Disabled Students' Program

What Disabled Students' Program does

The Disabled Students' Program (DSP) is a department within UC Berkeley's Division of Equity & Inclusion, established in 1970 in the lineage of Ed Roberts' pioneering role in the Independent Living Movement. DSP provides legally mandated and supplemental accommodation services to UC Berkeley students with documented permanent or temporary disabilities, serving 6,205 active students in Spring 2026—approximately 9% of the university's student population. The program is staffed by ~40-50 FTE employees plus 400+ contracted service providers and student volunteers, with an annual operating budget of approximately $3.5-4 million in state and permanent funding, supplemented by a federal TRIO Student Support Services grant and gifts/endowments.

The program's core technology platform is the Accessible Information Management (AIM) system, a web-based case management tool fully integrated with Berkeley's Student Information System (SIS/Cal Central). AIM provides student, faculty, and staff portals that handle accommodation applications, documentation upload, Letter of Accommodation requests, exam scheduling, note-taker coordination, and alternative media services. The service portfolio comprises four Auxiliary Service units—Alternative Media, Communication Services (CART captioning and ASL interpretation), Note-Taking Services, and Proctoring—plus Support Services including the Disability Cultural Community Center, DSP TRIO Scholars, Career Services, Autism Spectrum Services (Spectrum Connect), and Learning Specialist Services. In 2025 DSP deployed an enhanced AI-assisted note-taking suite featuring Genio, Otter AI, and Messenger Pigeon.

DSP operates as a non-commercial public service: all accommodations are provided free of charge to eligible UC Berkeley students, funded entirely by institutional and federal sources. Exam requests handled grew from 3,822 in 2021-2022 to 14,103 in 2024-2025, and students served expanded from 4,153 in 2020-2021 to 5,711 in 2024-2025. The program's strategic positioning rests on its regulatory mandate (ADA, Section 504), its institutional brand heritage, and its integration within the UC Berkeley academic ecosystem rather than on commercial competitive dynamics.

Name

Disabled Students' Program

Legal name

The Regents of the University of California

Website

https://dsp.berkeley.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UC Berkeley's Disabled Students' Program (DSP) provides legally mandated and supplemental accommodations—including note-taking, proctoring, CART/ASL, alternative media, and TRIO SSS support—to over 6,200 enrolled students with documented disabilities, operated free of charge via the AIM case management platform and ~50 FTE staff under a $3.5-4M+ annual budget.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Disability Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Case Management, Retention & Student Support (EDALAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Note-Taking, Interpreting & Communication Access Services (EDALAGAD), Faculty/Staff Training & Accessibility Awareness Programs (EDALAGAI), College Readiness & Disability Services Transition Support (EDAKANAB)

Keywords

• Disability accommodations
• Higher education access
• Student support services
• Auxiliary academic services
• Assistive education technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Berkeley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. University of California Berkeley Funding: State and permanent funding as part of UC Berkeley's Equity and Inclusion division. Unit has annual operating budget of approximately $3.5-4 million in state and permanent funding. Additional funding from gifts and endowments.
2. Federal TRIO Grant: Department of Education TRIO Student Support Services federal grant administered by DSP for supporting students with disabilities from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Disabled Students' Program (DSP) at UC Berkeley provides legally mandated accommodations and student success services to enrolled undergraduate and graduate students with documented permanent or temporary disabilities. Core offerings include note-taking services, alternative media formats, proctoring for exams, and communication access (CART real-time captioning and ASL interpretation), coordinated through the Accessible Information Management (AIM) web platform and delivered by Disability Specialists and contracted service providers. All services are provided free of charge to qualified UC Berkeley students.

Product overview

The Disabled Students' Program (DSP) at UC Berkeley operates as a comprehensive disability services department under the Division of Equity & Inclusion, providing a unified platform of accommodation services and support programs for students with disabilities. The core technology infrastructure centers on the Accessible Information Management (AIM) system—a web-based case management platform that integrates student, faculty, and staff portals for coordinating accommodations. DSP's service portfolio comprises four main Auxiliary Service units (Alternative Media, Communication Services/CART & ASL, Note-Taking Services, and Proctoring), supplemented by Support Services including DSP TRIO Scholars SSS, the Disability Cultural Community Center, Learning Specialist Services, Career Services, and Autism Spectrum Services. The note-taking technology offerings include Genio, Otter AI, and Messenger Pigeon as accommodation tools. DSP serves over 6,000 students with approximately 40-50 FTE staff and administers a Department of Education TRIO Student Support Services federal grant.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Accessible Information Management System (AIM): Web-based database system for DSP to communicate and interact with faculty, staff, and disabled students
• DSP Scholars TRIO SSS
• Disability Cultural Community (DCC) Center

