- Students with disabilities seeking accommodations in University Housing generally must provide current documentation of their disability to the Office of Disability Services (ODS). An example of an exception to the requirement is a student who utilizes a mobility device such as a wheelchair.
- The process of providing access to accommodations for a disability in University Housing is shared between the ODS and housing staff. The role the ODS staff plays is to receive the student’s documentation, review it to determine if it supports the provision of reasonable accommodations because of a disability or disabilities that significantly impact one or more major life activities. The ODS then notifies housing if an accommodation is supported, and what the accommodation(s) may be. The information shared with housing includes the student’s name, ID number and the accommodation(s) they are to receive access to.
- The ODS has no role to play in specific hall assignments, only the features needed. Some accommodations we can provide may include access to a first floor or elevator access, a strobe fire alarm for individuals with hearing loss or the opportunity to have a support animal reside with them.
Please note: Residential Life Accommodations can take up to 60 days after a request is made and documentation is submitted.
Step 1: The student will need to provide documentation from a current treating healthcare provider.
Step 2: The request and documentation will be reviewed by the Office of Disability Services staff.
Step 3: A determination is made by the Office of Disability Services staff.
Step 4: Notification of determination: Students can expect electronic notification of determination within 60 days of submitting their application and their provider documentation is received.
If your request is approved, you will be contacted by Residential Life staff for next steps.
If your request is not approved, you can reapply if information was incomplete. If you wish to appeal the decision, you can follow our grievance process found on the Office of Disability Services website.
Non-service assistance animals in housing requests please note:
Please be aware that documentation provided by online verification services and other providers with whom you do not have an ongoing therapeutic relationship will rarely provide the information necessary to support your request.
Also note, there is NO state or federal entity that requires an assistance animal to be registered. Registering an animal with an entity is not proof or your animal’s eligibility nor helpful in getting a request for a non-service assistance animal approved.
