Student Disability and Accessibility Center

Getting Started

CSUMB’s Student Disability and Accessibility Center (SDAC) assists students with gaining access to university programs and services such as accommodations for academic courses, housing and a variety of assistive technologies. SDAC Advisors support students in registering, authorizing accommodations, advising on procedures and are able to refer students to on and off campus departments.

Students should begin making arrangements to request accommodations as early as 2 months prior to each semester. Each SDAC accommodation page informs students of the approximate lead time required to receive an accommodation. 

Step #1

Before you can schedule an intake appointment, you must complete the following steps: 

1) Complete the application to begin the registration process. 

2)  Disability verification is not required to apply for services. 

3))  If you have disability verification documentation, it can be uploaded with your application. Disability verification documentation should be from a licensed treating provider, and include an explanation as to how your disability/medical condition impacts/causes a barrier to your participation in the classroom or campus housing environments. Diagnostic information does not need to be included.  You may use your provider's own form, or choose one these forms as applicable:

An SDAC Advisor can provide assistance with developing a plan to obtain a comprehensive learning disability assessment or other disability verification based on CSU Policy.

If you do not have documentation to upload at the time of completing the application, you can upload it at a later time by logging into the AIM Student Portal and using the "Additional and/or Updated Documentation" feature.  

SDAC ensures confidentiality of all disability-related documents and communication with students.

4) After the application is completed and documentation verifying a disability/medical condition/functional limitation has been uploaded into the AIM Student Portal, an SDAC Advisor will review the forms. SDAC will then email you on the status of your application and next steps.

5)  Don't forget to vote!  The Voter Preference form is available and can be mailed to sdac@csumb.edu.

Step #2

Once you have received an email from SDAC directing you to schedule an intake appointment, please do so by calling the SDAC office at (831) 582-3672 or emailing  SDAC@csumb.edu. 

  • If you are currently enrolled in classes, schedule the soonest available appointment.
  • If you are a new, incoming student requesting housing accommodations for the Fall semester, please schedule your appointment after you've been accepted to CSUMB. SDAC opens our separate application for housing accommodation services on March 1 annually.  You will also need to apply separately for  Student Housing.
  • If you are a new, incoming student requesting classroom accommodations, please schedule your appointment after you have enrolled in your Fall courses, ideally 6 weeks before the start of the semester. If you are starting at CSUMB in the Spring semester, please schedule your appointment as soon as you are  enrolled in courses, and ideally 6 weeks before the start of the semester. Note there is a campus break during this period where offices will not be open to process requests.

Students who utilize accommodations such as alternative formats, sign language interpreters, and temporary remote access, should make arrangements to meet with an SDAC Advisor as soon as they are registered for courses, as these accommodations may require several weeks to provide.

Step #3

Meet with a SDAC Advisor during your scheduled intake appointment.

During this meeting, you will discuss your specific needs with your SDAC Disability Advisor, who will work with you to discuss and recommend reasonable accommodations. The following questions will be answered in the process:

  • what accommodations will be provided
  • when the accommodations will be provided
  • who is responsible for providing the accommodations
  • how the accommodations will be provided

Standard procedures for accommodation services (e.g., sign language, document conversion to alternate formats, test taking facilitation) may also be discussed. Some accommodation requests may need more than one meeting for full consideration of needs.