Policies and Procedures

The following links point to a collection of policies, procedures, and offices that support the needs of campus community members with disabilities. Some resources listed below are targeted specifically to the needs of Students, while others are geared to support faculty, staff, or campus guests and visitors.

The overarching University of California policy on non-discrimination is as follows:

The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy 1, disability, age, medical condition (cancer-related), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. The University also prohibits sexual harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities.

Close up of cars parked in a campus parking lot.

Parking Policies

Finding parking at UC Berkeley can be very challenging. Planning in advance is the key to getting a well-located spot that meets your needs - one designated for disabled parking (a blue spot) or the nearest available parking spot that is not restricted for use.

Two students laughing in a classroom. Behind them is a CART captioner smiling.

Classroom Access/Room Change Requests

To support all students in participating in their courses, the Disabled Students' Program provides: - Accessible furniture options, - Expertise in selecting courses to assure paths of travel between rooms meet student’s access needs, - Procedures forrequesting classroom changes and relocations,

An instructor handing a stack of proctoring envelopes to a staff member.

Procedures & Protocols for Provision of Academic Adjustments including Fundamental Alteration

This page, developed by the DSP Partners Group (staff, students, and faculty), summarizes key information and practices to support instructors and ensure disabled students can access academic programming on our campus. It also links to other materials that are useful for instructors. 

A staff member walking to the right of the mural painted at DSP. The mural reads "Cal DSP, Welcome" and has a painting of the Cesar Chavez Building in its background.

DSP Complaint Resolution Process

This link covers the processes for initiating informal and formal complaints used by students with disabilities to resolve complaints about these matters: Denial of academic accommodations, decisions regarding eligibility for academic accommodations, determinations of specific appropriate academic accommodations, provision of accommodations and auxiliary services, provision of communication services, and administrative decisions of the Disabled Students' Program (DSP).

A staff member sitting in front of a dual computer screen. They are converting alternative media files.

Alternative Media Guidelines

The Disabled Students’ Program (DSP) provides qualifying students with alternative media (Braille, e-text, audio, large print) upon request. Students may request conversion of required and recommended reading assignments, including course textbooks, course readers, handouts, and bCourse files. In addition, DSP students with alternate media accommodation can ask library staff to scan materials into an alternative format. For more information about how to request alternative media and when to expect your converted files, please read our alternative media guidelines.

A CART captioner captioning and looking at text on a computer screen.

Program Access for Non-Degree Activities

Disability Access & Compliance maintains centralized campus resources designed to cost-effectively provide (at no expense to eligible event sponsors) effective communications accommodations (such as sign language interpreters, real-time captioners, or alternative format print materials) needed by participants with disabilities in University sponsored events/activities. Providing these accommodations for University sponsored activities/events is intended to eliminate the disproportionate fiscal burden otherwise borne by those relatively few event sponsors whose attendees/participants include an individual who requires reasonable accommodation to participate fully.

Two students talking in front of Sather Gate. One of the students is a wheelchair user.

Quick Fix for Access Barriers

UC Berkeley is committed to providing a campus free of physical access barriers that prevent people with disabilities from equally participating in university activities, services, and programs. If you encounter a physical barrier in or around a campus facility, please click this link to report the access barrier. Campus Access Services will assess the barrier and, where appropriate, provide funding for the removal of that barrier.

An instructor handing a stack of proctoring envelopes to a staff member.

Disability Management for Faculty & Staff

Disability Management provides consultative services to faculty and staff with respect to disability issues impacting work. Disability Management facilitates return-to-work initiatives and reasonable accommodation for faculty and staff who have or who may develop health issues that interfere with the ability to work. They provide mandated disability consultation and services related to federal and state disability laws, University policies, and collective bargaining agreements. Disability Management also coordinates the University's Workers' Compensation program and provides training on a variety of disability management topics. Services are confidential.

An aerial view of the grand staircase and ramp, located between Upper Sproul and Lower Sproul.

Submit a Maintenance Request

If there are small access barriers (such as a door opener that does not respond when pressed or a bathroom stall with broken hardware) you can submit a request to Facilities Services to have it inspected by a member of the campus maintenance crew. Of course you may also submit maintenance requests as access Paris via the link on the front page of this website.

A CART captioner sitting in front of a captioning device. She is holding a pair of headphones to her ear, and is listening intently.

Web Accessibility

The Web Access portal, provided by campus IST - Architecture, Platforms, and Integration, serves as a rich resource for website and content owners, web developers, assistive technology users, and anyone else who wants to make sure that online information and tools are accessible to all members of the Berkeley community, regardless of disability.

Accessible Course Content

Resources to support compliance with The University of California Office of the President (UCOP) Electronic Technology Accessibility Policy. To provide a fair and open opportunity for our diverse students, it is important for content creators to understand the responsibilities for ensuring that the course content they provide (required readings, videos, etc.) to students does not pose barriers. An inclusive experience of equal access for all students, regardless of disability, creates a better experience while allowing students to excel academically. This website provides information, help and guidelines for making online course material accessible.

Derek Coates walking on a sunny day from the left of the frame

Animals as Accommodations

This page includes policies about service animals on campus and in university housing. A service animal is any dog (or minature horse) that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.