Application for Housing Accommodations under the ADA 

Deadline for Submission: March 31, 2006

Wesleyan University is committed to supporting all students in their academic and co-curricular endeavors. The Office of the Dean of the College provides a range of support services, including support for students with learning and physical disabilities. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states: “No otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States…shall solely by reason of his handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) extends some of these provisions. We are writing to explain how, under Section 504 and the ADA, entering Wesleyan students with documented disabilities can obtain reasonable accommodations.

 First and foremost, a student who would like to request 504/ADA accommodations must provide current documentation of the disability and the appropriate accommodation. Though reporting formats vary, the following information and data are needed: 

• a clear statement of the diagnosed disability;

• a complete educational, developmental and medical history relevant to the disability;

• a list of the names and versions of the diagnostic tests administered to determine disability, and an analysis or interpretation of the test results;

• a diagnostic summary with a brief composite of the entire assessment process, description of the functional limitations, and indication of how the student’s disability will affect participation in   college courses, activities, and the residential experience;

• recommended strategies to assist the student with becoming an efficient learner, and recommended accommodations that are appropriate for the disability; and

• the dates of the examination (must be current, with adult-referenced norms), along with the examiner’s name, address, telephone number, and credentials with the signature of an evaluator qualified to make the diagnosis.

 Upon receipt of your documentation, we will review it in consultation with the Office of Behavioral Health for Students or Health Services, as appropriate, to assess your request for accommodations.

 Once you have arrived on campus, please make an appointment during the first few weeks of the semester to discuss your needs and concerns. The purpose of the meeting is to review your documentation, discuss your disability in the context of your academic work for the semester and, at your request, assist you with arranging appropriate accommodations with your instructors. 

 To help us meet your needs, please mail your documentation as soon as possible to one of the addresses below, depending on the nature of your disability. Please note that if you expect accommodations to be in place for the first semester, we must be in receipt of your documentation prior to your arrival on campus. 

Although students may choose not to seek accommodations, we encourage you to talk with us to learn about your options.  If you have questions or need additional information, please contact us at any time.