OSS Orientation
OSS requires new and returning (over one year) students to go through this quick, easy, yet informative orientation to the Office of Special Services.
Please be sure to go through the entire orientation and use the information to complete the quiz located inside your OSS New Student Application packet.
Mission:
The Office of Special Services’ (OSS) mission is to facilitate equal access for enrolled students with disabilities, allowing full participation in educational programs, services, and campus activities through appropriate and reasonable academic adjustments.
Types of Disabilities:
- Acquired Brain Injury (Stroke, TBI)
- Blind or Low Vision
- Deaf or Hard of Hearing
- Developmental Disability
- Learning Disability
- Mobility Disability
- Psychological Disability
- Speech-Language Disability
- Other Disabilities: Health, PTSD, ADD, etc.
Application Process:
New students requesting services are required to complete an OSS new student application and submit a “professional verification of disability” signed by an appropriate professional. As part of the application, students will complete the OSS Orientation Quiz.
Continuing students, if requesting support services, must update their OSS application each
semester in attendance.
Students often enroll with multiple colleges in the LACCD district. If you want accommodations for classes taken at a sister college, you must contact the college's student disability office to complete an intake.
**Students are responsible for requesting their accommodation letters at the beginning of every semester. As soon as you enroll in your classes, you can request your letters. To do so, you can email your counselor/specialist to have your letters generated. Or, you can make an appointment with your counselor/specialist.
Services Offered at OSS:
Alternative Testing Services:
The Accommodation Services Department provides proctoring and ensures the integrity of the testing center for OSS students. Testing accommodations may include:
- Extended time for exams
- Distraction-reduced exam space
- Computer assisted format
- Alternate text format
- Spell Checker
- Braille transcription
- Reader
- Scribe
- Other (to be determined based on student evaluation and educational limitations)
For specific information on exams or general questions, please contact Accommodations Services ext. 2277 or email @email
Learning Disabilities Services:
Learning Disabilities Services are designed to provide educational support for currently enrolled LACC students with verified learning disabilities. The goal of the program is to promote success in an environment that is encouraging, accepting, and nonjudgmental. Each student works with their Learning Disabilities Specialist to
determine the following:
- Eligibility for services
- Learning strengths, weaknesses and degree of impact the disability has on the learning process
- Appropriate accommodations/academic adjustments
- Recommendation and referral on and off campus
For specific questions or to schedule an appointment to see a Learning Disabilities Specialist, call (323) 953-4000 ext. 2270
Alternate Text Production Center:
The Alternate Text Production Center is located in the High Technology Center, in Room 111. OSS students are provided access to alternate-textbook formats when
authorized by their OSS counselor/specialist for their academic courses.
Sign Language Interpreting:
The Sign Language Interpreters’ Office is located in the Office of Special Services. OSS provides American Sign Language Interpreters for eligible students in academic classes who are Deaf or hard of hearing and enrolled in the Office of Special Services. To request American Sign Language Interpreting services, please make an appointment with the OSS Senior Sign Language Interpreter.
- Classroom instruction
- Tutoring
- Counseling appointments
Counseling Services:
OSS provides specialized academic and vocational counseling for OSS students with disabilities. Counseling services include:
- Development of the Academic Accommodation Plan
- Development of the Student Education Plan
- Determination of reasonable academic
- Accommodations or adjustments based on the student’s documented needs
- Referrals to and coordination with campus support services and community agencies
- Liaison with college faculty and staff
To make an appointment to see an OSS Counselor call (323) 953-4000 ext. 2270
OSS Tutoring Services:
The OSS Tutorial Center is located in Room 133. The goal of the Center is to encourage and assist each student to be an independent successful learner to the greatest possible extent. Peer tutors provide specialized tutoring to registered OSS students. Individualized tutoring sessions focus on developing learning strategies and study techniques based on the student’s learning styles and accommodations, including assistive technology.
For specific information about tutoring call (323) 953-4000 ext. 2273
Staff:
- Donna Morley - Learning Disability Specialist
- Robert Dominick - Professor of Counseling
- Houa Lee - Professor of Counseling
- Ryan Kushner - Assistive Technology Specialist
- Michele Mattier - Special Services Assistant-OSS Registration/Intake
- Alfredo Quispe - Senior Sign Language Interpreter
- Lisa Chen - Sign Language Interpreter Specialist II
- Mackenzie Conerly - Sign Language Interpreter Specialist II
- Marie Samson - Sign Language Interpreter Specialist I
- Romina Mena - Sign Language Interpreter Specialist II
- Kelvin Luong - Instructional Assistant, Assistive Technology
Special Notices
Orientation for new and ongoing students who are blind or have low vision:
For individual orientation, please contact Robert Dominick at (323) 953-4000 ext. 2271 to set up an appointment.
High Tech Center Hours:
Monday to Thursday we are open for drop-in from 9 AM to 4 PM or by appointment. Please email @email
Related Links
Here are links to some other offices with whom we work:
Academics
ADA Information
Admissions & Records
Assessment Testing
Associated Student Government (ASG)
Extended Opportunity Program & Services (EOPS)
Financial Aid