for reasonable accommodation is made by the DSPS Counselor after thorough engagement in the interactive process.  

After receiving your completed application and supporting disability verification, a DSPS staff member will contact you to schedule a 1-hour intake appointment with a DSPS counselor. The intake appointment involves an interactive dialogue between the student and counselor to identify any barriers to learning you may be experiencing.

During peak times, such as the three weeks before and after the start of the semester, and during priority registration, there is a high volume of students seeking appointments, which may result in longer wait times.

• Students are encouraged to make plans to meet with their counselors in advance to avoid undesired wait times.
• Students new to BC are strongly encouraged to apply to DSPS as early as possible.
• Current BC students may request accommodations at any time, but are encouraged to meet with a DSPS Counselor as soon as they become aware of a need.
• Be aware that it may take time after an intake meeting to finalize and facilitate accommodations.
• Accommodations cannot be provided retroactively.