Housing Accommodations

Housing accommodations are common requests, and the process of working with both Disability Services and Residential Life can be confusing at times. Students must first engage with Disability Services process to receive housing accommodations, and then fully engage with Residential Life’s processes for room selection.

As with other accommodations, housing accommodations from Disability Services are always granted on a case-by-case basis following our interactive review process, which begins when students register with Disability Services. Some housing accommodations that students may seek from DS include, but are not limited to:

• visual alarms for hearing impaired students,
• automatic door openers,
• accessible assignments for students in wheelchairs,
• proximity to bathroom,
• elevator access,
• single room,
• on campus housing eligibility,
• an emotional support animal, aka an assistance animal.

It is important to note that Disability Services grants accommodations based on level of necessity, meaning that not every student who requests an accommodation such as a single room will be eligible to receive this as an accommodation.

Similarly, Residential Life’s ability to facilitate accommodations may be limited by space availability, and therefore being granted an accommodation does not guarantee that a room meeting the student’s requirements will be available at the time of student’s housing selection appointment.

Some students may find that Residential Life cannot adequately meet their housing needs, and may pursue appropriate accommodations through the housing exemption process. Please visit the UMass’ Off Campus Housing Website for alternative living arrangements.