What graduate students need to know about the Disabled Students Program

The Disabled Students Program (DSP) is your resource for services related to academic accommodations due to a temporary or permanent disability. All contact with DSP is strictly confidential (there are no notations made on any official transcript during your career here about being a part of DSP) and they do not release information to anyone without your permission.

In order to register with ​DSP, you must provide medical documentation for your disability. After initial registration, you will be assigned a Specialist who will discuss the necessary steps and procedures for receiving an accommodation in your courses and/or your overall degree requirements.

DSP also helps graduate students with disability related issues that arise during the course of their career at UCSB. When difficulties arise (such as a change in the course of your condition, medication change or adjustment, the onset of an acute illness or increased symptoms of a chronic condition), DSP works in collaboration with the Graduate Division and other departments on campus (CAPS, SHS, etc.) to assist you in devising the best strategy for moving through the acute episode and continuing in your program, while maintaining your status as a graduate student in good academic standing.

While DSP maintains confidentiality, the issue of your department knowing about your disability is one that you must manage and consider throughout your time at UCSB. Some graduate students are uncomfortable with their faculty knowing about their conditions and are reluctant to disclose or request any accommodations. While non-disclosure of your disability is a strategy you may consider, remember that your undergraduate success may have come with appropriate and approved accommodations. Requesting accommodations is a right afforded to you under the Americans with Disabilities Act; with these rights comes responsibilities, including timely requests for accommodations.

DSP recommends that you register with ​the office, even if you aren't sure if you will use the accommodations initially. In the event that you need assistance, you can more easily facilitate an accommodation request if you are already registered with the program. It is much easier to request accommodations proactively, and then not activate them once you become accustomed to the pace and load of your graduate program. It is much more difficult to retroactively consider an accommodation as a factor when a situation arises that has not been previously disclosed.

DSP is here to help you; please utilize ​their services to help you achieve your goals as a graduate student at UCSB. For complete information about DSP and available services​, please click here.