New & Returning Students

If you are new or returning after being absent for more than a year to Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at Merritt College, you begin by completing and submitting the application and documents listed below, and once those are submitted you will schedule an appointment to meet with a SAS Counselor.

Prior to Your First Appointment

Apply to Merritt College if you are not already a student at Merritt or another Peralta College (Berkeley City, College of Alameda, Laney).  Have your Student ID # available when filling out forms and scheduling appointments.
Complete the SAS Online Orientation.
Review the SAS Student Handbook.
Complete the SAS Application by clicking HERE using your Peralta email address (something like 12345678@cc.peralta.edu followed by your Student Portal Password). This will take you to the Peralta AIM system for all your SAS needs. Select Merritt College and any other campuses where you are enrolled. You will be required to log into your Campus Solutions account.
Submit documentation of your disability.

Click here for the application for Student Accessibility Services using Peralta AIM

During the second step of your application, you will be prompted to upload your verification of disability. Documentation verifying a disability may include, but is not limited to:

high school special education plans (IEPs);
medical records or reports.
psychological evaluations or assessments.
LD testing from another California community college.
Department of Rehabilitation Plan
If you do not have documentation, you can take our Verification of Disability form to a qualified professional who has working knowledge of your disability.
The qualified professional must complete, sign, and date the professional section of the form.
A qualified professional may include a physician, a psychologist, an LD Specialist, or other licensed professional.

 If you think you have a disability but do not currently have documentation, please discuss that with the counselor.

All disability-related information provided by students is kept strictly confidential. This information is accessible to SAS only.

You will have the opportunity to upload your documents directly into AIM (the application system) when you are applying; you may also log back into AIM to upload, or you may choose to email your documents to SAS.Alameda@peralta.edu.

Schedule Your Intake Appointment by calling (510) 436-2429 or emailing SAS.merritt@peralta.edu. We will return calls and emails in 24-48 hours on Monday-Fridays.

If possible, obtain transcripts from other colleges or high schools for education planning.

Continuing Students

(If you were registered with Merritt SAS or another Peralta campus SAS last semester)

All continuing students of SAS must request accommodations in advance of each semester and meet with their counselor at least twice each semester.
Schedule an appointment with a Merritt SAS Counselor by calling the SAS appointment desk at 510-436-2429 or by emailing SAS.merritt@peralta.edu.

We will return calls and emails in 24-48 hours on Monday-Fridays

Our mission is to:
• Empower students with disabilities for success.
• Provide services to minimize the limiting effects of a disability.
• Advocate for the needs and rights of students with disabilities.
• Create a “level playing field” in the classroom.

Our goals are to:
• Focus on the true ability of students.
• Determine and provide individualized accommodations.
• Foster equal treatment through all Merritt College Programs.
• Promote awareness of disability rights and the philosophy of equal access.

Alternative Media

SAS provides alternate media for class handouts, quizzes, tests, textbooks, and videotapes for students with verified disabilities including vision impairments, dyslexia, deafness, and some other disabilities.

Alternate media is defined as instructional materials, textbooks, college publications, and/or library materials in formats accessible and usable by individuals with print disabilities. Examples of accessible formats are audio text, large print, Braille, captioning, and e-text.

The Alternate Media Specialist works with faculty members to ensure students with disabilities receive their course materials in alternate media while their classmates receive traditional print handouts.

Students should complete the Alternate Media Agreement Form to request course books and/or materials in an alternate format (i.e. audio, large print, Braille, electronic text).

Learning Opportunity Program

Students who come to the Learning Opportunity Program (LOP) are just like you; they want to be successful but need to overcome some learning challenges.

The LOP is the students’ place to explore, learn, receive support, encouragement, and resources. We are here to support and assist students through encouragement, understanding, respect, and patience. We believe in giving students the opportunity to overcome their challenges, to build their self-esteem, and to help them to reach their educational or personal goals.

Merritt College’s Learning Opportunity Program can provide support services and academic accommodations to students who have documentation of a specific learning disability from another college or professional or provide assessment for eligibility for services and accommodations as an adult (17 or older) with specific learning disabilities.

The Learning Opportunity Program offers supportive services, including:
Individual instruction in basic skills and learning strategies
Liaison with faculty/community
Testing accommodations
Laptop use in the LOP classroom
Training in the use of adaptive technology.

SAS Learning Outcomes

Types of Disabilities

Merritt College Disability Definitions:

Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations defines the following disabilities for California Community Colleges.

