Student Accessibility Services
Mission statement
The Mission of the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Program is to provide specialized support services and instruction that allow students with educational or functional limitations to equitably benefit from the College experience and meet their academic goals at San José City College (SJCC).
Ready to Get Started?
Complete the following steps for eligibility
- Submit the SAS application for services
- Submit verification of disability by providing one of the following:
SAS Medical Verification Form or
IEP, IPP, 504 Plan or
Learning Disability Assessment or
Verification of disability from another college or university
Contact the SAS
- Phone: 408.288.3746
- Video Phone: 408.831.3131
- Email: SJCC.SAS@sjcc.edu
- Address and Location:
San Jose City College
2100 Moorpark Ave.
San Jose, CA 95128
Student Center, SC 106
- Hours:
Monday – Thursdays: 8:30am to 5:30pm
Fridays: 8:30am to 1pm
Apply for Student Accessibility Services Now
Contact us
- Director
- Edina Rutland, Ph.D.
- edina.rutland@sjcc.edu
- APE Instructor
- Tait Rafat
- tait.rafat@sjcc.edu
- Counselor
- Mary Denham
- mary.denham@sjcc.edu
- Adjunct Instructor
- Adela Gutierrez
- adela.gutierrez@sjcc.edu
- Counselor/LD Specialist
- Theresa Martin, Ed.D.
- theresa.martin@sjcc.edu
- Program Assistant
- Martha Cazares
- martha.cazares@sjcc.edu
- Adjunct Counselor
- Thao “Ivy” Tran
- thao.tran@sjcc.edu
- Deaf Services Coordinator
- Melissa Salera
- SJCCDeafServices@sjcc.edu
Academic Support Services Available
Counseling appointments are offered either in person or via Zoom. Whether you need help with planning your classes, transferring to a university, or a disability related issue, call or email to make an appointment with an SAS counselor.
- Educational Plans to help reach your academic goal
- Career Programs
- AA/AS Degrees and Transfer Requirements for University of California (UC) and California State Universities (CSU) and Private Universities
- Crisis Intervention
- Liaison with California Department of Rehabilitation
- Liaison with various community programs
- Individual counseling to facilitate career decision making
- Admission Agreements
If you think you may have a learning disability, make an appointment with a SAS counselor
to see if a Learning Disability (LD) assessment is recommended.
SAS Counselors and the Learning Disabilities Specialist can recommend special courses which will help you with learning strategies, reading, math, and writing. They can also recommend accommodations that will support your academic success.
Note Taking Services are provided for online and in-person classes. Students need to be approved by their SAS counselor to receive these services.
Requests for note taking can be submitted using the note taking form.
Any questions, send an email to: SJCC.SAS.Notetaking@sjcc.edu.
Test Taking Accommodations are provided for online and in-person classes. Students need to be approved by their SAS counselor to receive these accommodations.
Requests for test taking accommodation can be submitted using the test proctoring form.
Any questions, send an email to: SJCC.SASTests@sjcc.edu.
SAS offers tutoring in Math and English only, both in person and via Zoom. If you need tutoring in another subject area, please use the Tutoring Center or METAS tutoring services. NetTutor is also available in most subjects.
If you are interested, please submit one request for each subject (English/Math). Specialized Tutoring Request
Any questions, send an email to: SJCC.SAS.Tutoring@sjcc.edu.
Alternate Media: Qualified students receive access to course materials in an alternate format including E-text and Braille.
Assistive Technology: Qualified students receive specialized access to screen, adapted keyboard, or other devices.
Trainings are offered to students approved for alternate media and assistive technology on how to use specific technology, software and devices.
Any questions, send an email to SJCC.SAS.AltMedia@sjcc.edu.
The SAS computer lab (HTCU) is located Learning Resource Center, L-119. Computers in the lab are equipped with specialized software and adaptive technology. In addition to scheduled classes, the lab has open hours, posted on the door for the ongoing semester.
During open lab hours, SAS students can use not only the lab, but the fully-equipped
study rooms and a printer at no cost as well.
SAS provides assistance to Deaf and Hard of Hearing students enrolled in classes at San Jose City College. The Deaf Services Coordinator evaluates students' needs and assigns sign language interpreters or real-time captioner that match the student's skills level. In addition, one-on-one tutoring with a person who is fluent in sign language is also available for qualified DHH students.
A videophone is available in the Student Center for students needing to make a call using sign language.
Any questions, send an email to SJCCDeafServices@sjcc.edu.
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Equipment Loan: SAS loans digital recorders, tablets and certain specialized equipment to qualified students.
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Adaptive Furniture for classroom use may be requested at the SAS office.
SAS offers small-group educational assistance classes:
- For credit classes that support SAS students on their path to degree applicable and transfer-level English and Math classes.
- Non-credit basic English, Math, Computer Skills and Adapted Physical Education (APE)classes.
Students who wish to take APE classes will need to have an Adapted Physical Education Medical Referral form certified by a Health Care Professional prior to starting the class.
Students receiving SAS services are expected to:
- Provide the SAS office with the information, documentation, and/or forms (medical, educational, etc.) deemed necessary by SAS to verify my limitation(s).
