Center for Students with Disabilities

How to receive services during Spring 2020 remote instructions due to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Dear Students,

I hope this message finds you well and that you are all taking good care of yourselves and those around you.

This is a time where we all need to come together in a common effort to take seriously social distancing, good hygiene (wash hands), and self-quarantine when having any symptoms of illness.

We understand that these are challenging times and we would like you to know that our office will continue to provide support services to you. Although our office is closed for in person contact, you will still be able to reach us by:

Phone at (310) 434-4265
Email at dsps@smc.edu
If you know your counselor or LD/ABI/HTTC Specialists, please directly contact them via email ( Last_first name@smc.edu) or by phone. You can find their contact information athttp://www.smc.edu/StudentServices/DisabilityResources/Pages/Faculty-and-Staff.aspx
If you have any questions concerning interpreting services, please directly contact Denise Henninger, DHH Supervisor by email at Henninger_Denise@smc.edu or by text at (818) 570-3813

Office hours

Monday-Friday from 8am -5pm

How to apply for services?

Make an appointment with a counselor at dsps@smc.edu or call (310) 434-4265
Complete a Center for Students with Disabilities application form
Read, sign and date a Student Rights & Responsibilities form
Submit your documentation at dsps@smc.edu or directly to the counselor you will have an appointment with.

*Please note that our fax machine will not be operational during spring 2020 therefore, do not fax us any documents.

Counseling appointments

You will be able to schedule a counseling appointment and "meet" with your counselor except it will be done remotely either by phone or video online. You may schedule an appointment either by:

Calling (310) 434-4265 (for new & continuing students)

Emailing dsps@smc.edu (for new & continuing students)

Online via Corsair Connect – (for continuing students only) -here are the steps:

Corsair Connect – "SMC Quick Links" (left side) – Book a Counseling Appointment –

Pick your drop-down options (Program/Area, Counselor, Day of Week, Start Time, End Time) – Submit

Be sure to update your personal information such as the best phone number to reach you and make sure you set up an SMC email account if you have not already done so. You may update your information at

www.smc.edu/stayconnected

Your counseling session will take place either by phone or video online via ZOOM. Either a staff member or your counselor will contact you the day before to inform you of the method of communication. If it is by Zoom, see below instructions.

Please be sure to check your SMC email because your counselor will email a link inviting you to join the scheduled meeting that will look like this:

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: ( your counselor's link here)

Click on the link in the email. The session will automatically open. It may ask to use the App or Internet – choose open with App

Testing Accommodations

As you already know, all your on- ground classes are transitioning online. If you have been approved for testing accommodation and already turned in the Testing Accommodation Authorization Form (yellow proctor form) to the Center for Students with Disabilities, you do not need to do anything. The yellow form has already been emailed to your instructors who will know how much time to grant you when your testing will be set up online. However, I would recommend that you take the extra step to remind your instructors that you have been approved for extended time a few days prior to each exam.

If you are approved to use assistive technology (eg. Kurzweil, Dragon, etc...) to complete your exams, please contact:

Elena Throckmorton 310-434-4267 throckmorton_elena@smc.edu

Tom Peters 310-434-8706 peters_thomas@smc.edu

Lisa Courto 310-434-4267 courto_lisa@smc.edu

AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

If you are eligible for testing accommodation and have not yet requested it for this semester and would like to do so, please either email your counselor or contact the office by using one of the above contact methods as soon as possible.

Note-taking

If you were approved to receive notes as an accommodation, this Spring 2020 semester, you will continue to receive this service if your classes have a lecture via Zoom or audio pre-recorded lecture. The note-taker will directly email you the notes and provide a copy to Carla Alvarado, DSPS Specialist. If you have any questions concerning your approved Spring 2020 notes, please contact
Carla at Alvarado_carla@smc.edu or call her at 310-434-4265.
*Note-taking service is an approved accommodation based on the functional limitations of a disability and is determined on a case by case basis by a DSPS counselor, ABI/LD specialists. If you would like to discuss you need for note-taking service for this spring 2020 semester, please directly contact your counselor, ABI or LD specialist or call 310-434-4265 or email at dsps@smc.edu.

Assistive technology services/Alt Media

Please contact Tom Peters at ( 310) 434-8706 , Peters_thomas@smc.edu or Elena Throckmorton at
(310) 434-4267, Throckmorton_elena@smc.edu or Lisa Courto at (310) 434-4267, Courto_lisa@smc.edu for any assistive technology accommodations.
If you have been receiving Alternate Media, contact Aaron French at (310) 434 -8934 or email french_aaron@smc.edu.