1. Acquired Brain Impairment:
A verified deficit in brain functioning which results in a total or partial loss of cognitive, communicative, motor, psychosocial, and/or sensory perceptual abilities.

2. Communication Disability:
An impairment in the processes of speech, language, or hearing.

3. Developmentally Delayed Learner:
The developmentally delayed learner exhibits below average intellectual functioning and has potential for measurable achievement in instructional and employment settings.

4. Learning Disability:
A persistent condition of presumed neurological dysfunction which may exist with other disabling conditions and continues despite instruction in standard classroom situations. A student must exhibit:
• average to above average intellectual ability
• severe processing deficit(s)
• severe aptitude achievement discrepancy(cies)

5. Mobility Disability:
A visual impairment, mobility or orthopedic impairment, or other health impairment.

6. Psychological Disability (mental health):
A persistent, psychological or psychiatric disorder, or emotional or mental illness. The following are not included: sexual behavior disorders, compulsive behaviors, and psychoactive substance abuse.

7. Visual Disability:
A visual impairment.

8. Other Disabilities:
This category includes all students with disabilities who are not appropriate for any of the above categories and have a major life impairment and are in need of instruction and/or support, as verified by a Merritt College DSP Counselor.

Computer Access Center

The Computer Access Center at Merritt College is located in P-306

Computer Access Class Learning Resource (LRNRE) 211

Computer Access Lab Learning Resource (LRNRE) 272

We offer computer literacy classes and Canvas training.

We are open on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Please email Mitra Mofidi at mitramofidi@peralta.edu for any questions.

The Computer Access Center also offers:

Dragon Dictate
Kurzweil
ZoomText
Typing programs
Track mouse and ergonomic keyboards.

Local Resources

Here at the Disabilities Services Program at Merritt, we understand that we are only one part of our student's success. We have organized a non-exhaustive list of local and regional resources to better serve anyone seeking more support or engagement in the community. Additionally, we also maintain a list of national resources. Merritt Community College is a growing college community. Students with disabilities attending Merritt College have access to a great number of Human Service-Community Resources. These resources are helpful in all human needs.

Some of the resources below leave the Merritt College website. The Disabilities Services Program at Merritt neither endorses nor is responsible for any external content.

1. Emergency Numbers
2. Disability Service Agencies
3. Independent Living Resources
4. Employment
5. Training & Education
6. Alameda County Information
7. Legal Assistance
8. Transportation
9. Behavioral & Mental Health Information
10. Family Services
11. Housing
12. Food
13. Drug & Alcohol Recovery Services
14. Health Care
15. Branch Libraries

1. Emergency Numbers

Alameda County 24 Hour Crisis Line
1.800.309.2131

Nationwide Hotline
1-800-Suicide (1-800-784-2433)
1-800-273-talk (8255)

Mental Health
800.491.9099

Suicide Crisis Hotline
800.309.2131

2. Disability Service Agencies

Department Of Rehabilitation
1515 Clay Street, Suite 119
Oakland, CA 94612-1413
510.622.2764

Regional Center Of The East Bay
Alameda County Office
500 Davis Street
San Leandro, CA 94577
510.618.6100

Deaf Services
Berkeley Place Deaf/hearing
510.644.2003

Deaf Counseling Advocacy & Referral Agency/DCARA
1.866.680.0515
Tty.1.877.322.7288

3. Independent Living Resources

Alameda County Independent Living Skills Program
675 Hegenberger Rd #100
Oakland, CA 94621
510.667.7696

Centers For Independent Living, Inc. (cil)
2539 Telegraph Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
510.841.4776

Fruitvale Satellite Office
1470 Fruitvale Avenue
Oakland, CA 94601
510.539.2271

7200 Bancroft Avenue, Suite 9a
Oakland, CA 94605
510.635.4920

4. Employment / Workforce Investment (wib) Of Alameda County

Merritt College One Stop Shop
12500 Campus Drive Q202
Oakland, CA 94619
510.436.2445

Alameda
555 Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway, Portable P
Alameda, CA 94501
510.748.2208

Oakland Career Center
1212 Broadway, Suite 100
Oakland, CA 94601
510.622.4333

Lao Family Community Development, Inc.
2325-12th Street
Oakland, CA 94601
510.533.8850

5. Training & Education

Eden Area Regional Occupational Center/program
26316 Hesperian Blvd.
Hayward, CA 94545
510.293.2916

Mission Valley Regional Occupational Center/program
5019 Stevenson Blvd
Fremont, CA 94538
510.657.6124

