Disability-Related Housing Accomodations
First Year & Transfer Students
Students with diagnosed disabilities who may need some form of disability-related housing consideration (accessible housing, access to a private bath or kitchen, single room assignment, strobe alarm, etc.) should contact Susan Quinby, Director of the Office of Disability Services (ODS), in 105 Hewitt (squinby@barnard.edu or 212-854-4634) and complete a Disability-Related Housing Request (DRHR).
The request for a disability-related housing accomodation must be submitted in addition to the regular Housing application.
The procedure includes a written personal statement describing the disability and related needs; a clinician's statement certifying the disability using the ODS Disability Documentation Guidelines (DDG); and an interview with Susan Quinby. Please note that the first two items must be completed prior to the meeting with Susan Quinby.
Note: Students who may have received accommodations in the past must re-apply each year to be reconsidered. Previous accommodations are not automatically extended without submitting an updated request for the upcoming academic year.
- 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).