DHH

If you were receiving interpreting or captioning accommodations, you will continue to receive those services if your classes have a live lecture via Zoom. If you have questions, please directly contact Denise Henninger at Henninger_Denise@smc.edu or text her at (818) 570-3813.

Learning Disability

If you have any questions related to the learning Disability Program, please call ( 310) 434-4684 or email ld@smc.edu and a staff will respond to you in a timely manner.

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

If you have any questions related to the Acquired Brain Injury Program, please contact Stephanie Lewis at (310) 434-4442 or email Lewis_stephanie@smc.eduor call the main office at (310) 434-4265 or email dsps@smc.edu

What to do to drop a class and receive refund?

Due to recent guidance from the California Community College Chancellor's Office, we are able to announce the following changes:

A petition is no longer needed when dropping a class due to COVID-19 implications. Simply drop the class on Corsair Connect before the "Last Day to Withdraw" (aka "Drop") deadline

If you previously petitioned, ensure you dropped your class already, or do so by the deadline

Previously dropped spring 2020 classes will automatically qualify and be processed for the removal of a "W"

REMINDER: The "Last Day to Withdraw" is the new deadline to drop a class and receive a refund, and not receive a "W".

NOTE: it states in Corsair Connect that the "Last Day to Withdraw" is a Guaranteed "W" deadline, but due to the recently approved guidance you will not receive a "W" if you make your drop BEFORE this date for that specific course

Useful FAQs

What is the "Last Day to Withdraw?"

Each class has its own date
Click on "Drop a Class" in Corsair Connect and then scroll to the "Class Drop Deadlines" section
To the far right of each class you will see its "Last Day to Withdraw" deadline

What if I already petitioned?

Ensure you in fact dropped the class, if not, do so now. You must drop yourself through Corsair Connect

What if I am an F1 student who already petitioned?

Ensure you dropped the class, if not, do so now. You must drop yourself through Corsair Connect
Remember, you must contact an IECC counselor if you must drop below 12 units

If I drop my class, will I get a "W"?

The state has approved the removal of a "W" from your transcript, as long you make the drop BEFORE the "Last Day to Withdraw" for that class

Will I get a refund?

Yes, for the class that was dropped by the deadline (NOTE: the refund will take some time)
However, if a student remains enrolled in any other class, student services fees (Health, Associated Students, ID Card fee) will NOT be refunded

Should I drop my class?

Students are asked to VERY carefully consider if dropping the class is truly in their best interest
Understandably, tensions and frustrations are high, but do consider potential consequences, such as:

Financial Aid impact (email: financialaid@smc.edu)
Reaching your educational goal
Transferring (contact a counselor first)
Health Insurance
Visa status (F-1 students visit www.smc.edu/askiecc)
Veteran benefits (email: VetsOutreach@smc.edu)
and many others

Will I get a parking permit refund?

Parking refunds should be requested by emailing parking@smc.edu.

How do I get help?

SMC is here to help you! Use the Contact Student Services link below:

Contact Student Services

I encourage you all to do your best to rise to the challenge of completing your courses remotely. This is an opportunity to expand your ability to work remotely, a skill that will be expected more in the future, and to continue making progress toward your academic goals. Just because you've never done it before doesn't mean you can't do it now. You can do it! Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need anything! Our entire staff will be working remotely to respond to your inquiries.

Remember, take care of yourself and those around you! Be kind, patient and understanding. Many people are fearful so practice a gentle voice, it can make a big difference.

Keep checking your email for updates.

Many Blessings!

Center for Students with Disabilities faculty and staff

About the Center for Students with Disabilities

Santa Monica College makes every effort to make its campus fully accessible to students with disabilities. The college's Center for Students with Disabilities offers guidance and counseling on admissions requirements and procedures, as well as a number of special programs to help students with their academic, vocational, and career planning goals. In addition, the Center offers services such as tutoring, specialized equipment, test proctoring, among many other accommodations for students who are eligible.

Students: Everything you need to know about participating in the Center for Students with Disabilities Program can be found in the CSD Handbook.

Center for Students with Disabilities application form

Services and Hours

Services and staff for students with disabilities are available in three locations on SMC's Main Campus.