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ADA Housing Policy

Process to Request Housing Accommodations

For both undergraduate and graduate students, to request disability-related housing accommodations, please follow the process outlined below:

  1. Submit a general housing application through Starrez.
  2. Complete the OSA registration form and provide diagnostic documentation supporting your housing need from your provider using the Disability Verification Form for Housing.
  3. Schedule a meeting with the OSA Director to discuss your request.

ADA housing accommodations are approved on a case-by-case basis and are dependent upon the nature of the disability or medical condition, as well as the impact and functional limitations in a campus living environment. The OSA works in partnership with the housing and residence life department to provide reasonable and appropriate housing accommodations.

Examples of Housing Accommodations

  • ADA medical single room
  • First-floor housing​
  • Suite-style room
  • Close access to a restroom

Process for Determination of Need

Any request for a disability-related housing accommodation will involve an interactive process between the OSA Director and the student, in consultation with the student’s appropriately licensed medical provider as needed. The following elements will be considered throughout the review process:

  • Nature of the medical condition or disability
  • Resulting functional impact and functional limitations necessitating the requested accommodation(s)
  • Whether there are any alternate accommodations that are equally effective in meeting the student’s identified needs.

All such requests for disability-related accommodations will be determined through an individualized evaluation by the OSA Director, who will consider, in consultation with the Housing Director, all of the information provided during the interactive process.

Housing Accommodations Timeline

Disability-related housing accommodation requests must be submitted to the OSA using their Registration Form. Students must have their provider complete and fax the Disability Verification Form for Housing to the OSA. It is the responsibility of the student with a qualifying need for a housing accommodation to submit their accommodation request(s) to the OSA by the established priority deadlines of July 15th, in order to best ensure receipt of the requested accommodation. Requests received after the priority deadline will be prioritized by level of need and date received and are not guaranteed for the requested term, but may be placed on a waitlist. Requests for disability-related housing accommodation(s) for the fall/spring term must be submitted by July 15th.

Request for a disability-related accommodation(s) will be denied only if the OSA Director determines that: the student is not a qualifying individual with a disability; the disability-related functional limitation does not necessitate the specific accommodation(s) requested; there is an alternative accommodation(s) that is equally effective; or the requested accommodation(s) imposes an undue burden or fundamental alteration of a university service, program or activity.

The OSA Director’s determination for such accommodation requests will be provided within 15 days of the student’s intake appointment.

If a request for accommodation(s) is denied, the student has the right to file an appeal by contacting edmond.e.shepard@biola.edu.