The Kern Community College District (KCCD) has implemented a vaccine requirement across all three colleges. Students seeking an accommodation for the COVID-19 vaccination requirement should complete a Student Medical Exemption Request Form or a Student Religious Exemption Request Form. Vaccination exemption accommodations are not handled through the DSPS office and must be submitted and approved by the COVID 19 team. Students who will not be submitting either exemption request form and choose not to be vaccinated are able to register for online courses only. For additional information and resources, visit the Bakersfield College COVID-19 Information or Chancellor's Office Coronavirus Update webpages.

Disabled Student Programs & Services assists the college in providing equal access to educational opportunities for students with disabilities. Disabled Student Programs & Services provides reasonable accommodations to students with documented physical, mental health, and learning disabilities who are enrolled in classes through Bakersfield College. The department provides accommodations and support services which may include, liaison with California State Department of Rehabilitation and other community resources, test-taking assistance, special equipment, mobility assistance, note-taking, assistive computer technology, special classes, sign language interpreters, written materials in an alternate format, and learning disability assessment. These services are intended to prepare and support students to participate on an equal basis with their non-disabled peers. For college material in an alternate format, contact Disabled Student Programs & Services.

Bakersfield College will make reasonable accommodations and/or academic adjustments to ensure that students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in the college’s courses, programs, and activities, including extracurricular activities. Students with disabilities who are requesting academic accommodations or auxiliary aids should contact Disabled Student Programs & Services at (661) 395-4334. For DSPS services at the Delano Campus, please contact (661) 720-2000. Participation by students with disabilities in Disabled Student Programs & Services is voluntary. Any student choosing not to participate in the program may elect an alternate path for services through the Vice President, Student Affairs.

Qualification

To qualify for services a student must be enrolled at Bakersfield College, have a verifiable disability that results in an education limitation preventing you from fully benefiting from classes, activities, or services offered to non-disabled students, and need specialized services or instruction to mitigate these disability-related education limitations.

Were you diagnosed with COVID 19 and still suffering new or ongoing symptoms? Review Guidance on Long COVID as a Disability and contact our office with any questions.

Application for Services

Request a BC DSPS New Student Intake Packet by completing the DSPS Packet Request Form. NOTE: Your BC email address is required when requesting a packet. After submitting your form, check your email and click the blue link in the message received from DSPS. The packet will open as an Adobe Form, you can begin typing in your information. Do not print this form!

If you need further assistance completing your DSPS packet connect with DSPS staff via Zoom Virtual Lobby.