COA 09-11 Catalog - Peralta Colleges

40 services FOR STUDENTSinjury, visual impairment, or physical disability.Adaptations include programs to increase print sizeon the screen; speech synthesizers that read aloudinformation on the screen; voice input to allow“hands free” computer operation; an embosser forBraille output of written material; and programs thatmodify the keyboard.Brain Injury Program - Computers are used as atool in teaching cognitive skills to students withspecific learning disabilities or acquired braininjuries resulting from head trauma, stroke, hypoxia,brain tumor, infections of the brain or ingestion oftoxic substances. The Improving Cognitive Skillsclass remediates basic mental processes such asmemory, attention, concentration, perception, andorientation. It retrains complex thinking skills such ascategorizing, sequencing, problem solving, abstractreasoning, and communicating. It helps studentsdevelop compensatory strategies for coping withdecreased cognitive function.3. The Vocational Living Skills Program provides atransition to work for individuals who have a desireto work and who want to develop the skills neededto seek and maintain employment. Courses are alsooffered in independent living skills. The programserves primarily persons with developmentaldisabilities, but students with other disabilities alsoenroll as appropriate.4. The Workability III Program provides job searchskills training and job placement services for personswith disabilities. Workability III is a joint programbetween College of Alameda and the Department ofRehabilitation.For additional information on DSPS services or programs,call (510) 748-2328 or visit the DSPS office in RoomD117.Safety ServicesThe Alameda County Sheriff’s Department providessworn deputies on this campus to assist students andstaff. Sheriff’s deputies are an integral part of the Collegecommunity, functioning as consistently as possible withthe College’ s philosophy and objectives. Deputies aresworn police officers, responsible for the reporting andinvestigation of all emergency and police matters oncampus. In an emergency, dial 7236, or 465-3456. Sheriff’sdeputies are located in Room F121.Safety AidesSafety Aides assist Safety Services by patrolling thecampus and its parking lots. Aides are available for escortservices to and from parking lots. To receive assistance,please call (510) 466-7236.Student ActivitiesCo-curricular activities are an important part of theeducational experience. All students are encouraged tobecome involved in some phase of co-curricular activities.The opportunity for self-government, as provided for bythe Peralta Colleges’ Board of Trustees and the Collegeof Alameda administration, is particularly challenging.Involvement in student government allows the studentto view and explore the College as a whole, as wellas the various parts that form the institution to whichhe/she belongs. Through active involvement, a betterunderstanding of the overall process of education maybe attained.Active participation in student government providesthe student an opportunity not only to assist in thedevelopment of co-curricular programs, formulationof general College policies and to become involved insolving general College problems, but it also provideseffective channels to promote change and growth withinthe College system.The Student Activities Office is located in F116. For furtherinformation, call (510) 748-2249.Associated Students (ASCOA)The Associated Students of College of Alameda (ASCOA)have formed a student government designed to provide amechanism to assist and improve the campus environmentthrough changing and improving the already existingservices.The effective functioning of ASCOA depends uponstudent participation and financial support. Becausethe financial support for student activities comes fromthe purchase of student body cards, each student isencouraged to purchase a card.The purchaser of a student body card is entitled to thefollowing privileges:1. The privilege of holding student association offices;2. Participation in all student clubs and organizations;3. Discounts from various merchants in the Collegedistrict;4. Free or reduced admissions to Peralta Colleges’sponsored activities, including interscholastic athleticevents.Clubs and organizations may be formed under Collegestaff sponsorship whenever there is a worthwhile purposeand sufficient interest is indicated. The organization ofclubs is controlled by ASCOA. Each club must be officiallyrecognized in order to use the College name or to sponsoror participate in campus activities. Information concerningorganizational procedures, as well as the use of Collegefacilities, may be obtained from the Student ActivitiesOffice.