Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources

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Housing and Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Accommodations

The Center for Accessibility & Disability Resources (CADR) and Residence Life collaborate to provide reasonable housing accommodations that ensure students with disabilities have equal access to university housing. Housing and Emotional Support Animal (ESA) accommodation requests are reviewed through an individualized, interactive process that considers the student’s disability-related needs, functional limitations, supporting documentation, and available housing options. 

The Housing Accommodation Review Team (HART), consisting of representatives from CADR, Residence Life, Facilities, and the Student Health Center, reviews requests on a case-by-case basis. HART meets regularly throughout the academic year to evaluate completed accommodation requests. 

Residence Life accommodations are determined based on documented disability-related needs rather than personal preferences or desired housing assignments. While students may identify specific housing concerns or requests, accommodation decisions are based on whether the requests accommodation is necessary to provide equal access to campus housing and whether it effectively mitigates disability-related barriers. 

Because residence halls vary in design, amenities, and accessibility features, an approved accommodation may be implemented in a residence hall or room configuration different from a student’s preferred location if it appropriately addresses the student’s disability-related needs. 

Students are encouraged to submit housing and ESA accommodation requests as early as possible prior to their anticipated move-in date. Early submission sufficient time for review, documentation collection, and implementation of approved accommodations. 

Students seeking an exemption from the university housing requirement as a disability-related accommodation must submit their request through CADR. Requests for housing exemptions are reviewed using the same individualized process and require documentation demonstrating why available on-campus housing accommodations would not adequately address the student’s disability-related needs. Students seeking an exemption for reasons unrelated to disability should contact Residence Life regarding the housing appeal process. 

Recommended Submission Timeline 

The housing accommodation review process involves collaboration between the student, healthcare provider(s), CADR, Residence Life, and other university partners when appropriate. To allow adequate time for review and implementation, students are encouraged to submit requests by:
  • June 15 for the upcoming Fall semester
  • November 15 for the upcoming Spring semester
Requests submitted after these dates will still be reviewed; however, accommodation implementation may be delayed based on housing availability and the timing of the request.

Housing and ESA Accommodation Request Process

  1. Submit a Housing and/or ESA Accommodation Request through CADR.
  2. Complete the Housing Accommodation Intake Questionnaire.
  3. Submit supporting documentation from a qualified healthcare provider.
  4. Participate in the interactive review process as requested.
  5. The Housing Accommodations Review Team reviews the completed request.
  6. The student is notified of the accommodation decision.
  7. Approved accommodations are coordinated and implemented by Residence Life.
  8. Students may appeal accommodation decisions through the CADR Housing Accommodation Appeal Process.

Housing Accommodation Process Flow Chart

Documentation Requirements

Students requesting housing accommodations or an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) must submit documentation from a qualified licensed healthcare provider who has personal knowledge of the student’s disability or health condition and is acting within the scope of their professional practice.
 
Documentation should support the information provided in the Housing Accommodation Intake Questionnaire and include sufficient information for the Housing Accommodations Review Team to evaluate the request. Documentation should address:
  • The student’s diagnosed disability, health condition, or impairment when relevant.
  • The functional limitations, symptoms, or barriers resulting from the disability that are relevant to the housing environment.
  • The frequency, severity, and expected duration of those limitations when applicable.
  • How the disability-related limitations affect the student’s ability to access, utilize, or participate in university housing.
  • The connection between the requested accommodation and the identified disability-related barriers.
  • For ESA requests, how the animal assists with or mitigates the student’s disability-related symptoms, functional limitations, or barriers.
CADR may request additional information when the submitted documentation does not provide sufficient information to determine the existence of a disability, identify relevant functional limitations, or establish the need for the requested accommodation.

Housing Accommodation Form

Current UWO Students

Students seeking support and/or accommodation should follow the steps below to register and start the interactive process: 

  1. Submit the Accommodation Request Form
  2. Provide Documentation
  3. Schedule Intake Appointment
Start Registration

Future UWO Students

We encourage all prospective students to begin the accommodation request process as early as possible. Early submission is especially important for housing and other non‑academic accommodations, as these often require additional coordination and may have limited availability.

  1. Submit the Accommodation Request Form
  2. Provide Documentation
  3. Schedule an Intake Appointment
Start Registration

Registered Students

Registered CADR students can log into AIM to:

  1. Renew Current Accommodations
  2. Submit Supplemental (additional) Accommodation Request
  3.  Meet with a CADR Advisor
  4. Discuss Disability Resources
  5. Report an Accessibility Concern
Log Into AIM

Center for Accessibility & Disability Resource

Dean of Students Office
Dempsey 125
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Phone: (920) 424-3100

 accessibilitycenter@uwosh.edu

 The Center for Accessibility & Disability Resources

(920) 424-1033
(920) 424-1051

University Police

Emergency: (920) 424-1212
Non-Emergency: (920) 424-1216