Personal Attendant

Students interested in this accommodation must be registered with SAS and meet with a SAS counselor during their Welcome Meeting or schedule an appointment with a SAS counselor to discuss the need for this accommodation if it has not been previously authorized.

During this conversation, you and the SAS counselor will discuss whether use of a Personal Attendant may be an appropriate accommodation.

Once authorized for this accommodation, you must request updated Accommodation Forms from SAS each semester if you wish to use a Personal Attendant in your class(es).

You are responsible for notifying your Personal Attendant that they must submit a completed MiraCosta College Personal Attendant Accommodation & Agreement Form each semester.

If a different or additional Personal Attendant is needed during the semester, you are responsible for ensuring they submit the completed form.

Personal Attendants must review and submit a completed MiraCosta College Personal Attendant Accommodation & Agreement Form for the semester they will be supporting the student in class. Personal Attendants must not attend with the student in the classroom until:

1. The student has been authorized for this accommodation for the semester, and
2. The Personal Attendant has submitted the completed MiraCosta College Personal Attendant Accommodation & Agreement Form to SAS.

Students approved for the Personal Attendant accommodation may be accompanied by a Personal Attendant in class or other instructional settings (ex. class field trip). The Personal Attendant's role is to provide individualized support that enables the student to access and participate in course activities. Personal Attendants do not participate in the course independently and are not responsible for communicating with instructors on behalf of the student.

Faculty should continue to communicate directly with the student regarding course content, academic expectations, attendance, and participation. Personal Attendants are present to support the student and should not disrupt instruction or classroom activities.

If you have questions regarding the implementation of this accommodation or concerns about the role of a Personal Attendant in your class, we encourage you to review the Guidelines and Policies and Instructor FAQ below. If you need assistance resolving an issue or would like to consult further about this accommodation, please contact the SAS counselor listed on the student's accommodation letter or contact SAS at (760) 795-6658 or sas@miracosta.edu.

Personal Attendants are expected to adhere to the following:

• Personal Attendants provide individualized physical or behavioral support that enables classroom participation but do not serve an instructional or advocacy role. Instructional decisions and classroom management remain the responsibility of the instructor, while the attendant’s assistance focuses on tasks such as turning pages, retrieving materials, attending to medical needs, or providing support that helps the student access and participate in classroom activities.
  
  
• Personal Attendants will provide services in a discreet manner without disrupting instruction. They should not engage in communication on behalf of the student with instructors, classroom staff, or classmates.
  
  
• Personal Attendants are not responsible for the student’s academic progress.
  
  
• Personal Attendants will not participate in the class independently.
  
  
• Personal Attendants will not discuss any confidential information about the student with the instructor, staff or other students.
  
  
• Personal Attendants are allowed in proctoring appointments on a case-by-case basis, dependent upon approval of a SAS Counselor.
  
  
• Personal Attendants cannot use any course material or information shared in the classroom setting (online or on campus) in any way that would interfere with the legal right of privacy for the students and/or the instructor and must ensure protection of content licensing.
  
  
• Personal Attendants are expected to follow the Administrative Procedure 5500: Standards of Student Conduct and comply with all expectations outlined above. Failure to adhere to these expectations and procedures may result in the college determining that the Personal Attendant is no longer permitted to support the student in the classroom. In such cases, the accommodation for a Personal Attendant remains in place for the student, but the student will be responsible for identifying a different Personal Attendant, who must also complete and submit the MiraCosta College Personal Attendant Accommodation & Agreement Form.

Who hires and pays for my Personal Attendant?
Students are responsible for securing, training, and compensating their own Personal Attendants.

Can SAS help me find a Personal Attendant?
SAS does not provide Personal Attendants, but they can help direct you to community resources.

What if my Personal Attendant is absent?
Students should plan ahead for backup support. The absence of a Personal Attendant does not change course requirements or attendance expectations.

Can my Personal Attendant help with my academic work?
Personal Attendants cannot complete assignments or take quizzes/exams for you, or otherwise participate academically.

Can a Personal Attendant attend class in my place?
No. Personal Attendants are only present to assist you while you are attending class.

What should I do if I have questions about this accommodation?
If you have already been authorized to use a Personal Attendant, please contact the SAS counselor listed at the bottom of your Accommodation Form, or reach out to SAS directly at sas@miracosta.edu or 760-795-6658. If you have not yet been authorized for a Personal Attendant but have questions about this accommodation, please contact SAS using the information above. SAS staff can answer your questions and, if needed, help schedule a meeting between you and a SAS counselor.

Does my Personal Attendant need to pay for parking?
Following approval by SAS, Personal Attendants are eligible to receive a free parking pass for the semester they are supporting you, provided that your Accommodation Form for the semester includes "Accompanied by a Personal Attendant" and the Personal Attendant submitted a completed Personal Attendant Accommodation & Agreement Form for that semester.

