Policies and Procedures

Housing Accommodations Policy & Procedure

Policy

The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) works collaboratively with the Department of Residential Life (DRL) in order to provide housing accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. By federal law, a person with a disability is any person who: 1) has a physical or mental impairment; 2) has a record of such impairment; or 3) is regarded has having such an impairment, which substantially limits one or more major life activities such as self-care, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, or learning.

Reasonable accommodations depend upon the nature and degree of severity of the documented disability. While the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires that priority consideration be given to the specific methods requested by the student, it does not imply that a particular accommodation must be granted if it is deemed not reasonable and other suitable techniques are available. Please be advised that single rooms are reserved for individuals who document substantial needs and for whom living with a roommate is not viable.

Procedure and Student Responsibilities

• Students requesting housing accommodations should come to the CSD and fill out a brief student information packet. The CSD is located in 204 Wilbur Cross.
  • Please note that you are still required to complete any applications for DRL.
  • Students must also comply with any DRL deadlines, for example - deadline for DRL housing application, deadline for room deposit, etc.
• Students must present appropriate medical documentation to the CSD, which establishes the need for an accommodation and relates the current impact of the condition to the requested accommodation.
• Documentation can be hand-carried, faxed to the CSD at (860) 486-4412, or mailed to 233 Glenbrook Rd., Unit 4174, Storrs, CT 06269-4174.

Guidelines for Medical Documentation

Documentation consists of an evaluation by an appropriate professional that relates the current impact of the condition to the request. The diagnostician must be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student. Documentation should include:

• A diagnostic statement including the date of the most recent evaluation;
• The current impact of (or limitations imposed by) the condition;
• Treatments, medications, devices or services currently prescribed or used to mitigate the impact of the condition; and
• The expected duration, stability or progression of the condition.

In addition to the basic documentation for a condition listed above, recommendations from the treating professional are welcome and will be given consideration in evaluating a request. However, final determination regarding an accommodation will be made by the CSD. Recommendations should:

• Provide a clear description of the recommended housing accommodation;
• Explain how the recommended accommodation will mitigate the condition;
• Include possible alternatives to the recommended accommodation; and
• Include a statement of the level of need for (or consequences of not receiving) the recommended accommodation.

Once appropriate documentation is received, the CSD will review the request. If approved for an accommodation, the CSD will work with Residential Life and make an assignment.