Products and services

• Accessible Information Management System (AIM) A comprehensive web-based accommodation, appointment, and case management platform integrated with Berkeley's Student Information System (SIS/Cal Central). It provides portals for students to apply for services, request accommodations, access notes, and view proctoring information; for faculty to view accommodations, upload syllabi, and initiate exam requests; and for staff to manage the full accommodation workflow.
• Alternative Media Services Provides accessible formats of textbooks and course materials for students with disabilities, including digital text, audio, and Braille formats.
• Communication Services (CART/ASL) Real-time captioning (CART) and American Sign Language interpretation services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students to ensure equal access to educational programs.
• Note-Taking Services Peer notetaker coordination and technology-enabled note-taking solutions including Genio, Otter AI, and Messenger Pigeon for students who require notes as an accommodation.
• Proctoring Services Exam accommodation services for students with disabilities, including extended time, separate testing locations, and other exam-related accommodations.
• DSP TRIO Student Support Services (DSP Scholars) Federal Department of Education TRIO program providing high-touch academic support including individualized academic coaching, tutoring, goal-setting, peer check-ins, learning support groups, and graduate school assistance for students with disabilities from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Disability Cultural Community (DCC) Center A cultural center providing community, programming, and support for students with disabilities at UC Berkeley, fostering belonging and connection among the disability community.
• Learning Specialist Services Academic coaching and support services including workshops on learning strategies, time management, exam preparation, study skills, and test-taking strategies for students with disabilities.
• Career Services Professional career preparation support including resume review, interview coaching, professional networking opportunities, and career advising for students with disabilities.
• Autism Spectrum Services (Spectrum Connect) Specialized programming and support services for students on the autism spectrum, offering social networking opportunities and skill-building at no cost to students.
• Genio (Note-Taking Technology) AI-enabled note-taking software that allows students to take notes while recording lectures, combining visuals with text and audio recordings for enhanced learning accessibility. Provided free to students upon request through DSP's Note-Taking Services.
• Otter AI (Note-Taking Technology) AI-powered speech-to-text transcription platform that converts spoken words into written text in real-time, featuring automated note-taking, speaker identification, and AI-generated summaries. Provided free to students through DSP's Note-Taking Services.
• Messenger Pigeon (Note-Taking Technology) Audio capture and transcription app with professional notetaker services that organizes recordings into professional notes for inclusive learning. Provided free to students through DSP's Note-Taking Services.

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia Department of Rehabilitation works in partnership with DSP consumers to provide services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living, and equality for individuals with disabilities. DOR counselors provide funding for education, housing costs, books and supplies for eligible students attending UC Berkeley.
• Disability Rights Advocates (DRA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit legal center with mission to ensure dignity, equality, and opportunity for people with all types of disabilities. Provides legal advocacy support.
• The Center for Accessible Technology (CforAT)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides access to computers for people with disabilities, business consulting on creating accessible websites, and maintains a test bank of users with disabilities to test products and services.
• The Ed Roberts CampussupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit corporation formed by disability organizations sharing common history in the Independent Living Movement. Houses fully accessible meeting rooms, computer/media resource center, fitness center, and child development center at Ashby BART Station.
• World Institute on Disability (WID)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternationally recognized public policy center organized by and for people with disabilities, working through research, training, advocacy and public education.
• Through the Looking Glass (TLG)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationally recognized center pioneering research, training, and services for families in which a child, parent or grandparent has a disability. Founded in 1982 in Berkeley.
• Disability Rights CaliforniasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit disability rights organization working since 1978 to advance human and legal rights of Californians with disabilities throughout the state.
• AXIS Dance CompanysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the world's most acclaimed physically integrated dance ensembles, founded in 1987. Performs throughout the US and internationally, promoting disability culture.
• Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) non-profit improving health, independence and social integration of people with physical disabilities through sports, fitness and recreation programs.
• Active MindssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNation's premier nonprofit supporting mental health awareness and education for students.
• Eye to EyesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational, award-winning mentoring program for students with learning and attention issues, pairing college mentors with middle school students.
• Berkeley Career EngagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Berkeley Career Engagement for career preparation support including resume review, interview coaching, and professional networking for DSP students.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• AHEAD (Association on Higher Education and Disability): Professional membership association that supports disability service providers in higher education—providing training, resources, and policy advocacy that directly supports DSP's professional operations and the broader field DSP operates in.

Direct peers

• NYU Moses Center for Students with Disabilities: NYU's centralized disability services office provides accommodations, testing services, and case management to a large urban research university student body. Directly comparable to DSP in operational model and service breadth.
• University of Michigan Services for Students with Disabilities: Large public university's disability services office providing academic accommodations, adaptive technology, and auxiliary services to a student population comparable in scale to UC Berkeley. Operates under similar ADA/Section 504 compliance requirements as DSP.
• MIT Student Disability Services: MIT's disability services office delivers academic accommodations, notetaking, and access services to students with documented disabilities. Comparable in mission and scope to DSP, with a similar mix of high-need STEM and humanities students.
• UC Davis Student Disability Center: Another UC system peer institution offering accommodations, auxiliary services, and academic support to students with disabilities. Shares DSP's institutional structure, funding model, and regulatory backdrop within the University of California.
• Harvard College Accessibility Office: Harvard's office providing accommodations, assistive technology, and access services to students with disabilities across the university's schools. Operates at similar scale and mission as DSP, serving a comparable elite student population.
• Stanford Office of Accessible Education: Stanford's centralized disability services office provides academic accommodations, assistive technology, and case management to undergraduate and graduate students—directly comparable to DSP's role at UC Berkeley within a similarly elite research university context.
• UCLA Office for Students with Disabilities: A UC system peer providing accommodation, case management, and auxiliary services (note-taking, proctoring, alternative media, ASL/CART) to UCLA students with disabilities. Same operating model, scope, and regulatory framework as DSP.

Broad incumbents

• 3Play Media: Commercial provider of captioning, transcription, and audio description services that overlaps with DSP's Communication Services (CART captioning) and Alternative Media offerings, but serves a broader enterprise customer base across higher education and media.

Emerging players

• Otter.ai: AI-powered speech-to-text and meeting transcription platform that DSP has adopted as a note-taking accommodation tool. Represents the broader commercial market for accessibility tech that overlaps with DSP's auxiliary service offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/disabled-students'-program

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Disabled Students' Program