Other Programs Available at DSPS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Students who have a physical, emotional, or other disability which restricts them vocationally may be eligible for the services of the State Department of Rehabilitation. These services may include vocational counseling and guidance, training, and job placement.

Under certain circumstances, students may also qualify for help with medical needs and transportation.

Appointments may be made with a counselor by contacting the State Department of Rehabilitation, Hayward Office, 1316 W. Winton St. Hayward, California 94545 (510) 782-8105

Learning Skills Program:

Learning disability is defined as a persistent condition of presumed neurological dysfunction which may exist with other disabling conditions. This dysfunction continues despite instruction in standard classroom situations. Adults with learning disabilities are characterized as having:

Average to above average intellectual ability
Severe processing deficits
Severe aptitude achievement discrepancy(ies)
Measured achievement in an instructional or employment setting, and
Measured appropriate adaptive behavior in an instructional or employment setting

Upon referral, students will be enrolled in the English 116 Diagnostic course. An extensive evaluation will be made to determine areas of strengths and weaknesses that might account for severe leaning problems. After completion of diagnostic testing, an evaluation and recommendation will be made. Other courses offered in the Learning Skills Program (following completion of English 116) include:

English 117- Reading: 4 Units. (May be repeated one time)

Reading to develop decoding, vocabulary and comprehension skills. Use of specialized techniques developed especially for students with learning disabilities. Includes reading comprehension strategies and vocabulary development, and other compensatory strategies. Designed for students with learning disabilities. Recommendation of instructor advisable. Strongly recommended: English 116. 4 hours.

English 118A Reading, Writing: 3 Units (May be repeated one time)

Strategies to develop college writing skills with an emphasis on developing reading comprehension strategies, summarizing and writing responses to readings. Includes compensatory strategies. Designed for students with learning disabilities to improve reading and writing skills. Strongly recommended: English 116. 3 hours.

English 118B Reading, Writing: 3 Units (May be repeated one time)

Elements of the writing process including presenting, organizing, writing and revising, and review of basic grammar. Includes reading comprehension strategies and review of compensatory strategies. Designed for students with learning disabilities to improve reading and writing skills. Strongly recommended: English 118A. 3 hours.

English 119 Problem Solving: 3 Units (May be repeated one time)

Preparation for problem solving success in college for those with learning disabilities. Emphasis on quantitative reasoning abilities needed to process and integrate word problems and related problem solving tasks. Designed for students with identified learning disabilities. Strongly recommended: English 116. 3 hours.

English 120 Study Strategies: 2 Units (May be repeated one time)

Guided practice in specific compensatory and study strategies for those with learning disabilities. Designed for Learning Skills students actively enrolled in an academic course. Focus on utilizing skills and strategies in conjunction with academic course materials. Designed for students with identified learning disabilities. Strongly recommended: English 116. 2 hours lecture.

English 121 Quantitative Strategies Through Language Skills: 2 Units

Guided practice in specific compensatory and study strategies for students with learning disabilities in language based quantitative reasoning skills (dyscalculia). Focus on utilizing skills and strategies in conjunction with academic course materials. Development of math and language skills. Designed for Learning Skills students enrolled in math. Strongly recommended: English 116. 2 hours.