Non-Academic Accommodations
ASC works with Housing and Residence Life to support students with disability-related housing needs. The information below provides guidance on common questions related to housing accommodations, Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), dietary accommodations, and housing releases.
While these FAQs offer a helpful starting point, some situations may require additional guidance.
Contact ASC
Email: unoaccessibility@unomaha.edu
Phone: 402.554.2872
Housing Accommodation Eligibility and General Information
Housing accommodations are intended to provide equal access to the campus living environment for students whose disabilities create barriers within university housing. Requests are reviewed on an individualized basis to determine whether a housing adjustment is necessary to address a disability-related need.
Students with documented disabilities or medical conditions may be eligible for housing accommodations when their condition creates a barrier in the campus living environment that requires an adjustment to housing. Housing accommodations are based on disability-related needs and are reviewed through the Accessibility Services Center (ASC).
Housing accommodations are approved to address disability-related barriers and are supported by documentation and an individualized review process. Housing preferences, such as roommate selection, preferred residence halls, building location, or general comfort requests, are not considered accommodations. Concerns that are not disability-related should be addressed through standard Housing and Residence Life (HRL) processes.
Students must submit an accommodation request through ASC, provide appropriate documentation from a qualified treating professional, and participate in an accommodations meeting with an ASC staff member. Documentation should describe the student's condition, how it affects them in the housing environment, and why a housing adjustment is necessary.
Students are encouraged to submit requests as early as possible and before Housing and Residence Life (HRL) deadlines whenever possible. Requests submitted after HRL deadlines will still be reviewed, but available options may be more limited. Students should not wait until receiving a housing assignment to begin the accommodation process, as doing so may reduce the range of available housing options.
No. Approved accommodations are implemented based on availability and the university's ability to meet the student's disability-related needs. While ASC works closely with Housing and Residence Life to identify appropriate solutions, specific room types, buildings, or locations cannot be guaranteed. Once all required documentation and materials have been received, ASC will review the request and communicate next steps as soon as possible.
Requesting Housing Accommodations
Students seeking housing accommodations should begin the process as early as possible to allow sufficient time for review and coordination with Housing and Residence Life (HRL). Requests are reviewed on an individualized basis and require documentation that supports the need for a housing adjustment related to a disability or medical condition.
To request housing accommodations, students must submit an accommodation request through the Accessibility Services Center (ASC), provide appropriate documentation from an appropriate treating professional, and participate in an accommodations meeting with ASC. Documentation should describe the student's condition, how it impacts them in the housing environment, and why a housing adjustment is necessary.
Students are encouraged to submit requests before Housing and Residence Life (HRL) deadlines whenever possible. Requests submitted after HRL deadlines will still be reviewed, but available housing options may be more limited. Students should not wait until receiving a housing assignment to begin the accommodation process, as early requests provide the greatest opportunity to identify appropriate housing solutions.
Review timelines vary depending on when requests and supporting documentation are submitted and whether additional information is needed. Once all required materials have been received, ASC will review the request and communicate next steps as soon as possible.
Housing Assignments, Roommates, and Placements
Housing accommodations are designed to address disability-related needs within the campus living environment. While ASC and Housing and Residence Life (HRL) work together to identify appropriate housing solutions, accommodations are based on documented needs, available housing options, and the university's ability to meet those needs.
Housing accommodations are based on disability-related needs rather than personal preferences. While an approved accommodation may require certain housing features or adjustments, specific residence halls, room types, floors, or locations cannot be guaranteed. Not all residence halls are able to accommodate every housing need.
No. Another person cannot be considered an accommodation. Students who wish to live with a specific roommate should follow the standard Housing and Residence Life roommate selection process. If a housing accommodation conflicts with a roommate preference, the accommodation will take priority, and ASC and HRL cannot guarantee that roommates will remain together.
Students may request housing accommodations at any time, including after receiving a housing assignment. If an accommodation is approved, adjustments will be made based on availability and may require a change in housing placement. If the preferred housing option is unavailable, ASC and HRL will work together to identify the best available alternative that meets the student's approved accommodation needs.
Types of Housing Accommodations
Housing accommodations are individualized and approved based on documented disability-related needs. Depending on a student's circumstances, accommodations may involve adjustments to the housing environment, move-in process, or other aspects of campus living. All requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are subject to availability and the university's ability to meet the approved accommodation.