Psychological Services And Educational Programs
25580 Campus Drive
Hayward, CA 94542
510.881.2247

Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center
601 Webster Street
Oakland, CA 94607
510.451.4514

6. Alameda County General Info & Referral

Regional Center Of The East Bay
7677 Oak Port Street, Suite 300
Oakland, CA 94621
510.383.1200

Child Care Referral Services
North County Bananas Inc.
www.bananasinc.org/index.php
510.658.7353

South County Alameda County 4c’s
www.4c-alameda.org/en/index.php
510.582.2189

East County Child Care Links
www.childcarelinks.org
925.417.8733

Highland Domestic Violence Program
510.437.4688

National Domestic Violence Hotline
800.799. Safe

Social Services Agency Offices:
North County Multi-service Center Information
2000 San Pablo Avenue
Oakland, CA 94612
510.891.0700

South County-eden Area Multi-service Center Information
24100 Amador Street
Hayward, CA 94544
510.670.6000

Eastmont Self-sufficiency Center Information
6955 Foothill Blvd., Suite 100
Oakland, CA 94605
510.383.5300

Medic-cal Center Information
8477 Enterprise Way
Oakland, CA 94621
510.777.2300

Child Abuse Hotline
Child Protective Service Of
Alameda County
510.259.1800

Bay Area Women Against Rape
510.430.1298

Highland Sexual Assault Response Team (sart)
Highland Hospital Campus
1411-east 31st Street
Oakland, CA 94602
510.534.9290

Save-shelter Against Violence Environments
24-hour Line
510.794.6055

Tri-valley Haven
800.884.8119

Multi-service Centers Of Alameda County
Health Oakland Family Resources Center
Oakland, CA
510.444.9655

Fremont Resource Center
Fremont, CA
510.574.2000

Alameda County
Online Service Database Finder
Ww.alamedaco.info

7. Legal Assistance

Law Libraries
125-12th Street
Oakland, CA 94607
510.208.4800

Public Defender’s Office
1401-lakeside Dr., Ste. 400
Oakland, CA 94544
510.272.6600

Ada Information Line
The U.s. Department Of Justice
Americans With Disabilities Act (ada)
800.514.0301 (voice)
(tty) 800.514.0383

Alameda County/Bay Area Legal Aid
1735 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA 94612
510.663.4744/510.633.4755
510.663.4740
Legal Assistance Line: 510.250.5270
Toll Free Number: 800.551.5554
California Relay Service: Dial 711 Or From Tty Dial 1.800.735.2929

8. Transportation

Para Transit Oakland
150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza #4353
Oakland, CA 94610
510.238.3036
Fax: 510.238.7724
Website: www.oaklandnet.com

Para Transit Alameda
1155 Santa Clara Avenue
510.747.7506
Fax: 510.523.0247
Website: www.alamedaparatransit.com

Para Transit Berkeley
2180 Milvia Street
Berkeley, CA 94702
510.981.7269
Fax: 510.981.5440
Website: www.ci.berkeley.ca.us

Ac Transit Oakland
1600 Franklin Street, (ground Floor)
Oakland, CA 94612
510.891.4706
Tdd/tyy 711 Or 800.735.2929

Bart/customer Service
Oakland, CA
510.465.2278

Alameda County Wheelchair & Scooter Breakdown
Transportation Service
Toll Free: 1.877.50.wheel
(1.877.509.4335)

9. Behavioral & Mental Health Information

Bay Area Community Services
1814 Franklin Street 4th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
510.271.8844

Association Of Alameda County
Eastmont Town Center
7200 Bancroft Avenue, Suite 269
Oakland, CA 94605
888.896.3372
www.askferc.org

Bonita House
6333 Telegraph Avenue, #102
Oakland, CA 94609
510.923.1099
www.bonitahouse.org

Asian Community Mental Health Services
Access Hotline 510.869.7200
www.acmhs.org

La Clinica De La Raza – Casa Del Sol
1501- Fruitvale Avenue
Oakland, CA 94601
510.535.6200
www.laclinca.org

Seneca Center
2275 Arlington Drive
San Leandro, CA 94578
510.481.1222

South County Crisis Response
409 Jackson Street
Hayward, CA 94544
510.891.5600
Qic Code Is 50801

10. Family Services

Through The Looking Glass
2198 6th Street, #100
Berkeley, CA
510.848.1112
www.lookingglass.org

Child Education Center
2100 Browning Street
Berkeley, CA
510.548.1414
www.childeducationcenter.org

