DISABILITY PROGRAMS AND RESOURCE CENTER


The Disability Programs and Resource Center (DPRC) collaborates with SF State’s diverse community to ensure that all aspects of campus life—learning, working, and living—are universally accessible. The DPRC provides the University with resources, education, and direct services in order that people with disabilities may have a greater opportunity to achieve social justice and equity.

Students with mobility, hearing, visual, communication, psychological, systemic (HIV/AIDS, environmental illness, etc.), and learning disabilities are encouraged to attend SFSU. The DPRC is available to facilitate equal access to the classroom and to campus related programs and activities. Eligible students with a verified temporary or permanent disability who are regularly enrolled or enrolled through the College of Extended Learning are provided with a full range of support services in order that they may define and achieve personal autonomy at SF State. The DPRC also provides assistance to eligible students in managing DPRC services, campus-wide access, attitudinal barriers, other campus resources, and disability civil rights.

SUPPORT SERVICES

Prospective students are encouraged to contact the DPRC early in the admission process in order to receive assistance and information about services. Students with disabilities need to apply for admission to the University using the standard admissions process. If the student's disability has prevented them from meeting any admission requirements and they believe they are an "otherwise qualified applicant," they may be eligible to request alternative admissions assistance from the DPRC. On a case-by-case basis, the DPRC examines an applicant's documentation and academic record to determine whether or not to support a recommendation for alternative admissions. The DPRC cannot offer alternative admissions assistance to prospective students who have not completed their admissions application and submitted all final transcripts. Students may also be eligible for one or more services, depending on the specific nature of their disabilities. Disability verification must be provided when registering with the DPRC. Specific services include the following:

COMPLAINT/GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

Every effort is put forth to ensure that students, faculty and staff with disabilities at San Francisco State University receive the services and accommodations to which they are entitled under federal law. Generally the campus community is sensitive to the need for accommodation. However, if an oversight to physical or programmatic access occurs at SF State, students and employees with disabilities have protection under Section 504 and the ADA. Students may file a complaint about University faculty, staff, administrators, or disability-related issues by following these procedures, which can also be found at: www.sfsu.edu/~dprc/grievance.html.

  1. Discuss the problem with a DPRC counselor. With permission of the student, the DPRC counselor will contact the faculty and/or staff on campus in an attempt to work out a solution to the problem.
  2. If the complaint is not satisfactorily resolved, or if the issue is with the DPRC counselor, the student may meet with the Assistant Director for Student Services.
  3. A grievance that is not resolved to the student's satisfaction by the Assistant Director for Student Services may them be addressed to the Managing Director of the DPRC.
  4. When a grievance cannot be resolved informally as described above, students can pursue their claims under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. To file a Section 504/ADA grievance, students should contact the Office of University Counsel, Administration Building, Room 562, (415) 338-2998.
  5. At any time students may file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). It is the DPRC's hope, however, that students will give the campus the chance to address their problems in a timely manner.

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
50 Beale Street, Suite 7200
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 486-5555
(415) 486-5570 Fax
(877) 521-2172 TTY
e-mail: OCR.SanFrancisco@ed.gov

Complaints may be made in person, by telephone, or in writing. The DPRC prefers to meet with students to discuss concerns and issues. DPRC counselors, the the Assistant Director for Student Services and the Managing Director are available for appointments.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information, contact Disability Programs and Resource Center at (415) 338-2472 (Voice/TTY), by email at dprc@sfsu.edu, or on the web at www.sfsu.edu/~dprc. Persons interested in visiting the office should come to the Student Services Building, Room 110.