The following guidelines have been established to accommodate students with disabilities who are requesting accommodations for on campus housing or dining at the University of Texas at Austin.
Disability and Access (D&A) and University Housing and Dining (UHD) work together to ensure students with disabilities have an accessible on campus living experience. See below for more information regarding the process for requesting Housing and Dining Accommodations. D&A and UHD review requests on a case-by-case basis and decisions are based upon documented need. Documentation of a disability does not guarantee that your request will be approved.
This request is only for housing and dining accommodations at UT Austin related to the functional limitations associated with a disability. Additional information will likely be needed before classroom/academic accommodations can be provided. Please contact D&A for additional information.
Housing Accommodations
Indicate your need for housing accommodations on the housing application. Submit the online Request for Housing Accommodations form and have a medical/mental health professional who is familiar with your disability complete supporting documentation (Housing Verification Form or Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Verification Form ). Requests will not be reviewed until the student and appropriate professional have both submitted all requested information to the D&A office.
The UHD Housing Assignment office notifies students of housing assignments and will coordinate any logistical arrangements associated with accommodations that have been recommended by D&A. Please note approval for accommodations does not guarantee on campus housing; students must have an active housing contract before accommodations can be provided.
Students need to re-apply each year for on-campus housing and may need to re-apply for housing and dining accommodations depending on the type of accommodation being requested. Students may be required submit updated, current supporting documentation; D&A will inform students whether their accommodation will need to be updated on an annual basis.
Timeline: Students should not request housing accommodations until they have been admitted to UT. Students must have an active housing contract in order for accommodations to be provided.
Residence Halls: In order to receive priority consideration for accommodations, the accommodation request form and supporting documentation must be received by June 1st for students requesting Housing for the Fall Semester.
University Apartments: Requests and documentation should be submitted no later than 60 days prior to the preferred move-in date. Requests can be submitted any time after a housing application has been submitted but approval will need to be current at time of move in.
Requests made after these deadlines will be subject to the availability of the requested accommodation.
If you are requesting Housing Accommodations, please be sure to note if you will need extra space due to medical equipment/devices, if you will need to bring your own specialized furniture such as a bed or desk chair, if you need any modifications done in the room beyond an accessible room or bathroom (such as lowering/automating lights or modifying the traditional lock and key system), if you will have a service dog or if you will be utilizing a personal care attendant for assistance with activities of daily living.
Dining Accommodations
Students with food allergies and other medically diagnosed conditions may be eligible for dining accommodations. Students should start by reviewing the University Housing and Dining Nutrition Services webpage and talking with the UHD Registered Dietitian, as self-management of your diet may be possible through utilization of existing dining options and resources. To learn about the available dining options for students with special dietary needs, visit http://housing.utexas.edu/dining/nutrition-services or contact the UHD Dietitian directly at dietitian@austin.utexas.edu. Depending on your dining needs you may be asked to submit documentation verifying your disability and need for the requested accommodation. Please note that it is the responsibility of the student to contact the UHD Registered Dietitian prior to signing a Housing Contract to determine if the requested dining accommodation(s) can be provided, as documentation of a disability does not guarantee that your request will be approved.
General Guidelines for Housing Accommodation Requests
Requests will not be reviewed until the student and appropriate professional have both submitted all requested information to the D&A office.
Documentation must be completed and signed by licensed clinical professional or health care provider who is familiar with your disability. The provider completing this form cannot be a relative of the student. The requested documentation will be maintained per FERPA guidelines and will only be utilized to determine the student’s housing or dining accommodation request. D&A will maintain the requested documentation and respect the student’s confidentiality at all times.
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