Welcome to ACCESS

PRESENTED BY: SHYAN DIAZ-BROWN-ACCESS COORDINATOR

ACCESS OUTREACH PRESENTATION

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2023

Who We Are

• Supporting students with verified disabilities, providing accommodations, auxiliary aids, and support services
• ACCESS coordinates services and accommodations required by eligible students to ensure that full accessibility to the campus and curriculum is achieved
• Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973 & Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990- guarantees every person with a disability equal access to all educational programs and activities offered by the college

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Topics Covered Today �Include:

• Differences between High School and College Services
• How to Join ACCESS
• Accommodations
• Services in ACCESS
• Counseling
• Support Classes
• College Life & Student Life at Moorpark College
• Self-Advocacy
• Q&A

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Differences between High School and College Accommodations

HIGH SCHOOL

• Focus is to promote SUCCESS
• Teachers and parents arrange services and assistance for the student
• Classes are chosen for you and your teachers are notified
• Modification of instruction and curriculum are commonly provided in response to student learning needs.

COLLEGE

• Focus is to provide ACCESS
• Students must initiate request for services and arrange required accommodations
• Students choose classes and decide if they want to share their accommodations
• Through an interactive interview process, reasonable accommodations are identified to ensure equal access and participation; Students are responsible for meeting the standards of the course, and essential elements of the course objectives are not modified.

Applying to ACCESS

Applying to ACCESS Video

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• Required to complete:
• Application for ACCESS Services & Intake Screening Form (digitally sends to ACCESS)
• Verification of Disability (Copies of verification of disability must be emailed to mcaccess@vcccd.edu)

Types of Verification of Disability:

• Most recent copy of IEP or 504 Plan, and psychoeducational testing report
• Verification of Disability Form (needs to be completed, signed, and stamped by a doctor or psychologist)

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Prep for Your Intake �Appointment

• To do before your intake meeting
• Online orientation to Moorpark College
• Think about your college goals
• Think about your class choices for the first semester.
• Example of Class Choices
• Refer to the Schedule of Classes on Moorpark College website

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Types of Accommodations

• Academic & disability counseling
• Alternative Media: E-text books, Braille, text-to-speech softwares, enlarged text
• ASL-English Interpreting
• Assistive equipment: Assistive listening devices, audio recorders, keyboards
• Adaptive furniture: adjustable height desks, desks in classrooms

• Learning skills classes (math skills, writing skills, study strategies)
• Note-taking
• Registration assistance (priority registration)
• Test taking accommodations: distraction reduced environment, semi-private rooms, extra time on tests, reading software, scribes, breaks

How to get accommodations

1. Initial Intake Appointment: This is an interactive process so please think about your educational limitations and strengths, because we will ask you to share them with us.
2. Keep connected: Check in with us every semester. We want to know how you are doing and know if there are any updates to your accommodations each semester. Moving forward together and working together through college is our goal.
3. Request for Accommodations: Every semester you fill out a request for accommodations form. Remember, your classes and teachers change every semester.

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DSPS Counseling

• Students registered in ACCESS receive academic and disability counseling.
• Counseling by appointment and drop-in counseling.
• Offered online through video meeting, phone meeting, or in-person meeting.
• Counselors help students with:
• Discussing Accommodations
• Educational plans
• Registration assistance
• Academic & Transfer Questions
• Discussing first semester English and Math courses

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Writing & Study Strategy �Support Classes

• LS M02 Basic Writing Skills
• Focus: Going over writing process, topic sentences, paragraph & short essay development, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure
• LS M02L Writing Skills Laboratory
• Focus: Practice of writing concepts and strategies. How to think when reading, writing, studying and notetaking
• LS M03 Personal Development & Study Strategies
• Focus: Personal growth skills: Self-awareness, personal responsibility, motivation, career & life planning, goal setting, communication, stress reduction.

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Math Support Classes

• LS M07A Basic Math Skills I & LS M07B Basic Math Skills II

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• Two semester math course, academically equivalent to Pre-Algebra. 
• Students learn content of pre-algebra, how to study and learn math through Mnemonics. 
• Students have opportunities to prepare for math exams, organize study material, prepare step by step learning cards, etc. 
• Students can choose to take both courses in sequence, or they can take whichever one they need.   

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College Life/ Student Life

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

• Athletics
• Associated Students
• MakerSpace
• MC L.E.A.D.S
• Peer Mentor Program
• Performing Arts
• Student Clubs
• Student Employment

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SERVICES FOR STUDENTS

• ACCESS
• Basic Needs Center/ Raider Central
• CalWorks & EOPS
• Career & Transfer Center
• Counseling
• DREAMers
• Financial Aid
• First Year Experience
• International Students
• Library
• Student Health Center
• Teaching and Learning Center (Tutoring)
• Veterans Resource Center

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It’s Your Journey, �You Are The Leader!

• Self Advocate: Speak up for yourself and communicate what you need to others.

Example: Let us know if an accommodation isn’t working or if you’re having trouble in your classes.

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• Check in with a counselor: DSPS counselors can help you navigate the college process. They can help answer class, major, career, degree, and transfer questions.

• Use College Services: There are many services available for students.

Examples: Library, tutoring services, First Year Experience for first year college students, Financial Aid, etc.

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• Ask Questions: If you don’t understand something, ask questions. Especially during or after class.

Examples: Attend professor office hours, send an email, or you can ask us questions too. We’re happy to help!

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Thank you for Joining Us Today!

Any Questions? We are happy to answer any questions you may have. ☺

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Additional Questions? Contact us at 805-378-1461 or mcaccess@vcccd.edu

Or you can also email Shyan, our ACCESS Coordinator at sdiazbrown@vcccd.edu.

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