- Meet with a SAS counselor to develop an Academic Accommodation Plan.
- Utilize SAS services responsibly.
- Understand and follow written service provision policies and procedures.
- Comply with the SJCC Student Code of Conduct.
In accordance with Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, as revised (29 U.S.C.
794), The American Disabilities Act 28 CFR 35.102-35.104, CA Assembly Bill 803 Government
Code Section 11135 et, seq., and Title V, section 56008 of CA Education Code a student
with disabilities has the right to:
*Voluntary participation in the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Program and Services.
*Confidentiality and disclosure of student records.
*Access to college classes, programs, activities, services, and facilities to facilitate learning. The college will make every reasonable effort to provide access.
*Access in the student's preferred mode, i.e. Braille, verbal transcription, sign language, etc. Deaf students have the right to an interpreter with whom they have clear communication.
*Integrated setting with other students who are not disabled. A student can request an appropriate accommodation to facilitate participation in class and campus activities.
*Protection against discrimination based on association with a person with a disability. As a friend or companion of a student with a disability, a student should not be treated differently from other students who are non-disabled.
*Safety requirements based on actual risks, not speculation or stereotype.
*Participate in campus activities, class demonstrations, or laboratory experiments to the extent that a disability does not pose a risk to the student or other students.
*Request academic adjustments to facilitate student participation in classwork and campus activities.
*Modification in policies unless the modification fundamentally alters the nature of the services or activities.
*Request changes in class or campus policies to facilitate the student participation in class and campus activities. The request will be evaluated regarding how the modification might affect course standards.
*Participate in class and campus activities without being harassed or discriminated against. If a student feels they are the target of discriminatory treatment, the student can file a complaint with the 504/Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator or Office of Civil Rights.
San José Evergreen Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of
race, religion, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual
orientation, organizational affiliation, political beliefs, or status as a Vietnam-era
Veteran. The lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admissions to
or participation in vocational education programs.
SJECCD is subject to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the
Civil Rights Acts of 1964 as amended, Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
AB 422 states:“A publisher or manufacturer of instructional materials offered for adoption or sale in California is required to comply with specified requirements, including providing to the state, at no cost, the right to transcribe, reproduce, and distribute the material in Braille, large print, recordings, or other accessible media for use by pupils with visual disabilities. This right includes computer diskette versions of instructional materials if made available to any other state, and those corrections and revisions, as may be necessary."
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): IDEA requires public primary and
secondary schools to make available to all eligible children with disabilities a free
appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their
individual needs. IDEA requires public school systems to develop appropriate Individualized
Education Programs (IEP's) for each child. The specific special education and related
services outlined in each IEP reflect the individualized needs of each student. IDEA
also mandates that particular procedures be followed in the development of the IEP.
Each student's IEP must be developed by a team of knowledgeable persons and must be
at least reviewed annually. The team includes the child's teacher; the parents, subject
to certain limited exceptions; the child, if determined appropriate; an agency representative
who is qualified to provide or supervise the provision of special education; and other
individuals at the parents' or agency's discretion. If parents disagree with the proposed
IEP, they can request a due process hearing and a review from the State educational
agency if applicable in that state. They also can appeal the State agency's decision
to State or Federal courts
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act: Section 504 prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities in primary,
secondary and post secondary schools receiving federal financial assistance.
Section 508 - Web Page Accessibility: Accessibility regarding Web design refers to facilitating the use of technology for
people with disabilities. Providing equivalent access to Web sites for all students,
faculty, and staff at San Jose City College is required by SB302. This Senate Bill
extends the requirements of Section 508 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act to the California
State University.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA): ADA is a law that was passed to ensure equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities.
It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in four areas:
Employment
State and local activities (including public transportation)
Public accommodations
Telecommunications
ADA rights include both individuals who have a disability and those who have a relationship
or association with someone who has a disability. (The ADA defines a disability as
“a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life
activities, or a history or record of such impairment, or a perception by others of
having such impairment.”)
ADA Title I—Employment: The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment. To be protected
by the ADA, a person must have a disability or have a relationship or association
with an individual with a disability.
An individual with a disability is defined by the ADA as a person with a physical
or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities,
a person who has a history or record of such impairment, or a person who is perceived
by others as having such impairment.
Title I requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide qualified individuals
with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from the full range of employment-related
opportunities available to others. For example, it prohibits discrimination in recruitment,
hiring, promotions, training, pay, social activities, and other privileges of employment.
It restricts questions that can be asked about an applicant's disability before a
job offer is made, and it requires that employers make reasonable accommodation to
the known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities,
unless it results in undue hardship.
Title I complaints must be filed with the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(EEOC) within 180 days of the date of discrimination, or 300 days if the charge is
filed with a designated State or local fair employment practice agency. Individuals
may file a lawsuit in Federal court only after they receive a "right-to-sue" letter
from the EEOC. Charges of employment discrimination on the basis of disability may
be filed at any U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission field office. Field offices
are located in 50 cities throughout the U.S. and are listed in most telephone directories
under "U.S. Government."
ADA Title II: Prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities in all educational institutions
which receive funding from a state or local governmental entity.
ADA Title III: Prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities in private schools.


