Disability-Related Housing Accomodations
First Year & Transfer Students
Please know that the deadline for DRHRs for all incoming first-years, transfers, and visiting students was June 15, 2009. The Disability Housing Committee met on July 1, 2009 and most room assignments have already been made by the Office of Residential Life and Housing . Although at this late date there may be few (if any) options available--if you have a newly diagnosed disability and have an emergency disability housing request, please contact ODS immediately at 212-854-4634 to discuss your situation.
Barnard students with diagnosed disabilities who may need some form of housing consideration (accessible housing, access to a private bath, single room assignment, etc.) must contact Susan Quinby, Director of Disability Services, in 105 Hewitt (squinby@barnard.edu or 212-854-4634) and complete a Disability-Related Housing Request (DRHR). The procedure includes a written statement describing the disability and related needs; an in-person interview with Susan Quinby; and the submission of a clinician's statement certifying the disability using the ODS Disability Documentation Guidelines. Requests will be reviewed by the Disability-Related Housing Committee.
Note: Students are required to resubmit their requests for disability-related housing accomodations each academic year.
The request for a disability-related housing accomodation must be submitted in addition to the regular Housing application.
- How does ODS define "disability"?
- Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a disability is defined as "any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities." Please remember that one of the key words here is “substantial.” If you are unsure whether your particular illness or impairment qualifies as a disability, please contact ODS directly, well in advance of the deadline.
- Must I be registered with ODS to apply for disability-related housing?
- Yes. If you have not previously registered with ODS, you must do so when you apply for disability-related housing. All disabled students requesting disability-Related housing consideration must follow the three-step procedure outlined above. ODS often finds that when students come in to discuss their disability-related housing concerns that there may be other types of needs (especially for students with chronic illnesses) for which ODS registration might be helpful in the future.
- What are my housing options if I apply for disability-related housing?
- The Disability-Related Housing Concerns Committee reviews requests for disability-related housing consideration on a case-by-case basis. Accessibility information may be found on each residence hall's webpage at http://barnard.edu/reslife/residencehalls. Room assignments are made based on individual student needs and room availability.
Note: First year students reside in the First-Year-Focus area, which consists of multiple occupancy rooms (doubles, triples, or quads), and participate in the unlimited meal plan. Accomodations granted by the Committee must follow these requirements.- I have a respiratory disability and need air-conditioning. What are my options?
- Central air conditioning is available in Sulzberger Tower, Elliott, Plimpton, and Cathedral Gardens only and is primarily a summer housing feature. Please note that air-conditioning in these locations is usually turned off in early September and is not turned on again until late May.
If you have any questions, please contact Susan Quinby, Director of Disability Services, in 105 Hewitt (squinby@barnard.edu or 212-854-4634).
