Housing Requests

Guidelines for Housing Requests Based On Medical, Psychological, or Disability Related Needs

Disability-related housing accommodations provide Walla Walla University (WWU) students access to an inclusive on-campus living experience. In compliance with the Fair Housing Act (FHA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the university provides reasonable housing modifications, specific room placements, and medical housing exemptions to ensure equal access for students with documented physical, psychological, sensory, or medical disabilities.

Students who require these accommodations or a disability-related exemption should make a request for accommodations on Accommodate and submit a completed Disability Information and Verification Form to support their request and specify their disability-related needs. This form can be uploaded in Accommodate by the student, emailed to dss@wallawalla.edu, or faxed to (509) 527-2090.

Approval of housing accommodations is assessed on an individual basis, taking into consideration the nature of the disability or health condition and the reasonableness of the request. Disability Support Services (DSS) collaborates directly with the Office of Housing Services and Residence Life to provide suitable accommodations that meet the specific needs of each student.

After your housing accommodations are approved, Disability Support Services and Residential Life will work together to place you in a space that reasonably accommodates your documented needs. In compliance with federal accessibility laws, we will provide appropriate housing modifications; however, specific residence hall placements are subject to physical facility availability and room layouts.

Requests for single rooms are evaluated based on a documented medical, psychological, or disability-related barrier. Single rooms are not granted for general preferences, such as a desire for a quiet study environment or a personal schedule conflict. Residence halls are inherently designed as communal living spaces, and students seeking a quiet study area for general academic preferences should explore other designated locations across the Walla Walla University Campus. However, if a private living space or specific room environment is medically necessary to mitigate a documented disability barrier, the request will be reviewed through our standard interactive accommodation process.

Medical & Disability-Related Off-Campus Housing Exemptions

If your medical, psychological, or disability-related condition requires you to live off campus entirely, there is no need to file a standard Residential Life housing waiver exemption request. Please apply directly through the Accommodate portal. DSS reviews and issues these independent medical exemptions separate from the general housing application process.

How to Request Housing Accommodations

Indicate your need for accommodations
1. For On-Campus Accommodations: If you plan to live on campus but require specific physical room layouts, features, or physical adjustments, please proceed directly to the Accommodate portal step outlined below to initiate your request.
2. For Off-Campus Medical Exemptions: If you require a release from the on-campus housing requirement due to medical or disability reasons, there is no need to file a standard Residential Life housing exempt request. Please apply directly through the Accommodate portal. DSS reviews and issues these independent medical exemptions separate from the general housing application process.
Submit your request through Accommodate
1. New Students: Submit an initial request for accommodations through the student registration portal.
2. Returning Students: If you are modifying a previous placement or requesting a new style of structural accommodation, submit a supplemental request. This can found in Accommodate under the Accommodation menu.
Provide documentation
1. Once DSS receives your request, they will send you the documentation to send to your provider. Your provider must clearly outline the functional limitations of your condition and explain the specific connection (nexus) between your disability and the requested room layout or off-campus environment.
2. Submit the completed form one of these ways:
  1. Upload: Submit it directly into your active Accommodate portal dashboard under the document tab.
  2. Email: dss@wallawalla.edu
  3. Fax: (509) 527-2090
Schedule a meeting with DSS
1. Once your application and provider documentation are received DSS will contact you to request an appointment time. You will meet with a DSS staff member for an intake consultation to discuss your specific physical and environmental needs.

Request Timeline & Deadlines

Students may submit housing accommodation or medical exemption requests at any time, but accommodations are tied directly to structural facility availability and room layouts.

Submit your request and provider documentation as early as possible to ensure your necessary physical room modifications or housing approvals are in place by your scheduled move-in date.
Response time: Once your request and documentation are complete, DSS aims to respond within 14 business days.

Quarterly Deadlines

To maximize availability and allow adequate planning time, please submit your request and provider documentation by the following priority dates:

Fall: June 15
Winter: October 15
Spring: January 15
Summer: April 15

Note on Late Submissions: Requests received after these priority deadlines will still be reviewed and processed by DSS. However, if specific requested room types (such as wheelchair-accessible layouts or single rooms) are already fully occupied, DSS and Housing will work interactively with the student to provide the next best effective structural or location alternative based on remaining university housing inventory.

For students already receiving housing accommodations, confirm your existing accommodations for the next school year by April 15 via Accommodate. Late requests may result in placement delays or limited structural options. Students wishing to request new accommodations or make changes to their current accommodations will need to provide updated documentation of their disability and the need for the change.

After submitting the documentation, students will be asked to schedule an appointment with the Disability Support Services staff to discuss their needs.

To ensure appropriate physical accommodations are available, new students must contact Disability Support Services by June 15 for Fall Quarter housing requests. Failure to meet these priority planning windows may result in the utilization of temporary or alternative physical layouts while long-term room modifications are coordinated.

Request Limits & Criteria

WWU may deny or modify a specific physical housing accommodation or medical exemption request if:

It creates a significant (undue) financial or administrative burden on university operations.
It fundamentally alters the nature of the university's residential housing program.
It poses a direct threat to others’ safety, health, or property.
It lacks a documented nexus (clear connection) between the disability barrier and the requested housing modification or exemption.

DSS may ask for additional documentation if your disability or the functional limitation behind your specific room request is not readily apparent.

Important Notes

Housing accommodations and medical exemptions are reviewed individually based on your clinical documentation and specific functional needs.
Specific room or building placements are subject to physical layout availability and cannot be strictly guaranteed.
Requests for single rooms will not be approved solely for general quiet study preferences or personal schedules.

Missed the Deadline?

If your request or documentation is submitted after the priority deadlines listed above, DSS may not be able to fulfill the specific room architecture requested in time for the desired quarter due to campus occupancy levels. Accommodate requests and medical exemptions will still be reviewed and implemented as soon as reasonably possible, and alternative options will be explored interactively with the student.

Questions?

If there are any questions regarding documentation, the interactive process, or medical off-campus exemptions, please contact the Disability Support Services Specialist at dss@wallawalla.edu or call the Student Development Center front desk at 509 527-2313.

For more information on standard housing rules and non-medical contract details, please view the WWU Residential Life & Housing Policy.