Maintained by drc@ucsc.edu

Current DRC Students

If you are a current DRC student who is already qualified with our office, you are in the right place! If you are a UCSC student, but have not yet submitted medical documentation or established contact with us, please go to Prospective DRC Students.

Knowing how to obtain services and follow DRC procedures is crucial. Check out the tips below and don’t hesitate to contact your Coordinator if you have any questions. Remember to communicate with us regularly. Most issues can be resolved by keeping in frequent contact.

Who is my Coordinator?

Just call the front desk and the receptionist will tell you the name of your Coordinator or arrange for you to be assigned to one. You can reach the front desk at 831-459-2089 (V) or 831-459-4806 (TTY).

You are required to meet with your Coordinator at least once a year and are encouraged to establish more frequent contact.

How do I request services for this quarter?

You can request services by filling out the Service Request Form (SRF). This can be completed online or in person at our office. When filling out the SRF remember:

Note: If you are requesting services online and do not receive an e-mail confirmation within 2 business days, we did not receive the transaction. Resubmit your SRF. If you have continued complications, contact our office.

How do I let my instructors know what I need?

Test Accommodation Facts

Notetaker Facts

How do I request housing accommodations?

Note: The DRC only makes housing recommendations; Your college will make the final decision regarding your specific room assignment. Likewise, we cannot guarantee housing during your duration at UCSC.

How do I request transportation accommodations?

The DRC can authorize parking and/or Disability Van Service accommodations for those who have a legitimate disability related need for that assistance.

The Disability Van Service is operated by Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) and can provide door to door service throughout campus free of charge with authorization from the DRC.

For those who have DMV handicapped placards or cannot use the Disability Van Service, parking authorizations can be obtained from the DRC. For more information on campus policy regarding disability parking, go to Disabled Parking.

If you use a wheelchair or have problems with stairs or hills, check out the ADA Compliance website to find out more about campus access, including the UCSC Wheelchair User’s Survival Guide. This guide shows the most accessible routes on campus.

Resources for Student Success

In addition to the services the DRC provides, there is a wealth of other resources available on campus and in the community. Here are tips and contacts that might provide additional support for you while you are at UCSC.

Scholarships and Internships

Is study abroad an option for me?

Don’t let a disability stop you from considering study abroad! Students with disabilities can and do study abroad, and are encouraged to explore their options with Education Abroad Program and the Disability Resource Center.

Although EAP cannot guarantee the accessibility of study sites, EAP can advise students if a given site appears to be inaccessible and recommend an alternate site. Students who anticipate special needs should contact their DRC Coordinator and the campus EAP office as soon as possible for assistance and advice about participation and preparation.

For preparation tips and stories of students with disabilities who successfully traveled abroad check out the following links:

Note: To determine if funding is available for accommodations abroad, students should begin by consulting with their campus EAP advisor, the Disability Resource Center, and the Financial Aid office well in advance of their departure. Students should be aware that federal law does not require the University to provide funding for disability accommodations and/or facilities beyond U.S. borders. Students should check carefully with their DRC Coordinator to determine what services might be covered.

How do I update my contact information?

At the beginning of each school year, students must come to the DRC office in person to fill out the Information Sheet. During the remainder of the year, this contact information can be updated online.

Note: It is very important to give us your UCSC e-mail address, and to check it regularly, or have it forwarded to an alternate e-mail address. The DRC, as well as faculty and department assistants, will be using your UCSC account to give you important information regarding your accommodations.

For additional questions about your UCSC e-mail account or forwarding e-mail, contact the ITS Help Desk at help@ucsc.edu or 831-459-4357.

How do I update my medical documentation?

Documentation must be from an appropriate medical provider, be current (usually no more than three years old, or 6-12 months old for psychological documentation), and must meet specific UC system-wide guidelines for documentation.

There are four types of guidelines for assessing disabilities. Be sure to review, below, the one(s) appropriate for you. If you have more than one disability please provide adequate documentation for each:

Send or bring documentation to:

Disability Resource Center
146 Hahn Student Services
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Fax: 831-459-5064

Note: You are strongly advised to give a copy of the guidelines to your treating clinician. Insufficient documentation that does not meet UC criteria may result in a delay of services. Disabilities have a wide range of severity and effect. The more specific information we receive, the better we can determine appropriate accommodations for you.

Documentation can be faxed, mailed or hand-delivered to our office. Be sure to call us at 831-459-2089 (V) or 831-459-4806 (TTY) to make an appointment with a Coordinator once you have your documentation. If you ask the doctor to send your documentation to us directly, be sure to follow up by calling us to make sure it has arrived, and to make an appointment.

What is the complaint/grievance process?

Informal Complaints

If you have any concerns or feel you have not received a reasonable, requested accommodation from any UCSC faculty or staff member, contact your DRC Service Coordinator as soon as possible. Timeliness is critical in resolving these concerns promptly and effectively. Your Service Coordinator will meet with you to gather information and work to resolve your concerns with everyone involved.

Academic Adjustments

In the case of academic adjustments, if a student has not been able to resolve an issue of academic accommodation with a faculty or staff member, the DRC will determine the accommodation that is appropriate in its view, based on the documentation provided by the student. The DRC will communicate its view of the appropriate accommodation to the faculty or staff member involved. If there are still problems in making the appropriate accommodation available to the student, the DRC will bring the issue to the attention of those with supervisory responsibility over the faculty or staff member involved, in an attempt to reach a resolution. This process shall proceed on an expedited basis, with the goal of reaching a resolution generally within 10 calendar days.

DRC Services

If you have a complaint regarding DRC services or an issue involving your DRC Service Coordinator, and you have addressed these concerns without acceptable resolution, you can meet with the DRC Director to facilitate a resolution. If the Director is your Service Coordinator, you can meet with the Director’s supervisor to resolve your complaint. In any case, you will receive a written response to your complaint within three working days.

Formal Complaints

If you continue to think that your complaint has not been adequately addressed, you will be given information about filing a formal complaint and referred to the Campus ADA Complaint Resolution Officer.

Director, Student Judicial Affairs
Hahn Student Services Building
(831) 459-4446