Educational Assistance Center (EAC)

Eligible students will know the accommodations available to them, and know how to advocate for the counseling services, tutors, adaptive technology, and alternative media services and counseling services they require.

The Educational Assistance Center (EAC) is committed to providing students with disabilities the opportunity to effectively matriculate into the mainstream of college and community life by providing services that facilitate equal access to education, self-advocacy, academic self-efficacy, and personal growth opportunities in order to maximize individual student success. While remaining grounded in developing student independence in the post-secondary learning environment. The EAC department recognizes the community cultural wealth and support systems that students bring to our campus.

The Educational Assistance Center values diversity and promotes awareness and retention by providing quality services and courses for students with disabilities. It is a resource for students and the campus community, providing guidance relating to compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments. Consultation and support to the campus is also provided in 508 compliance, distance education, Universal Design, and campus accessibility.

The Educational Assistant Center (EAC) offers eligible students with disabilities access to a variety of specialized support services and assistive computer and software equipment in a timely manner. These services are intended to assist college students with disabilities to more successfully participate in regular college programs and activities. The EAC works to meet both federal and state accessibility requirements required by law related to students with disabilities. Disabilities include impairments in mobility, vision, hearing, and speech; and less obvious problems such as learning disabilities, psychological disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and intellectual disabilities. There are also individuals who experience other functional limitations as a result of an acquired brain injuries or other health problems such as arthritis, diabetes, seizures, cardiac disorders to mention a few.

The EAC supports student success by offering the following services: early registration, tutoring referrals, note takers, audio books, interpreters for deaf students, mobility assistance, and adaptive equipment. The department goals are to empower students with disabilities to achieve independence and integration leading to maximum participation in the college and community. EAC serves as linkage between students with disabilities, college professor, administrators, and community agencies.

The EAC can be thought of as a partnership between you and the EAC staff. Our staff consists of a coordinator, counselors, teaching faculty, learning disability specialists, technology and media specialists, interpreters, and professional office staff.

Our coordinator and counselors have specific expertise in disabilities, including your educational limitations and disability accommodations. These accommodations are designed to give students an equal opportunity in the college setting (e.g., extended time for tests, a quiet testing environment, audio books, tutoring, and note takers).

The coordinator will verify a student’s disability, and the counselor will recommend appropriate accommodations. Counselors also help students identify their academic and career goals and develop necessary coping strategies. *For more information, please contact us at: (805) 678-5830.

*For students struggling in their academic pursuits, a Learning Disability Assessment may be beneficial. The EAC provides screening for students to determine if an assessment is appropriate, and if it is, a counselor will refer you to our LD Specialist. Students are then provided an assessment, and the results will be utilized to determine if accommodations are required. Examples of some common accommodations are:

• Extended testing time
• Notetaking assistance
• Audio books
• ASL Interpreter
• Access to utilize EAC Proctoring Room for exams

These accommodations are to aid the student in their academic pursuit, creating equal access to their education so they may matriculate more fully with their peers.