Requesting Accommodations | OAA

Academic & Housing Accommodations

The purpose of registering/requesting accommodations with the Office of Access & Accommodations (OAA) is to ensure equal access to opportunities for success in your college experience at SU by making sure that reasonable accommodations are determined and implemented appropriately.

Requesting Academic & Housing Accommodations

Students may request accommodations through the Office of Access & Accommodations (OAA) at any time. We encourage students to begin the process as early as possible to allow sufficient time for review, consultation, and coordination of approved accommodations. Incoming students may begin the process once they have been admitted to ��Ƶ and submitted their enrollment deposit.

Please keep in mind:

Accommodations are not retroactive.
Wait times may be longer at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters.
Some accommodations require additional time, planning, or coordination before they can be implemented.
Requests made on short notice will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and implementation timelines may vary depending on the nature of the request and the coordination required.

To request academic or housing accommodations, complete the following steps:

Step 1: Submit application
Complete and submit the online form.
Step 2: Submit documentation
Submit documentation of a disability. Documentation must meet the OAA Documentation Criteria (PDF). Students are strongly encouraged to upload their disability documentation while completing their OAA Student Application. Providers may also complete the appropriate OAA Documentation Form below (in lieu of a letter):
Step 3: Complete required Initial Intake Meeting
An OAA staff member will contact you via email to schedule your Initial Intake Appointment. Please be aware that this is a REQUIRED appointment, as the information obtained is an essential component in the determination of reasonable accommodations and services.

Applications Submitted During Final Exam Week

OAA does not typically conduct Initial Intake Meetings during final exam week. Applications submitted during this time will generally be reviewed for accommodations beginning the following semester. Exceptions may be made for students with a current temporary condition or injury requiring immediate access support.

Housing/Assistance Animal Accommodations

Please be aware of the following deadlines for requests for housing/assistance animal accommodations: March 1st for Returning Students (Fall Contracts), June 1st for Incoming Students (Fall admits), and December 1st for Incoming and Returning Students (Spring contracts/admits).

While students can submit a completed application to request accommodations after the deadline, there is no guarantee that, if approved, the requested accommodation will be provided during the upcoming/current academic year.

Assistance Animals (AA)

According to the Fair Housing Act (FHA), Assistance animals “provide support to individuals with disabilities who have a disability-related need for such support. In order to qualify for an ESA as an accommodation, the animal "must be necessary to afford the individual an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling and/or to participate in the housing service or program.
Service Animals

Are trained to perform a specific task to assist a person with a disability are not required to be registered with the University, and do not require accommodation approval through the OAA. Some students voluntarily choose to register their service animal through the OAA or Campus Housing & Residence Life, so that Facilities is aware of the presence of an animal if routine or emergency entry is needed. Students with questions about services animals should contact the OAA as soon as possible.

Dining Accommodations

To request dining accommodations, please visit the Temporary Accommodations tab on the main menu.

OAA Disability Documentation Criteria

We will collaboratively review and consider all documentation submitted on a case-by-case basis. Documentation of disability will assist the Office of Access & Accommodations (OAA) in understanding the impact of the student’s disability and/or temporary condition in the collegiate academic setting. Documentation submitted should be prepared by a qualified professional. A qualified professional is defined as an individual who is licensed or is a formally recognized expert in the medical, psychological, and/or educational field with the authority to make diagnoses and/or recommendations in their specific field of practice.

There are multiple ways to provide documentation of your disability. Documentation should provide proof of diagnosis and/or prior accommodations. The OAA follows the guidance from the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) on documentation review and accommodation approval. Some examples of documentation of disability include:

IEP/504 plan
Medical records/patient portal diagnostic summary
Letter from a healthcare professional, on letterhead, which confirms a diagnosis.
OAA Medical Documentation Form (PDF) (Must be completed by a qualified professional.)
Accommodation letter from previous postsecondary institution(s)
Full evaluation/diagnostic report (e.g. Achievement Testing: Psychoeducational, Assessment of Information Processing: (Bender-Gestalt Perceptual-Motor Test)

If you have any questions about your documentation, please contact the OAA as soon as possible.