Dcara-deaf Counseling Advocacy & Referral Agency
14895 E. 14th Street, #200
San Leandro, CA
510.343.6670
www.dcara.org
Family Services Cont’d

Alameda Family Services
2325 Clement Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501
510.629.6300
www.xanthos.org

Davis Street Community Center
3081 Teagarden Street
San Leandro, CA 94577
510.347.4620

Jewish Family & Children’s Services
510.704.7475

11. Housing

Oakland Housing Authority
1619 Harrison Street
Oakland, CA 94612
510. 874.1500

Housing Authority Of City Of Alameda
701 Atlantic Avenue
Alameda, CA
510.747.4300
www.alamedahsg.org

Housing Authority Of Alameda County
22941 Atherton Street
Hayward, CA
510.538.8875
www.haca.net

Eden I & R Shelter & Housing
Emergency Shelter Program -24 Hour
Hayward: 888.339.safe /510.786.1246
Oakland: 510.534.6030

Fesco (family Emergency Shelter Coalition)
Hayward, CA
510.581.3223

Concord Housing
20365 Concord Avenue
Hayward, CA 510.278.1843
www.jsco.net

12. Food

Berkeley Food Pantry
1600 Sacramento Street
Berkeley, CA 94702
510.525.2280
Open Monday, Wednesday And Friday 2:00 – 4:00 P.m.

Richmond Emergency Food Pantry
2369 Barrett Ave
Richmond, CA
510.235.9732
Tuesday Or Friday 11:00 A.m. To 3:00 P.m.

Telegraph Ministry Center – Food Pantry
5316 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94609
510.658.4457
Wednesday 11:00 A.m. To 4:00 P.m.
Friday 10:00 A.m. To 2:00 P.m.

Manna Fromm Heaver Breakfast
5316 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94609
Wednesday Thru Sunday 6:30 To 8:00 A.m.

Alameda Country Community Food Bank
800.870.3663
Monday Thru Friday 9:00 A.m. – 4:00 P.m.

13. Drug & Alcohol Recovery Services

New Bridge Foundation
2323 Heart Ave
Berkeley, CA 94709
510.548.7270

Berkeley Addiction Treatment Services
2975 Sacramento Street
Berkeley, CA 94703
510.644.0200

Cura (carnales Unidos Reformando Adictos)
4510 Peralta Blvd
Fremont, CA 94536
510.713.3200

East Oakland Recovery Center
7200 Bancroft Ave
Oakland, CA 94605
510.568.2432

Haart
10850 Macarthur Blvd
Oakland, CA 94605
510.875.2300 Ext. 236

Horizon Services: Chrysalis Program (women)
3837 – 3845 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94609
510.450.1190
(facility For Women 18 Years Of Age & Older)

Kaiser Permanente Chemical Dependency Services
969 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94607
510. 251.0121

Magnolia Women’s Recovery Program
682 Briergate Way
Hayward, CA 94544
510.487.2910

Mujeres Con Esperanza
1319 Fruitvale Ave
Oakland, CA 94601
510.536.4764

New Bridge Foundation – Aspire School Program
979 San Pablo Ave
Albany, CA 94706
510.558.1990

Options Recovery Services
1931 Center Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
510.666.9552

Orchid Women’s Recovery Center
1342 E. 27th Street
Oakland, CA 94606
510.535.0611

Project Primavera
3209 Galindo Street
Oakland, CA 94601
510.532.5995
(ages 12-18)

Saacs (successful Alternative For Addiction
And Counseling Services)
795 Fletcher Lane
Hayward, CA 94544
510.247.8300

Second Chance Hayward
107 Jackson Street
Hayward, CA 94544
510. 886.8696

Thunder Road Adolescent Treatment
390 40th Street
Oakland, CA 94609
510.653.5040

West Oakland Health Center: Outpatient
700 Adeline Street
Oakland, CA 94609
510.433.1500

City Team
722 Washington Street
Oakland, CA 94607
510.452.3758

Highland Hospital
1411 E. 31st Street
Oakland, CA 94602
510.437.5192 Or 510.437.5137

14. Health Care

Hayward Wellness
664 Southland Mall
Hayward, CA 94545
510.437.8500

Alameda County Medical Center – Highland Campus
1411 E. 31st Street
Oakland, CA 94602
510.437.4800

Asian Health Services
818 Webster Street
Oakland, CA 94607
510.986.6800

Clinica Alta Vista
1515 Fruitvale Ave
Oakland, CA 94601
510.535.6300

East Oakland Health Center
7450 International Blvd
Oakland, CA 94621
510.430.9401

