Requesting Housing Accommodations

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) determines reasonable accommodations for campus housing, including dining and assistance animal accommodations. Students with disabilities who have specific needs related to housing must register with the DRC to request housing accommodations. As with all accommodation requests, we engage with students in an individualized process to determine reasonable and appropriate accommodations.

This process/application is specifically for Housing Accommodations. A separate application is required for Academic Accommodations.

How to Request Housing/Dining/Assistance Animal Accommodations

1. Apply through the general admission process, be accepted, and commit to Salisbury University by submitting your deposit. (does not apply to current students)
2. Complete and submit the DRC Housing/Dining/AA Student Application.
3. Submit documentation of disability. Students are strongly encouraged to upload their documentation while completing their DRC Housing/Dining/AA Student Application. Documentation of disability must adhere to the DRC Documentation Criteria. Providers may also complete the appropriate verification form below (in lieu of a letter) if desired.

• Reasonable Accommodation Verification Form for HRL Accomms
• Reasonable Accommodation Verification Form for an Assistance Animal

DRC Disability Documentation Criteria

We will collaboratively review and consider all documentation submitted on a case-by-case basis. Documentation of disability will assist the Disability Resource Center (DRC) in understanding the impact of the student’s disability and/or temporary condition in the collegiate academic setting. Documentation submitted should be prepared by a qualified professional. A qualified professional is defined as an individual who is licensed or is a formally recognized expert in the medical, psychological, and/or educational field with the authority to make diagnoses and/or recommendations in their specific field of practice.

There are multiple ways to provide documentation of your disability. Documentation should provide proof of diagnosis and/or prior accommodations. The DRC follows the guidance from the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) on documentation review and accommodation approval. Some examples of documentation of disability include:

• IEP/504 plan
• Medical records/patient portal diagnostic summary
• Letter from a healthcare professional, on letterhead, which confirms a diagnosis. Providers may also complete the appropriate verification form below (in lieu of the letter), if desired.
  • Reasonable Accommodation Verification Form for HRL Accomms
  • Reasonable Accommodation Verification Form for an Assistance Animal
• DRC Medical Documentation Form (Must be completed by a qualified professional.)
• Accommodation letter from previous postsecondary institution(s)

Interactive Process and Housing Intake

Through an interactive process, DRC staff meet with each student individually for an initial intake appointment to review/discuss request(s) for accommodations/services, strengths, challenges, and the likely impact of your disability on your educational experiences at Salisbury University (SU). The information you provide is an essential component in the determination of reasonable accommodations and services.

In order to receive housing/dining/assistance animal accommodations, you must meet with the DRC for an initial intake appointment. The initial intake is a 60-minute interactive dialogue with DRC staff to discuss your request for accommodations/services, and to provide an overview of the services available to you through the DRC and other campus partners. The goal of the initial intake is to gather the information necessary to ensure equal access through the determination of reasonable accommodations and services.

Assistance Animals (AA)

According to the Fair Housing Act (FHA), Assistance animals “provide support to individuals with disabilities who have a disability-related need for such support. In order to qualify for an ESA as an accommodation, the animal "must be necessary to afford the individual an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling and/or to participate in the housing service or program.

Service Animals

Are trained to perform a specific task to assist a person with a disability are not required to be registered with the University, and do not require accommodation approval through the DRC. Some students voluntarily choose to register their service animal through the DRC or Campus Housing & Residence Life, so that Facilities is aware of the presence of an animal if routine or emergency entry is needed. Students with questions about services animals should contact the DRC as soon as possible.