SPECIAL POINTS

OF INTEREST:

Priority

Registration

Spring 2017

Welcoming

New Staff

Important Dates

in History

Dyslexia Research

DSPS Testing

Accommodations

& Homework

Assistance

Staff Directory

DISABILITY

SERVICES

STUDENT SERVICES

BUILDING, ROOM 112

(209) 575-6225

Monday - Friday *

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

*Open Tuesday evenings

until 7:00 pm. Please check

in at the Pathway Center,

located in SSB, 128. Inform

staff that you have an

appointment with DSPS.

A DSPS counselor will

come get you from there.

The doors to the building

close at 5:00 pm.

MODESTO JUNIOR COLLEGE

SPRING 2017

P A G E 2

Leticia was born and raised in the Napa Valley to parents who worked on the grape

vines of several Napa wineries. She moved to the Central Valley during high

school and has worked in education for the past ten years at various levels serving

at-risk students. Leticia began her employment at MJC in 2007, working for TRIO

Pre-College Programs. She joined the DSPS staff in November of 2016. Leticia

states, “TRIO Pre-College changed my life. I was a student participant in their

Upward Bound program during high school and was honored to later work with

these same Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search programs.” She further

stated, “The students that participate in the TRIO pre-college program, such as

myself, share the identity of our wider MJC student body. They're from low-income

families, communities, and are considered first generation students. They are

humble and easily intimidated by the college process. I will always treasure my time

working with TRIO students and I look forward to assisting DSPS students as they

navigate their pathways to success. While attending Modesto Junior College, I was

also a part of the EOPS Program. As a result of being in the program, I realized the

kindness of the staff, which really helped and encouraged me to continue my

education at California State University Stanislaus. I am very excited to be joining

the DSPS family and the dedicated DSPS staff who serve our MJC students.

LETICIA CASTILLO

LUIS AISPURO

Luis began his association with MJC as a student in 2014. He became a

student worker, serving in the Veteran’s Office under Carol McKenzie’s tute-

lage. After two years, he transferred to DSPS as a contract worker.

Luis has served in the Army National Guard for the past 4 years, working as

a wheeled vehicle mechanic. Luis is single, with no children. He enjoys

working out at the gym. His favorite sport is UFC.

Luis has a strong motivation and passion for helping others. He said, “I love

working with all DSPS students. It feels great to be able to help out and

make a difference, even if it’s just the slightest bit in someone’s life.”

Edward Verne Roberts (Seated) January 23, 1939 – March 14, 1995

President George H. W. Bush signing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law.

P A G E 3

January 23rd - Ed Robert’s Day - Edward Verne Roberts was a pioneering

civil rights activist who was the first student with severe disabilities to attend the

University of California, Berkeley. Upon learning that Roberts had a severe

disability, one of the UC Berkeley deans famously commented, "We've tried

cripples before and it didn't work." Building on his experience in establishing

access and supports as a student, Edward went on to become the father of the

Independent Living movement.

January 26, 1990 - Passed by Congress in 1990, the Americans

with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the nation's first comprehensive civil

rights law addressing the needs of people with disabilities,

prohibiting discrimination in employment, public services, public

accommodations and telecommunications. To be protected by

the ADA, one must have a disability, which is defined by the ADA

as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or

more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of

such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as

having such an impairment.

P A G E 4

When you hear the word “dyslexia,” chances are you think “learning disability.” Most people don’t realize that dyslexia is associated with a special set of perceptual skills – some of which offer distinct advantages. A recent article in the New York Times aims to promote greater awareness of the upside of Dyslexia.

Dyslexia is still a very poorly understood disorder, but recent research at MIT shows that typical readers are better at focusing on words in the center of their field of vision. Readers with dyslexia, however, have stronger and more accurate peripheral vision. The study, spearheaded by Gadi Geiger and Jerome Lettvin, used a mechanical shutter to flash a row of letters before test subjects, with the letters extending from the center of the subject’s field of vision outward. While typical readers were able to identify the letters in the center, those with dyslexia were able to identify the letters at the very edges of the row.

What’s interesting about this study and related research is that these skills seem to be either/or. A person is only good at focusing on one or the other. Being able to focus on the details in the center of a page is an asset in learning to read, but it also means that most people are fairly weak at recognizing broader features and patterns outside of that small area of focus. This fits well with what some dyslexia advocates have been saying for years – that dyslexics are intuitive, big picture thinkers who are more aware of their surroundings. Not only is their peripheral vision stronger, it seems that their ability to view an entire scene as a whole, rather than focusing on the details, can help them spot errors faster.

