DSPS Offers Personal Development Special Services (PDSS) Classes

The following courses are offered by Disabled Students Services and Programs faculty.  Please check your course catalog and/or schedule for availability, times and locations.

PDSS 081 Self Advocacy/Empowerment for Students With Disabilities

Instructor: Staff
Units: 1.0 Pass/No Pass, non-degree applicable
See class schedule for class times and location
Check bookstore for current book selection

Course Description

A course designed for students who want to learn more about self advocacy. Involves prescriptive instruction emphasizing personal empowerment, support systems, understanding your strengths, legal and ethical issues including awareness of disabilities. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 units. Pass/No Pass. Non-degree applicable.

PDSS 085 Adapted Computer Basics

Instructor: Brian Josephson
Units: 1.0 Pass/No Pass only, non-degree applicable
See class schedule for class times and location
Check bookstore for current book selection

Course Description:

Individualized course of study for students with verifiable disabilities. The course is designed to acquaint the student with basic assistive technology and techniques that may improve his or her ability to succeed in mainstream college-level courses and vocational programs.

PDSS 087 Adapted Computer Studies

Instructor: Beth Viersen
Units: 1.0 Pass/No Pass only, non-degree applicable
See class schedule for class times and location
Check bookstore for current book selection

Course Description:

An Individualized course of study for students with specialized learning needs. The course provides the student with in-depth, individualized instruction in assistive technology and techniques that are intended to maximize independent use of assistive and mainstream computer hardware and software to improve the student’s ability to succeed in mainstream college-level courses and vocational programs.

PDSS 090 Learning Strategies Practicum

Instructor: Mary Asher-Fitzpatrick
Units: 1.0 Pass/No Pass only, non-degree applicable
See class schedule for class times and location
Check bookstore for current book selection

Course Description:

Designed for students with specialized learning needs. Involves development and implementation of specific learning strategies in a developmental learning environment to assist students’ academic performance.

PDSS 096 Cognitive Communication Skills and Strategies

Instructor: Margaret Jones
Units: 1.0 Pass/No Pass only, non-degree applicable
See class schedule for class times and location
Check bookstore for current book selection

Course Description:

Students with cognitive communication deficits will receive specialized instruction in attention/concentration, thought organization, memory strategies, social pragmatics skills, organization and time management skills and maximizing related communication skills. This course emphasizes the development of skills and functional compensatory strategies to enhance disabled students’ opportunities for academic success.