What is the role of the Personal Attendant in my classroom?
A Personal Attendant provides individualized assistance to help the student fully participate in class. Their support should be discreet and should not disrupt instruction. They do not serve any instructional or advocacy roles. You remain the authority in the classroom. While SAS authorizes the accommodation, the Personal Attendant is not an employee or volunteer of the District. Personal Attendants as an accommodation are allowed per MiraCosta College Administrative Procedure 4072: Opening Class Sessions to the Public / Visitors to the Classroom.

Is a Personal Attendant always required to be present in the classroom with the student?
No. There are several reasons a Personal Attendant may not be present. For example, the student may decide the attendant is no longer needed in class, may take breaks to meet with the attendant outside the classroom, or the attendant may be absent due to illness or schedule challenges.

Can the student use a family member or friend as a Personal Attendant, and can they have different attendants?
Yes to both. The accommodation allows someone who knows the student best to assist them in class. For example, if the student works with a private agency and their usual attendant is unavailable, another attendant from that agency or a family member may attend instead.

Do I need to do anything before a Personal Attendant starts attending my class?
No. The student is responsible for providing you with their updated Accommodation Form for your class. If authorized, the form will include “Accompanied by Personal Attendant” in the list of accommodations. You may be asked to help facilitate seating by ensuring an extra seat is available if needed.

What should I do if a student comes to class accompanied by someone and the Accommodation Form has not been provided or does not list “Accompanied by Personal Attendant”?
Politely inform the student that visitors are not permitted unless authorized by SAS. Refer the student to SAS for clarification at sas@miracosta.edu or (760) 795-6658 or feel free to contact SAS to notify us that someone attended class with the student.

Can I communicate with the Personal Attendant instead of the student?
All academic communication must involve the student directly. Personal Attendants may introduce themselves and let you know who they are supporting, but avoid communicating to or about the student through the attendant. Encourage direct interaction between you and the student whenever possible.

How should I handle confidentiality when a Personal Attendant is present?
Personal Attendants are expected to maintain confidentiality and must not share any student information. All discussions and classroom records should remain between you and the student. The attendant may be present during private or academic conversations at the student’s request, but they cannot receive or share confidential information independently.

What should I do if a Personal Attendant violates classroom expectations or the expectations listed on this webpage?
Document your observations and contact SAS at sas@miracosta.edu or (760) 795-6658. It is strongly recommended that you also notify your Department Chair and/or Dean.

Who should I contact if I have questions about this accommodation?
If you have any questions or need clarification about the Personal Attendant accommodation, please contact SAS at sas@miracosta.edu or (760) 795-6658.

What is my role as a Personal Attendant?
You play an important role in helping students access and fully participate in the classroom. You provide individualized support that enables classroom participation but do not serve an instructional or advocacy role. The instructor remains the authority in the classroom responsible for classroom management and instruction. If you have questions regarding your role, we recommend the student contact SAS at (760) 795-6658 or sas@miracosta.edu to schedule a meeting with SAS. You are welcome to attend that meeting so we can review and clarify the roles together.

Do I need to complete any forms before attending class?
Yes. You must review and submit the Personal Attendant Accommodation & Agreement Form each semester before attending class with the student. You cannot attend until the student has been authorized for this accommodation for the semester, and you have submitted the completed form to SAS.

If you are unsure whether the student has received an updated Accommodation Form for the class, please ask them directly. If they have not yet received their Accommodation Form for the class, please encourage them to contact SAS.

Can I communicate with the instructor on behalf of the student?
No. Academic communication should involve the student directly. You may briefly introduce yourself to the instructor as the student’s Personal Attendant. You may also be present to support the student during these interactions if the student would like you to be there. However, we encourage supporting the student in communicating independently whenever possible.

Example introduction:
“Hello, I am the student's Personal Attendant this semester. I’m here to support them as needed.”

What should I do if I believe the student may need additional accommodations or support?
If you believe the student may need additional support or that an accommodation is not working as intended, please encourage the student to contact SAS to schedule a meeting with a SAS counselor. SAS can review what is working, discuss any challenges, and determine whether adjustments are appropriate. You may share your observations with the student and, if the student chooses, attend the meeting with them. However, decisions about accommodations must be made through the student’s direct communication with SAS.

What are the confidentiality expectations?
You must maintain strict confidentiality and may not share any information about the student with instructors, staff, or classmates. You are also expected to follow classroom policies related to confidentiality. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), MiraCosta College employees are generally not permitted to discuss a student’s educational records, accommodations, or course-related information with a Personal Attendant. College employees may communicate directly with the student, and the Personal Attendant may be present during those conversations at the student’s request. However, the communication must remain with the student.

Can I receive a parking pass?
Yes. If you request a parking pass on the Agreement Form, SAS will review your submission and email you instructions for completing the process with Campus Police to receive a free parking pass.

What happens if I'm notified that I have violated the expectations of the Personal Attendant?
Failure to comply with the expectations may result in a decision that you cannot continue supporting the student in class. In this case, the student may still use the accommodation but will need to identify a different Personal Attendant who also completes the required form. If you have questions about the expectations, we recommend that the student schedule a meeting with SAS, and you are welcome to attend that meeting so we can review and clarify the expectations together.