Requests for ADA Accommodations and other Special Requests

Vanderbilt University is a residential campus for undergraduates and the residential experience is understood to be an integral part of a Vanderbilt education. This commitment to residential education is clearly expressed in the University’s residential requirement:

“All unmarried undergraduate students, except those who live with their families in Davidson County, must live in residence halls on campus during the academic year, May session, and Summer sessions. Authorization to live elsewhere is granted at the discretion of the Director of Housing Assignments in special situations or when space is unavailable on campus.” (Student Handbook)

The Office of Housing and Residential Education partners with the Office of Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Disability Services (EAD) / Disability Services Program (DSP) to ensure consistency in evaluating requests for special consideration in housing. Student seeking special consideration due to a documented impairment and who would like to be considered for reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, should contact the Disability Services Program Monday – Friday between 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at 615-322-4705. EAD/DSP will review all requests and share approved student requests with the Office of Housing Assignments. Students with approved requests will be offered a reasonable accommodation that meets the documented and approved need. The EAD/DSP website (http://www.vanderbilt.edu/ead/ds_students.html#a2) provides information for students regarding reasonable accommodations, documentation guidelines and other information about the office.

All students who request special housing due to a medical, psychological or disability impairment must submit full and current documentation to the DSP. The Office of Housing Assignments will not accept any documentation or housing requests regarding a student’s medical, psychological or disability related condition.

If DSP determines that you are eligible for special housing, the Office of Housing Assignments will contact you about your assignment. The Office of Housing Assignments will make every effort to find appropriate and reasonable assignment as recommended by the EAD/DSP.

Key Dates

• January 22, 2013 – First day to submit requests for special consideration to the Office of Disability Services Program for 2013-2014 academic year housing.
• February 11, 2013 – Last day to submit requests for special consideration to the Office of Disability Services Program for 2013-2014 academic year housing.

EAD/DSP will notify students of the status of their requests prior to February 25, 2013. The deadline for students to accept or decline the offered accommodation is March 4, 2013. Late requests will not be considered until after the housing assignment process is complete. If a student with approved medical need turns down the opportunity to live in a space that meets their approved need, the student’s request may be cancelled by the Office of Housing Assignments and the student will need to participate in the housing selection process. Any future request from the student must be reviewed by DSP.