Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)
Los Angeles Valley College's Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office is here to help! We are currently open for in-person and remote services.
SSD Forms
SSD OFFICE UPDATES
Need Counseling?
SSD counselors will help students in-person, via phone or in the Cranium Cafe Lobby. Just contact our office to schedule an appointment.
Click here to be taken to the SSD Virtual Lobby for assistance
ATTENTION:
SSD OFFICE CLOSURES FOR WINTER BREAK 2024 - 2025
Please be advised that the SSD office will be closed from:
Monday, December 23. 2024 through Tuesday, January 1, 2025.
We will reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.
Click here to be taken to the SSD Virtual Lobby for assistance
SSD can assist you in these ways:
- Visit us on campus during business hours.
- Use Live Chat or Video Chat by clicking on SSD Live Chat. Live Chat is compatible with the latest versions of Google Chrome or Firefox browsers on a laptop, desktop, or phone (see details below for technical requirements*).
- E-Mail us at @email
- Call (818) 947-2681 and leave a voicemail; we will return your call during business hours.
*Technical Requirements for Live Chat via Cranium Cafe
For desktop PC and Mac:
- Use the latest Chrome or Firefox internet browser
- Have webcam ready and activated (for online student support)
For Android and iPhones:
- Use Chrome or iOS
- Have your webcam ready and activated
- Have a headset with microphone ready - your cell phone headset will work great
ABOUT SSD
The SSD program provides support services, specialized instruction, and educational accommodations to students with disabilities so that they can participate as fully and benefit as equitably from the college experience as their non-disabled peers. A Student Educational Contract (SEC) is developed for each student which links that student’s goals, curriculum program, and academic accommodations to his/her specific disability-related educational limitation.
SSD supports the participation of students with disabilities in educational activities consistent with the mission of the California Community Colleges, federal and state law, and LACCD policy (Administrative Regulation E-100).
SSD services, special instruction, and accommodations function to provide students with disabilities equal opportunities to successfully complete their educational goals. It is the mission of SSD to promote the maximum independence and integration of students with disabilities.
Students with verified disabilities:
Eligibility Criteria
In order to receive disability-related services at Los Angeles Valley College, a student must submit a Disability Verification Form, documenting a physical and/or psychological disability. The form must be completed and signed by a licensed/certified professional qualified to diagnose and treat the conditions. The form can be accessed through this link: disability-verification-packet-form.pdf (lavc.edu). Please complete the Student Information section of the form and have your medical professional complete the rest.
Students that had an IEP (Individualized Education Program) in high school, may provide a copy of their IEP as a verification of disability. Please note that students that had an IEP under OHI (Other Health Impairments) and ED (Emotional Disturbance) categories, must provide additional documentation verifying the diagnosis.
How to apply for SSD program?
- Apply to LAVC and obtain a 9-digit student ID number.
- Submit your verification of disability to SSD office via email, fax, mail, or in-person.
- Have an intake appointment with our disability specialist.
What happens next?
- After your intake appointment is conducted, schedule an appointment with an SSD counselor for a Student Educational Plan (SEP).
- Register for the classes that the counselor lists on your SEP.
- Schedule an appointment to request accommodations for your classes (This needs to be done every semester).
Call to make an appointment at: (818) 947-2681 or TTY for deaf or hard of hearing. (818) 947-2680.
SSD provides support services, instruction and accommodations to a diverse population of students with a wide variety of abilities and disabilities. Instruction, support services and accommodations for eligible, registered students with verified disability-based educational limitations may include:
Math Tutoring
SSD offers tutoring in Math and Statistics to students with disabilities during Fall and Spring semesters. Because space is limited, priority is given to students with a learning disability.
If you are interested in specialized tutoring in Math, please contact us for an appointment. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a math or statistics course at LAVC and be able to commit to attending 50-minute tutoring sessions twice a week.
Tutoring
Click below for tutoring information.
SSD offers tutoring in Math and Statistics to students with disabilities during Fall and Spring semesters. Because space is limited, priority is given to students with a learning disability.
If you are interested in specialized tutoring in Math, please contact us for an appointment. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a math or statistics course at LAVC and be able to commit to attending 50-minute tutoring sessions twice a week.
SSD HIGH TECH CENTER
The High Tech Center (HTC) uses assistive technology (both hardware and software) as a means for students with disabilities to access educational materials. It has 10 accessible workstations and an equipment loan program for certain types of technology. There are 9 PC stations and 1 MAC station for students to do research, homework and handle their campus-related business. One of the PC stations is equipped with an extra-large monitor and a large print keyboard.
All computer workstations have accessible software. Current accessible software includes Dragon, Jaws, Kurzweil and ZoomText.
ASL fluent deaf or hard of hearing students can use the Sorenson on-demand, Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) sign language interpreting station to communicate with our counselors and staff.
Visually impaired students may benefit from using the desktop magnifier. The magnifier allows students to adjust the magnification and contrast, and to change font size, font color and background color.
The HTC Hours
Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays from 8:00 am to 3:45 pm
Tuesdays from 8:00 am to 6:45 pm
Fridays from 8:00 am to 12:45 pm
For more information, please contact Instructional Assistant – Assistive Technology at 818-947-2692.
ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Students who may benefit from progressive physical conditioning exercise can enroll in adapted physical education classes to improve their fitness levels. Under the supervision of an adapted physical education instructor, the individual is encouraged to maximize their physical potential within the limitations of their disability.
An individualized physical education plan is developed through an interactive process that includes the student, instructor, and medical recommendations supplied by the student’s physician. Students are responsible for securing attendant services appropriate to their personal needs. For more information, call (818) 778-5638.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESS
LAVC is adjacent to major public transportation routes including bus lines 154, 158, 420 and the Orange Line. DASH stops at the front of campus on Fulton Avenue. LAMTA offers CITYRIDE and ACCESS throughout the city for seniors and persons with disabilities. Call (213) 626-4455. For detailed information go online to: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation authority
SOME ON-LINE RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
- Los Angeles Community College District
- Disability Central
- Job Accommodation Network
- US ACCESS Board
- Department on Disability
- Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended in 1998) Sections 504 and Section 508
- DO-IT: Disabilities, Opportunities, Inter-networking and Technology
- Art Realization Opportunities
- CSUN STRENGTHUNITED
- Careers & Degrees in Healthcare: A Guide for Students with Disabilities
- Disaster Resources for People with Disabilities
- Guide For People With Disabilities: Programs For Low-Cost Internet, Mobile Plans, and Digital Literacy
- Career Guide for People With Disabilities
- Resume Builder and Career Guide for People with Disabilities
If you’d like information on registering to vote, please use this online voter registration
SSD office is offering these links as helpful resources, but does not endorse any particular product or service.
SSD Forms
- Student Services Division Homepage
- SSD Faculty Handbook
- SSD Student Handbook
- Disability Verification Packet
- Exercise Guidelines Form for Adaptive PE
- Authorization for release of information form
- LAVC Services for Students with Disabilities Brochure
- LAVC-Learning-Disabilities-Assessment-Brochure
- LAVC Adapted Physical Education Center Brochure
- Student Complaint Form
COVID-19 Information:
For the latest COVID-19 information please visit the LAVC webpage: COVID-19 Updates