Lifelong Down Town Oakland
616 16th Street
Oakland, CA 94612
510.451.4270

Lifelong Howard Daniel Clinic
9933 Macarthur Blvd
Oakland, CA 94605
510.568.3206

Native American Health Center
2950 International Blvd
Oakland, CA 94601
510.535.4400

San Antonio Neighborhood Health Center
1030 International Blvd
Oakland, CA 94606
510.238.5400

West Oakland Health Center
700 Adeline Street
Oakland, CA 94607
510.835.9610

15. Branch Libraries

Diamond Branch
3565 Fruitvale Ave
Oakland, CA
510.482.7844

Elmhurst Branch
1427 88th Ave
Oakland, CA
510.615.5727

81st Avenue Branch
102181st Ave
Oakland, CA
510.615.5812

Rockridge Branch
5366 College Ave
Oakland, CA
510.597.5017

African American Museum
& Library
659 14th Street
Oakland, CA
510.637.0200

Asian Branch
388 9th Street
Oakland, CA
510.238.3400

Brookfield Branch
9255 Edes Ave
Oakland, CA 94603
510.615.5725

Cesar E. Chavez
3301 E. 12th Street
Oakland, CA
510.535.5620

Eastmont Branch
7200 Bancroft, Suite 211
Oakland, CA
510.615.5726

Golden Gate Branch
5606 San Pablo Ave
Oakland, CA
510.597.5023

Lakeview Branch
550 El Embarcadero
Oakland, CA
510.238.7344

Martin Luther King Jr.
6833 International Blvd
Oakland, CA
510.615.5728

Melrose
4805 Foothill Blvd
Oakland, CA
510.535.5623

Montclair
1687 Mountain Blvd
Oakland, CA
510.482.7810

Piedmont Ave
80 Echo Ave
Oakland, CA
510.597.5011

Temescal
5205 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA
510.597.5049

Tool Lending Library
5205 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA
510.597.5089

West Oakland
1801 Adeline Street
Oakland, CA 94607
510.238.7352

Berkeley Public Library
2090 Kittredge Street
Oakland, CA
510.981.6100

North Berkeley
1170 The Alameda
Berkeley, CA
510.981.6250

Berkeley Library
1125 University Ave
Berkeley, CA
510.981.6270

Claremont Public Library
2940 Benvenue Ave
Berkeley, CA
510.981.6280

Advocacy

National Council on Independent Living

Self Advocacy Resource Network

World Institute On Disabilities

Advocacy in Special Education and in with Disabilities in General

The Council for Disability Rights
A non-profit organization in Chicago providing public education, information, referrals, counseling, job training, and many other services to the disabled community. Though many of their programs are local to the Chicago area, much of the information they provide is not.

Resources for Faculty

Under federal and State laws, Merritt College is required to ensure that academic requirements and practices, facilities, electronic information technology, printed materials, and College services and activities are accessible to individuals with disabilities. The College will make modifications as necessary in order to provide equal access. I. The role of the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) program is to assist the college in meeting federal and state obligations to students with disabilities. SAS is the primary provider of support programs and services that facilitate equal educational opportunities for students with disabilities who can benefit from instruction as required by federal and State laws.

Note: All accommodation services are provided on a request-based basis. This is one of the biggest differences between IDEA/504 (covering K-12 education) and A.D.A. (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990); Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for college and beyond.

We look forward to seeing you!

Faculty & Staff

SAS Coordinator/
Counselor
Frances Moy
fmoy@peralta.edu
(510) 434-3974
R-109B

SAS Counselor
Ronald Nelson
ronelson@peralta.edu
510-436-2516
R-109D

SAS High-Tech Center Specialist Mitra Mofidi High-Tech Center Specialist
Mitra Mofidi
mitramofidi@peralta.edu
510-436-2592
Cell: 510-328-2315
P-306

Counselor/Assessment Specialist
Veronica Castro
veronicacastro@peralta.edu
510-436-2579
R-109C | P-305

SAS Counselor
Laura Cheng
lycheng@peralta.edu
510-436-2516
R-109D

SAS Staff Assistant
Soledad Leung
Sleung@peralta.edu
510-436-2454
R-109A

Apply Today!

Completing your application takes less than 30 minutes! We’ve created an application guide to help you quickly and easily complete the steps to apply and enroll.

Apply

Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

Welcome to Student Accessibility Services

Contact Information

SAS Resources