Cathy Bara be, Director Grants, Research and Planning
300 Cherry Lane, Coalinga, CA 93210, (559) 934-2147 /
cathybarabe@westhillscollege.com
DSPS Director, Joyce Smyer, (559) 924-3331
Description:
This practice is designed to assist students with disabilities by
providing specialized equipment and seating for them in traditional
classrooms. The Director of Disabled Students has made a concerted
effort over the last five years to ensure that each classroom and
computer lab offers a user-friendly learning station for the
disabled student. Each classroom has at least one desk that can
accommodate a wheel chair student and each college computer or
science lab has specialized furniture and computer equipment that
allows the student to participate in the learning environment. The
equipment includes furniture and computers that support learning,
vision, physical and speech disabilities. Each disabled student
meets with DSPS staff whom assist them in developing a course
schedule and provides the disabled student with information about
accessibility and equipment / software resources. The college works
with other agencies to promote the needs of students and maximize
cooperative ventures to create a cost effective program within the
community.