Housing and Residential Communities will consider requests for housing accommodation based on disability or medical need. The requests should be submitted by the deadline and accompanied by documentation from the appropriate medical provider. Submission of a request for accommodation is not a guarantee you will receive the requested accommodation. The information you provide will have no bearing on your general eligibility for housing.
The disability accommodation request should be submitted after completing the housing application through the myHousing portal.
Only one medical accommodation request form is necessary per academic year.
InfoPreference-Based Housing Requests
Requests for particular housing assignments/living environments based on a student’s preference, rather than need, will not be honored. For example, a student with ADHD or anxiety seeking a single room to serve as a quiet, undisturbed place to study likely represents a preference, but not a necessity. Campus offers multiple different locations for quiet study and therefore, our limited single/private room accommodations are reserved for individuals with documented and substantiated needs and for whom a standard housing assignment with a roommate is not viable.
Deadlines
We will accept requests after the deadline but limited space means there may be no way to fulfill a request. Housing accommodations are based on availability.
Requests and documentation will need to be submitted by the following semester deadlines.
Spring Semester
Dec 01
Time 11:59 p.m.
Fall Semester (as a Returning Student)
Feb 01
Time 11:59 p.m.
Fall Semester (as an Incoming First-Year Undergraduate Student)
Apr 01
Time 11:59 p.m.
Housing Accommodations Considered
- Physical attributes/modifications of rooms (addition of grab bars, access needs to room, etc.)
- Assignment considerations due to disability access needs
- Emotional support animal within housing
- Service Animal within housing
- Disability reason for exemption to housing requirement
- Disability reason for cancellation of housing contract
Disability/Medical Accommodations
Students requesting disability/medical accommodations that would affect the physical attributes or placement considerations should follow this process.
Students requesting housing disability/medical accommodations can make the same roommate requests as other students. Incoming first year students can request one preferred roommate. Upper year students can request up to three preferred roommates.
Complete the Initial Inquiry Form
The student begins the process by completing the Disability/Medical Accommodation Inquiry Form. This form notifies HRC of the student’s request and provides basic information about the student’s disability and their needs.
Submit the Medical Accommodation Request Form
The student and medical/clinical provider complete and submit the Medical Accommodation Request Form (PDF).
If a student is requesting exemption to the housing requirement for disability reasons, they will also need to apply for exemption in the myhousing portal.
If a student is requesting cancellation of their housing contract for disability reasons, they will also need to request a contract release request in the myhousing portal.
Housing Accommodation Committee Review
The Housing Accommodation Committee reviews the personal narrative and documentation. If additional information is needed, the Housing Accommodation Specialist may reach out to set up a meeting. Once the review is complete, a decision and next steps are communicated.
Assistance Animals
Animals other than fish are generally not permitted in any UA-owned, leased, or managed housing. Service dogs and approved Emotional Support Animals are not pets and are allowed in UA-owned, leased, or managed housing.
Emotional Support Animals (ESA)
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that provides therapeutic emotional support for an individual with a diagnosed mental health disability. Students requesting an ESA must complete and submit the request as outlined below. Students must provide documentation from an appropriate professional relating to the disability need of an ESA.
Important ESA information:
- Only one ESA will permitted per student in a residence hall
- ESAs are not permitted in dining halls, academic buildings, or any other public controlled spaces on campus
- ESA must be current on vaccinations and have clean bill of health from veterinarian
- ESA must have initial rabies vaccination at least 28 days prior to moving into the residence hall
- Bringing an unapproved animal to campus is a violation of housing regulations and the student will be subject to disciplinary measures (and $200/day fine)
- Application for an ESA can be submitted anytime ESA
- ESA initial request, documentation, vet records, and picture should be submitted at least 30 days prior to planned move in for approval
Service Animals
Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.
Additional Resources Regarding Animals
Learn more about UA’s animal policy, including access rules for controlled and public spaces.
Learn how to plan for emergencies on campus with your animals.
Documentation Guidelines
Documentation must be completed by the treating licensed clinical professional or health care provider thoroughly familiar with the student’s condition and functional limitations and/or restrictions. Recommended health care professionals who can provide medical diagnoses include physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurse practitioners, surgeons, orthopedic or other specialists as appropriate.
Family members through blood, marriage, or other legal arrangement cannot act as the professional or provider.
If a student’s disability is visible or obvious we ask the student to complete the Disability/Medical Accommodation Inquiry Form to let us know what the access needs are. Documentation may not be necessary.
Suggested documentation guidelines if the provider is unable to use the provided form:
Medical Accommodation Request Form
Attributes/Modifications of Rooms and Assignment ConsiderationsSubmit a separate letter or report including answers to all information requested on the Medical Accommodation Request Form (PDF) on letterhead, dated, and signed by the qualified.
ESA Request Form
Submit a separate letter or report including answers to all information requested on the Emotional Support Animal Documentation Form on letterhead, dated, and signed by the qualified professional.
Submitting Documentation
Once completed and signed, submit the form to Housing Accommodation Specialist Jennifer Baker by either faxing it to 205-348-7135 or mailing to Box 870399, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. Only HRC will have access to and utilize this documentation for housing-specific accommodations.
HRC is responsible for determining the acceptability of documentation and reserves the right to require additional information, as needed. HRC also reserves the option of seeking a second professional opinion regarding documentation submitted.
InfoAcademic Accommodations Are Managed Separately
The Office of Disability Services requires additional documentation to determine any necessary academic accommodations. Requests for accommodation through ODS are not the same and do not take the place of requests for accommodation in housing.
Appeals Process
UA recognizes that despite its good faith and reasonable efforts to provide fair accommodations to its policies, practices, and procedures for students with disabilities, students may ultimately disagree with the determination made by HRC. In the event of contention, the student may request a review by UA’s ADA Coordinator. The Vice President of Student Life will review all written appeals of the decision by the ADA coordinator to provide the final institutional review.
Additional Resources
Learn how to request academic accommodations.
Learn how to get assistance with food allergies or food-related disability accommodations through Bama Dining.
Learn more about the Student Health Center and pharmacy for medical care.
Learn more about the Counseling Center’s services.