Disability Services works closely with Residence Life and Campus Dining to ensure students with disabilities have an accessible on-campus living experience. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and decisions are based upon documented need. Documentation of a disability does not guarantee that the request will be approved.

Examples of accommodation requests may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Wheelchair access
  • Private room
  • Private/Semi-private bathroom
  • Flashing fire alarm
  • Braille signage
  • First floor room or elevator access
  • Service animal
  • Emotional support animal

Accommodation Request Procedures

Students needing accommodations for on-campus housing and/or dining, must submit the Disability Services Application after completing their residence hall application and contract. In addition to completing the form, students should also provide documentation that verifies their eligibility as a person with a disability and clearly explains why the requested accommodation is necessary to provide equal access to their living environment. 

Documentation should include the following: 

  • A clear statement of diagnosis for the physical disability or medical condition and understanding of student’s relationship with provider 
  • Approximate onset of diagnosis
  • Assessment procedures and evaluation instruments that have been used to make the diagnosis
  • Description of the symptoms related to the diagnosis that cause significant impairment in a major life activity 
  • Current treatment
  • Severity of symptoms
  • Prognosis of disorder

Emotional Support Animal Requests

Students requesting to bring an emotional support animal (ESA) to live in campus housing must complete the Disability Services Application and submit the Verification Form for Students Requesting Emotional Support Animals to verify their eligibility as a person with a disability and clearly explain why the requested accommodation is necessary to provide equal access to their living environment. The documentation must describe a disabling condition, which is defined by the presence of significant limitations in one or more major life activities. Merely submitting evidence of a diagnosis is not sufficient to support the need for accommodations.

A licensed healthcare provider with experience and expertise in the area related to the student’s disability should provide the documentation. Furthermore, a therapeutic relationship between provider and the student requesting the ESA should be evident. The provider submitting documentation cannot be related to the student.

The verification form should be dated and signed and include the name, title, and professional credentials of the evaluator, including information about license or certification. Disability Services will make the determination regarding whether accommodations are reasonable in the campus environment based on the information provided by the student and the healthcare provider.