DSPS High Tech Center (HTC)

The DSPS High Tech Center (also known as the HTC) provides students with technology and instructional support, training, assistive technology workshops, and registration assistance. Please see below for a list of the assistive technology training provided.

High Tech Center Hours

• The DSPS High Tech Center is open Monday through Thursday for DSPS students to use during open lab hours with or without assistance. In-person assistance is available and no appointment is required.

• DSPS 304 Instructional Support Lab offers a laboratory setting in which students with disabilities can utilize specialized computer equipment to complete academic coursework under the supervision of a Disability Specialist/Instructor.

• Please see below for open lab and instructional lab hours.

Holiday Break Closure

• The High Tech Center will be closed from December 17, 2024 through January 1, 2025 for the holiday break.

Winter 2025 Hours (effective January 2, 2025 through January 22, 2025)

• Monday - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

• Tuesday - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

• Wednesday - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

• Thursday - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (closed from 10:50 am to 12:50 pm)

• Friday - Closed

Notice of Closures (subject to change)

• The High Tech Center will be closed on the following dates:

  • Closed December 17, 2024 through January 1, 2025 - Holiday Break

  • Closed January 20, 2025 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observed 

  • Closed January 23, 2025 and January 24, 2025

Contact Information

• Email: DSPS High Tech Center (dspshtc@collegeofthedesert.edu), Bonnie Russell, Serah Tucker

• Phone: 760-776-7397

• Location: Cravens Student Services Center (CSSC), Room 118

• Online: DSPS Instagram

Student Training and Resources

• Learn about Kurzweil 3000; or Login to Kurzweil 3000. Note that all COD students have free access by signing in with their COD Microsoft account email.

• Tutoring and Academic Skills Center (TASC)

• Virtual Library and Student Resource Guide

• Free and Low Cost Internet and WiFi (click on Connectivity Resources)

• College of the Desert Community Resources

Free Microsoft Office 365 Software

Free software is available for all current and new COD students from our partnership with Microsoft to support your success.

You are now eligible to install Microsoft’s Office 365 on up to 5 devices, including PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets (Surface and iPad) free of charge. Using the 1 TB of storage space in OneDrive and the dynamic note-taking software OneNote you will be able to collaborate with ease with your peers. In addition, by installing Microsoft Office 365 you will have access to Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint. All students will have access once they log into their mycod.us email account.

High Tech Center Support and Training

The High Tech Center provides technology support, training and workshops for certain assistive technology. Training and workshops are by appointment. Technology support is available in-person during open lab hours. Please inquire with the HTC for details.

Training: If you need training on Kurzweil or Otter.ai, please schedule your appointment by calling Bonnie or Serah at 760-776-7397 or emailing Bonnie Russell.

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology requires counselor approval as an accommodation.

Training is provided for the following assistive technology:

• Kurzweil 3000 - Text-to-speech software which allows textbook scanning and reading, as well as other features

• Recording Apps - Applications which provide audio recording and notetaking assistance

Take home licenses and tutorials are available for active COD students for the following:

• JAWS - Computer screen reader software for the blind

• ZoomText and ZoomText Fusion - Magnification and screen reading software for the visually impaired