Examples of housing accommodations may include a single room, air conditioning, early move-in, or other housing-related adjustments that address disability-related barriers. Requests must be supported by appropriate documentation that explains the disability-related need for the accommodation. Approval is not automatic and depends on the individualized review process and available housing options.
Yes. Students may be approved for multiple housing accommodations when supported by documentation and disability-related need. Each accommodation request is evaluated individually to determine whether it is reasonable and necessary to provide equal access to the campus living environment.
Changes, Limitations, and Additional Support
Housing accommodations may need to be reviewed over time as a student's circumstances, housing assignment, or disability-related needs change. Students are encouraged to maintain communication with the Accessibility Services Center (ASC) and Housing and Residence Life (HRL) whenever questions or concerns arise regarding their housing accommodations.
Students should contact ASC if their disability-related needs change after receiving an accommodation. Accommodations may be reviewed and updated as appropriate. If a student changes housing assignments, they should notify both ASC and Housing and Residence Life to ensure approved accommodations continue to be addressed. In some situations, temporary housing accommodations may also be considered based on the student's circumstances and documented need.
Students may request a housing release for medical reasons when supported by appropriate documentation. This process typically requires a Housing Lease Cancellation Request and supporting documentation describing the disability- or medical-related need for the release. Students should contact both Housing and Residence Life and ASC for guidance regarding the process and required documentation.
ASC coordinates accommodations within university housing and cannot provide accommodations for students living off campus. Students who live in private housing should work directly with their landlord or property manager to address accessibility needs. While ASC collaborates with Housing and Residence Life to identify appropriate housing solutions, the university cannot guarantee that every requested housing arrangement or accommodation can be provided due to availability and other housing limitations.
Why might a housing accommodation request be denied, and what if I disagree with the decision?
A request may be denied if the documentation does not support a disability-related need, if the condition does not create a barrier within the housing environment, or if the request is determined to be a preference rather than a disability-related accommodation. Students who disagree with a decision may pursue the applicable grievance or appeal process and should contact ASC for information about next steps.
Questions related to disability accommodations should be directed to ASC. For non-disability-related concerns, including roommate conflicts, housing policies, or residential community issues, students should contact Housing and Residence Life, their Resident Assistant (RA), or their Hall Director.
Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals
Service animals and emotional support animals (ESAs) serve different purposes and are subject to different university policies and legal regulations. Understanding these distinctions can help students determine what approvals may be needed and where animals are permitted on campus.
A service animal is individually trained to perform specific tasks related to a person's disability and is generally permitted in university buildings, classrooms, offices, and other public spaces in accordance with federal law. An emotional support animal provides comfort or emotional support but is not trained to perform disability-related tasks. Because of these differences, service animals and emotional support animals are subject to different access rights and approval processes.
Yes. Students with documented disabilities may request approval for an emotional support animal as a housing accommodation through the Accessibility Services Center (ASC). Emotional support animals are not permitted in classrooms, offices, dining facilities, or other public campus spaces. Students must complete the accommodation process and receive approval before bringing an emotional support animal into university housing. Bringing an ESA into university housing without prior approval may violate university housing policies. Students with questions about service animals, emotional support animals, or the accommodation process should contact ASC.
Dietary Restrictions and Dining Accommodations
UNO recognizes that some students have medical conditions, food allergies, or other disability-related dietary needs that may affect their ability to access campus dining services. Students experiencing barriers related to food access or meal plan participation are encouraged to contact the Accessibility Services Center (ASC) to discuss their circumstances and explore available accommodation options.
Yes. Students with documented disabilities or medical conditions that substantially limit their ability to access standard dining options may be eligible for accommodations. Requests are reviewed on an individualized basis and may involve collaboration between ASC, Housing and Residence Life, and Dining Services to identify reasonable solutions that support equal access to campus dining programs.
Students should contact ASC as early as possible and provide documentation describing their condition, functional limitations, and any dietary needs related to the disability. ASC will review the request through an interactive process and work with relevant campus partners to determine whether accommodations are appropriate based on the student's individual circumstances. Accommodation decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and may vary depending on the nature of the request and available dining options.
