Disability Support Services (DSS)
For Students
Registering with DSS
Disability Support Services (DSS) provides accommodations to all Cal. Lutheran students with disabilities who choose to self-identify to DSS that they are a person with a disability, and who registers with DSS for services. This information is for students who have not previously registered with DSS for support.
Students with temporary impairments (e.g., broken arm) can contact the DSS Coordinator with any questions or concerns. Depending on the nature of the impairment, the student may be able to receive some form of assistance.
In order for a student to formally request accommodations at Cal. Lutheran, he or she needs to register with DSS. This involves three steps:
Step 1: meeting with the DSS coordinator to discuss specific needs,
Step 2: providing disability information,
Step 3: filling out the DSS registration paperwork.
As each person's situation is unique, DSS simply asks that any interested student meet with us. Disability information requirements vary by situation. The DSS coordinator will talk to the student about needed disability information during the initial conversation. No student should delay meeting with DSS out of concern for not having appropriate paperwork.
Please contact our office if you need to set up a meeting or if you have any questions. All general questions can be emailed to: DSS@callutheran.edu or call (805) 493-3464. We look forward to meeting you soon!
STEP 1: Meeting With DSS
It is your responsibility as the student to schedule a meeting with the DSS coordinator, during which you will discuss your specific needs and questions. We will also go over the DSS paperwork together. If you would like to just discuss your situation and general DSS information without registering for services, please do not hesitate to do this as there is no obligation.
For students who are not local or are unable to come in-person to the Thousand Oaks campus for a meeting, we can schedule a phone or other type of meeting; you would need to indicate this when you contact our office. If you need any special arrangements regarding your meeting, please let us know this ahead of time.
STEP 2: Filling Out Required DSS Paperwork
Students need to read over and fill out the DSS Student Registration Packet as part of registering for the services. The DSS Student Registration Packet explains the various guidelines, policies and responsibilities you will need to know in order to participate with DSS. This packet will allow you to learn about some of the most commonly used academic accommodations. It also allows you to describe how your disability has impacted you in the academic setting.
This registration packet can be found under the DSS FORMS tab (on the left) or by clicking here.
For non-classroom accommodations, speak to the DSS coordinator about processes for submitting those requests.
The DSS coordinator will go over all the paperwork and any questions you might have during your scheduled meeting.
STEP 3: Submitting Disability Information
Disability information is a necessary piece of registering with DSS; however, you should schedule a meeting with DSS to discuss your situation even if you do not have a doctor’s report or professional assessment. No student should delay meeting with DSS out of concern for not having appropriate paperwork. We can discuss your situation and what may be needed when we meet.
Refer to the Appropriate Disability Information Hand-out under the DSS forms for more details on what is expected for proper disability information.
Information can be faxed to Wendy Jimenez at 805-493-3472, scanned/emailed to wjimene@callutheran.edu or delivered to the Center for Student Success. The mailing address is—
California Lutheran University
C/O Wendy Jimenez
60 W. Olsen Rd. #5300
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Requesting Accommodations- Returning DSS Students
Returning DSS students are those who have previously registered for DSS support. If you are a returning student, but you have not activated your DSS services for over at least one semester/term, you must contact DSS to schedule a meeting with the Coordinator and fill out the DSS Registration Packet. The DSS Registration Packet can be found under the DSS FORMS tab on our website.
The choice and initiative to request reasonable accommodations and aids as a person with disabilities belongs to you as the student. Requesting aids and services is your responsibility each new semester or term in which you need accommodations as most do not get set up automatically.
It is strongly recommended that you activate your DSS services and request necessary accommodations, prior to the start of each new semester/term.
Some accommodations may take more time to arrange, so you need to discuss specific needs with the DSS coordinator well in advance of when the aids or services may be needed. Examples of such accommodations include: housing accommodations, books in alternative formats, or classroom re-location. Accommodations are not retro-active.
You are responsible for activating your DSS services each new term/semester. This process typically involves:
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Emailing your individual professors with your Letter of Accommodations (LOA) and a Note to the Faculty with a CC’d copy to DSS as a record of activation. DSS email is: DSS@callutheran.edu.
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Contacting DSS if you cannot find your LOA and the DSS Note to Faculty, which were emailed to you previously.
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Following up with each professor you emailed to ensure they received your LOA activation message, and to discuss needs you may have in class. DSS will respond within a few days to confirm activation upon receiving your CC’d email(s).
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Requesting and using your approved accommodations is also part of your responsibility. Accommodation Request Forms can be found on our website under the DSS FOMS tab for students approved for:
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Testing Accommodations
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Note Taking Services
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Books in Alternative Format
Submitting further disability information is typically not required once you are registered with DSS. It is, however, your responsibility to provide an update to the office if there is any substantial change to be made to the initial disability information provided.
You are responsible to maintain a close relationship with DSS staff so that your requests can be met in a timely and reasonable way. You are also responsible to keep DSS aware of any academic problems or obstacle you may be encountering. Communicating with DSS is crucial as we are unable to assist unless we are made aware of challenges. Please contact DSS to schedule a meeting if you need to discuss any changes or concerns.
For students who are not local or are unable to come in-person to the Thousand Oaks campus for a meeting, you would need to indicate this when you contact our office. If you need any special arrangements regarding your meeting, please let us know this ahead of time.
Temporary Disability Services
Cal. Lutheran students with temporary disabilities or impairments (e.g., broken arm) can contact the DSS Coordinator with any questions or concerns. Depending on the nature of the impairment, the student may be able to receive some form of assistance. For details on registering for services, please see the REGISTERING WITH DSS section (above).
Disability Support Services (DSS) provides accommodations to qualified Cal. Lutheran students with permanent or temporary disabilities who choose to self-identify to DSS that they are a person with a disability, and who registers with DSS for services.
Please contact our office if you need to set up a meeting or if you have any questions. All general questions can be emailed to DSS@callutheran.edu or call (805) 493-3464.