DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION

Students hanging out in the Fairhaven complex courtyard

Requesting Accommodation

Students requesting housing accommodations in University Residences should complete both a Housing application and a request with the Disability Access Center (DAC). Requests should adhere to housing deadlines and priority dates. 

  • University Residences works in partnership with DAC to provide accommodations that meet individual student needs.
  • The DAC reviews accommodation requests on a case-by-case basis. For more information on receiving accommodations, contact the Disability Access Center.
  • Accommodations are subject to space availability and cannot be guaranteed.

Example Housing Accommodations

Single Room Options

Wheelchair Accessible Room and Bath

Furniture Adjustments

Room Equipped with a Visual Fire Alert

Special Bathroom Needs

Medical Related Dietary Consult

Early Arrival

Housing with a Service Animal or ESA

More options may be available depending on your needs.

Timeline for Disability Accommodation

University Residences recommends that students looking for housing accommodations apply for a DAC accommodation and submit a housing application as soon as possible. There are limited rooms available for accommodations, and the DAC can experience wait times for approval.

Overview:

  • DAC review can take 2-4 weeks
  • The priority application period for housing is Feb 1-May 1
  • Students will gain access to Room Selection once they confirm housing with the $250 prepayment
  • Deadline to confirm and select a room is June 30

The DAC will inform University Residences of approved accommodations.

Your approved housing accommodation will automatically carry over to the next academic year. Review the returning resident FAQ for more.

The housing application opens Feb 1. It is recommended that you start this process as soon as possible.

Step-By-Step Process for Housing Accommodation

Step 1: Apply for DAC Accommodation

You may apply for housing accommodations with the Disability Access Center (DAC) as soon as you are admitted to Western. You can submit a request for accommodation before applying for housing.

DAC engages in an interactive process with students to address any barriers that may prevent a successful housing experience. Please allow two to four weeks for this step, which may include DAC scheduling appointments, reviewing medical documentation, and coordinating any necessary follow-up with the student or their healthcare provider.

The DAC will notify the student of approved accommodations.

Requests submitted after fall quarter housing deadlines and any requests made for winter/spring quarters will be on a space available basis, and you may be added to a waitlist.

Step 2: Apply for Housing 

You may apply for housing any time during the priority application period (Feb 1-May 1). This process includes:

  • Submitting an application via the MyHousing portal
  • Confirming housing with the $250 prepayment
  • Browsing for potential roommates
  • Browsing and selecting a room 

Visit Housing Timeline for more information.

Room Selection runs on a first-come basis, meaning students who apply and confirm sooner will have more room options to choose from.

Step 3: Housing Assignments

University Residences will assist students in finding housing consistent with their DAC-approved accommodations. 

Once students have confirmed housing with the $250 prepayment, they will gain access to Roommate Finder and Room Selection. 

  • Students can use filters (ex. single room, wheelchair accessible) while browsing rooms to help find what they're looking for.
  • The deadline to select a room is June 30.

Housing will reach out via email/phone to assist students with finding a room that meets their needs. Please be aware that room availability will change throughout the room selection period. Housing will continue to monitor and work with students as rooms become available that meet their needs. 

Due to limited availability, not all student accommodations will be met. Students whose accommodations are not met will go on a priority waitlist for transferring rooms if a space that meets their needs becomes available.

Service Animals and ESAs

For more information regarding service animals or emotional support animals (ESAs) in University Residences, please refer to the Community Standards Animals in Residence section, and the Disability Accommodations section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Current Housing Accommodations: If you have approved housing accommodations this year (like a single room), your accommodation will remain on file for your second year on campus—you don't need to submit another DAC request. You'll follow the same housing timeline, so be sure to apply for housing during the application period (Feb 1-May 1). Due to availability, there is no guarantee you will be able to select the same room for the upcoming year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email housing@wwu.edu. If you need to update your housing accommodations, please contact your DAC access manager. 

New Housing Accommodations: If you need housing accommodations, complete the accommodation process with the Disability Access Center as soon as possible and follow the information on this page. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your housing assignment, please email housing@wwu.edu. If you need to update your accommodations, please contact your DAC access manager.

Due to limited availability, we unfortunately cannot guarantee all housing accommodations will be met. We strongly encourage students to complete the DAC request for an accommodation AND the housing application as soon as possible. Room selection runs on a first-come basis, meaning students who apply and confirm housing sooner will have more room options.

Students whose accommodations are not met will go on a priority waitlist for transferring rooms if a space that meets their needs becomes available.

Students who are unable to find a space that meets their accommodations will go on a priority waitlist. If a space that meets their needs becomes available, Housing will work with the student to transfer into that room. There is no set timeline for this process as it is dependent on space availability.

Disability Accommodations Policy

Legal Obligation

University Residences adheres to the University's Accommodating Persons with Disabilities policy (POL-U1600.03), which is in compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-11) and 45 C.F.R. Part 84; Fair Housing Act of 1968 42 U.S.C. Sec. 3601 et seq., Chapter 49.60 RCW; and Chapter 288.20 RCW.

Disability Accommodation Commitment

University Residences recognizes the importance of providing reasonable accommodations in its policies and practices and is committed to supporting the University's educational purpose and mission. University Residences work in partnership with the Disability Access Center (DAC) to provide comparable, convenient, and accessible housing to students with disabilities, without charging higher room rates for a DAC approved disability accommodation.