Disability Support Services

What is Disability Support Services?

Disability Support Services is the campus office responsible for helping students and faculty determine and provide appropriate academic accommodations for students with disabilities in order to promote their retention and graduation. DSS is committed to assisting students with disabilities in achieving equal access to academic programs and facilities at CSU, Chico through academic support services, technology, and advocacy.

Who is eligible for services?

Support services are available to students with certified visual limitations, hearing and communication impairments, learning disabilities, mobility, and other functional limitations. Appropriate professional or medical verification of disability should be submitted directly to the DSS office. Additionally, students with temporary disabilities may also register with DSS.

The Policy and the Law:

CSU Policy for Provision of Accommodations and Support Services to Students with Disabilities prohibits unlawful discrimination against students on the basis of disability in CSU programs, services and activities, in accordance with, but not limited to, Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Both laws guarantee equitable access to and opportunity for an education without fundamentally altering the essential requirements and expectations of a class or programs. However, there are no provisions under Section 504 or the ADA for differential grading or modifying the fundamental requirements of a class or programs. The law requires the student to assume responsibility for providing documentation of their disability, identifying needed accommodations and making timely requests for support and services.

What kinds of accommodations are available?

• Priority registration
• Note takers
• Readers
• Lab assistants
• Extended exam time
• Taking exams in low distraction environment
• Sign language interpreters
• Transcription
• Assistive technology
• Text in alternative format
• Liaison with faculty and administration
• On-campus mobility assistance

What other services are available?

Students with disabilities are encouraged to participate in other campus learning assistance programs, including the Assistive Technology Center (ATC), study skills development, Supplemental Instruction (SI), and tutoring at the Student Learning Center (SLC),  and Math Lab.

Students are also encouraged to consult community agencies for services outside the scope of DSS, including attendant care, mobility training, and rehabilitation services.

What about confidentiality?

Student participation in DSS is confidential. DSS records are maintained separately from University records and participation in DSS is not noted on transcripts. Information can only be shared with written student permission.

How do I connect with DSS?

It is the student's responsibility to request accommodations from DSS. Students with disabilities are not required to register with DSS, but are strongly encouraged to do so. Generally, a more effective and coordinated set of accommodations is available to those who are registered with DSS. It is recommended that prospective students, whether first-time freshmen, or transfer students, contact DSS as early as possible after you have been accepted to Chico State. Please note that some services require lead time to coordinate. Please refer to the DSS website for a list of services and time required for implentation.

Access Guide for Students with Disabilities

CSU, Chico has worked to make all campus buildings accessible to individuals with disabilities. Students who may need assistive listening devices or special furniture in specific classrooms should go to or call Disability Support Services (DSS), SSC 170, 530-898-5959 V/TDD, to make arrangements.

Elevator keys are issued at DSS.

AGYM: Acker Gym

Two stories. All entrances accessible. Standard elevator. Electric door at main gym entrance.

AYRS: Ayres Hall

Two stories. All entrances accessible. Elevator available. Electric doors at south and west entrances

AJH: Aymer J. Hamilton

One story. Northwest entrance has 2" step-up. Other entrances accessible. Electric doors south entrance.

BMU: Bell Memorial Union

Three stories. Electric doors at entrances. Two elevators available.

BUTE: Butte Hall

Seven stories. All entrances accessible. Standard elevator. Limited accessibility to rooms 101-104. Electric door at west entrance.

CCE: Center for Continuing Education

Two stories. Entrance accessible. Key-activated chair lift to second floor

CLSA: Colusa Hall

One story. All entrances accessible.

GLNN: Glenn Hall

Three stories. All entrances accessible. Electric door at west entrance. Standard elevator, center of building.

HOLT: Holt Hall

Three stories. West, north, and east entrances accessible. South entrances not accessible. Electric doors at east and west entrance. Key-activated elevator. Room 170 limited accessibility.

KNDL: Kendall Hall

Two stories. East and southwest entrances accessible. Electric doors at southwest and east entrances. Main and north entrance not accessible. Elevator on east end.

LANG: Langdon Hall

Three stories. All entrances accessible. Key-activated elevator.

LAXS: Laxson Auditorium

Two stories. Front entrances accessible. Second floor not accessible.

MLIB: Meriam Library

Four stories. Entrances accessible. Electric doors at all entrances. Elevator to basement accessible only with magnetic card. Other floors, standard elevator.

MODC: Modoc Hall

Two stories. All entrances accessible. Electric door at southwest entrance. Elevator available. Room 114 limited accessibility.

OCNL: O'Connell Center

Three stories. All entrances accessible. Electric doors at north and south entrances.Standard elevator.

PAC: Performing Arts Center

Two stories. Southwest entrance only accessible entrance. Standard elevator.

PHSC: Physical Science Building

Three stories. Front west entrances accessible. Electric door at main entrance. Standard elevator.

PLMS: Plumas Hall

Three stories. All entrances accessible. Key-activated elevator. Lower level has minimal accessibility.

Residence Halls

Main cafeteria in Sutter Hall accessible. For accessible room availability, call Housing, 530-898-6325.

Selvester's Cafe-by-the-Creek

One story. South entrance accessible. Electric door south entrance.

SGYM: Shurmer Gym

One story. All entrances accessible.

SSC: Student Services Center

Four stories. All entrances accessible.

SSKU: Siskiyou Hall

One story. All entrances accessible. Electric door at east entrance.

SHC: Student Health Center

Two stories. All entrances accessible. Standard elevator. Electric door at north entrance.

TALR: Taylor Hall

Two stories. All entrances accessible. Electric door at west entrance. Standard elevator at west end.

THMA: Tehama Hall

Four stories. All entrances accessible. Electric door at east entrance.

TRNT: Trinity Hall

Two stories. All entrances accessible. Standard elevator, center of building. Electric door at west entrance.

YOLO: Yolo Hall

Two stories. All entrances accessible. Standard elevator.

YUBA: Yuba Hall

One story. All entrances accessible. Electric doors at both west entrances.

Accessible Parking

Maps showing accessible parking spaces are available at University Police (Yuba Hall, 530-898-5372) and Disability Support Services (SSC 170, 530-898-5959). A map of accessible parking areas can be downloaded either by clicking "A guide to the location of parking areas which are accessible to people with disabilities or visiting http://www.csuchico.edu/ada/visitors.shtml. Drivers using accessible spaces must display a DMV placard and university parking permit on their vehicles.