In a University of Wisconsin study, people with dyslexia identified “impossible pictures” faster – they were able to spot the unrealistic elements in drawings in the style of M.C. Escher, which rely on optical illusions to create physically impossible scenes. It even turns out that students with dyslexia have shown a superior ability to understand and process visual information in certain contexts. In one study, dyslexic students were able to see the images in photographs which had been heavily blurred, while non-dyslexic students could not. In some situations, it turns out, dyslexic learners actually have the advantage. This research represents some substantial steps in the right direction. Better understanding what dyslexia is, and how it works, is crucial to helping struggling readers learn how to overcome their academic handicaps and make the best use of their unique talents.

By: Julie M. Rodriguez - February 10, 2012 http://www.care2.com/causes/research-into-dyslexia-reveals-special-gifts-and-talents.html

Due to limited appointment times and the

need to fully utilize the time allotted, the

DSPS office requests that you do not

bring children to your counseling session.

Reminder: Do NOT be late to your

counseling appointment. You will not be

seen. Please call (209) 575-6225 to

reschedule.

P A G E 5

Testing accommodations is an authorized educational

accommodation that must be approved by your DSPS

Counselor. If you are eligible, here are some procedures

to follow:

Be sure to share your Notification of Authorized

Services (NAS) with your instructor during the first

week or two of the semester. This will let the instructor

know that you are a part of the program and are

eligible to receive testing accommodations. For

confidentiality reasons, you may want to discuss

your accommodations with the instructor after

class or during his/her office hours.

Be aware of your test dates. You must request testing

accommodations four (4) days PRIOR to the exam.

Exam dates are often found on your class syllabus, or

the instructor may announce it in class. You can make

the request by completing a yellow Test Accommodation

Request card that is located at each of the DSPS Testing

Centers where your class is held.

East Campus: Journalism Building, Room 160

(209) 575-6226 or (209) 575-6645

Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tuesdays 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

West Campus: Yosemite Hall, Room 205

(209) 575-7733 or (209) 575-7734

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30* pm

*Unless otherwise noted

Plan to take your exam on the same day and time as the

rest of your class unless you receive prior approval from

your instructor.

On the day of your exam, arrive on time to the designated

Testing Center. Be prepared. Know ahead of time what

you’ll need for your test as we do not supply Scantrons,

bluebooks, graph paper, etc.

Need a quiet place to study? Need someone to help explain your homework? Student workers are available to provide assistance with homework assignments.

The DSPS Resource Lab is located next door to the DSPS Testing Center

on the East Campus in the Journalism Building, Room 155. Stop by anytime Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Take advantage of the resources we offer and use them to help you reach your full potential!

Francisco Bañuelos

Dean of Special Programs

SSB, Room 105 - 575-6856

Claudia Puebla

Counselor Coordinator

SSB, Room 112 - 575-6225

Claudia Mery

Alternate Media Specialist

SSB, Room 119 - 575-6862

Judy Drummond

Administrative Secretary

SSB, Room 105 - 575-6856

Elizabeth Hondoy

Counselor/Deaf & Hard of Hearing Spe-

cialist

SSB, Room 112 - 575-6629

Leticia Castillo

Program Specialist

Journalism, Room 160 - 575-6226

East Campus Testing

Oralia Parker

Administrative Technician

SSB, Room 112 - 575-6226

Ben Riley

Counselor

SSB, Room 112 - 575-6225

Maria Nevarez

Program Assistant

Journalism Room 160 - 575-6645

East Campus Testing

Monica Walle

Program Assistant

SSB, Room 112 - 575-6692

Maisha Haywood-Smith

Adjunct Counselor

SSB, Room 112 - 575-6225

Aurora Sanchez

Program Technician

Yosemite Hall, Room 205 - 575-7734

West Campus Testing/Alternate Media

Noel Moreno

Program Assistant

SSB, Room 112 - 575-6225

Michael Jackson

Adjunct Counselor

SSB, Room 112 - 575-6225

Kim Jordan

Program Technician

Yosemite Hall, Room 205 - 575-7733

West Campus Testing

Luis Aispuro

Peer Mentor

SSB, Room 112 - 575-6225

Namiko Monk

ASL Interpreter

monkn@mjc.edu

P A G E 6