Initial Intake Meeting, What to Expect?

The Initial Intake Meeting is a required step in the OAA accommodation process. It is an interactive conversation between you and an OAA staff member focused on understanding your individual access needs and determining reasonable accommodations.

Before Your Meeting

Incoming students are encouraged to complete their Initial Intake Meeting after registering for classes and, whenever possible, before the semester begins. Current students may begin the accommodation process at any point during the academic year. Initial Intake Meetings may be available in person or virtually.
During Your Meeting
Your OAA staff member will talk with you about your experiences and the disability-related barriers you may encounter in the academic environment. The conversation may include:
- How your disability affects you in the classroom, during exams, when completing assignments, or in other academic settings.
- Accommodations or supports you have used in the past and whether they were effective.
- Strategies you currently use to support your learning and access.
- Accommodations you believe may help address the barriers you experience.
- Any questions or concerns you have about accessing your courses or participating in University programs and activities.
You do not need to have all the answers before your meeting. The purpose of the conversation is to give you an opportunity to describe your experiences so that OAA can better understand your needs.
Determining Accommodations

Determining reasonable accommodations is an interactive and individualized process. Your OAA staff member will consider the information you share during the meeting, your accommodation requests, supporting documentation, and the requirements of the academic environment.

Previous accommodations, including those provided through an IEP or 504 Plan, can provide helpful information but do not automatically transfer to the college setting. OAA will work with you to determine accommodations that are appropriate for the higher education environment.

Some accommodation requests may require additional review or consultation before a final determination can be made. If additional information or time is needed, your OAA staff member will explain the next steps.
Learning How to Use Your Accommodations
Once accommodations are approved, your OAA staff member will explain how to access and use them. This may include:
- Sending Accommodation Letters to your instructors.
- Communicating with instructors about accommodation implementation.
- Using OAA testing services and scheduling exams, when applicable.
- Completing any additional steps required for specific accommodations.
- Requesting accommodations each semester.
You will also have an opportunity to ask questions about your responsibilities and OAA procedures.
Bringing Someone With You

The Initial Intake Meeting is primarily a conversation between you and your OAA staff member. You may choose to have a parent, family member, or other support person attend with you. Because the accommodation process is student-centered, OAA staff will direct the conversation primarily to you.
After Your Meeting

OAA will provide information about your approved accommodations, next steps, and any additional resources that may be helpful. If questions or concerns arise after your meeting—or if your access needs change—you are encouraged to contact OAA for assistance.

Your relationship with OAA does not end after the Initial Intake Meeting. OAA provides a variety of services, programs, and resources to support students throughout their time at ��Ƶ. In addition to coordinating accommodations, OAA offers academic skill-building and support, assistive technology exploration/training, student transition and peer mentoring programs, and referrals and connections to campus resources. Our team also provides ongoing consultation and support as students navigate access-related questions or barriers throughout their university experience.

We encourage you to stay connected with OAA and take advantage of the resources and opportunities available to support your access, engagement, and success at ��Ƶ.

Who do we serve?

The OAA provides accommodations, modifications, and services to students with documented disabilities enrolled in ��Ƶ’s undergraduate, graduate, or regional programs. Such disabilities include but are not limited to, learning, physical/mobility, vision, hearing, chronic health, and mental health diagnoses. The OAA also works with students with some temporary impairments, as appropriate.

FAQs

I don't need to register, the accommodations in my IEP/504 from high school will automatically transfer

Accommodations and services provided under an IEP and 504 do NOT automatically transfer to college. In high school, accommodations and services for students with disabilities are regulated by IDEA ( ). This law places the majority of the responsibility on the school district to identify students with disabilities and to make sure that services which lead to student success are in place.

However, in college and the workforce, accommodations and services for individuals with disabilities are regulated by and the . In college, these two laws place the responsibility on the student to disclose a disability and ask for accommodations.
I don't want my professors to know I have a disability

The Office of Access & Accommodations can't tell professors about your diagnosis or disability without your permission, and even though you may decide to share information with them, professors should never see disability documentation from your doctor or start requesting details about your disability (unless you started the conversation).

������Ƶ