Housing Accommodations Information

Disability Support Services (DSS) works in collaboration with Housing and Residential Engagement (HRE) to coordinate appropriate accommodations for students with documented disabilities or health conditions. Please note, DSS reviews housing requests and approves accommodations as needed. DSS Housing accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis and are determined by the nature of the student’s disability and the functional impact it has within the campus living environment. DSS does not have the authority to prioritize students on housing waitlists. Approval of housing accommodations does not guarantee housing placement and is contingent upon a student’s standing within Housing and Residential Engagement.  

Steps for New Students

1. Complete your University Housing application. You should not send University Housing any medical documentation.
2. Register with Disability Support Services (DSS). Submit any available disability documentation. Include housing accommodations interest on your application and what accommodations you are seeking.
3. Schedule a New Student Appointment to meet with DSS Disability Management Specialist to discuss your Accommodations Request. 

Returning Students: Please contact your assigned Disability Management Specialist to request a referral for a Housing Accommodations Consultation.  

Neither the presence of a disability nor approval for a housing accommodation guarantees on-campus housing or a specific roommate.
DSS does not have the authority to prioritize students on the HRE waitlist.

Because on-campus housing is in high demand, DSS strongly encourages students to submit their housing applications as early as possible. If you are unable to secure on-campus housing, you may consider nearby Student Housing options. Please visit the HRE Off Campus Housing Marketplace website for additional resources.

General Housing Accommodations Examples

• Accessible Technology (Emergency)
• Dining Hall Accommodations
• ESA in Residence
• Ground Floor Room
• Medical Singles
• Roll-in showers
• Semi-private bathroom
• Stability Equipment Installation
• Wheelchair Accessible Room 

Dining Accommodations

Typically, only in situations where Titan Dining cannot reasonably accommodate a student’s documented disability-related needs will a release from the meal plan requirement be considered reasonable accommodation.

Before requesting a dining accommodation, students should begin with a conversation with Titan Eats and the Executive Chef to discuss their dietary needs. Additional information about Titan Eats can be found on the TITANEats website. If Titan Eats is unable to accommodate a student’s disability-related needs, they will advise the student to begin the DSS Accommodation process. Titan Eats and DSS will consult regarding your dining accommodation requests. 

Existing support from Titan Dining includes:  
Pure Eats: The Titan Dining Hall offers an allergen-friendly station (Pure Eats), with menu items that are made without the top 9 major allergens or gluten 

Wellness and Special Diets 

Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Accommodations

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that is not trained to perform specific tasks directly related to an individual's disability but does provide emotional support which alleviates one or more identified symptoms or effects of a person's disability. An emotional support animal may also be referred to as an assistance animal, a comfort animal or a therapy animal. An emotional support animal is not restricted by species like a service animal. An emotional support animal must have current vaccinations, be under control and be maintained in a manner that considers the health and hygiene of the animal and those who come in contact with the animal. Dogs and cats, for example, must be housebroken and well-groomed. Emotional support animals must also meet additional requirements as specified in an approval allowing the emotional support animal in university housing. Emotional support animals are not protected by the ADA. 

ESA Process 

Students can begin the ESA process during their New Student Appointment with their assigned specialist. Returning students who have completed their New Student Appointment can request a University Housing Referral from their assigned specialist. This process is split among two sections. Both sections must be completed before an ESA is allowed on campus.  

Section 1:  Disability Support Services

1. Submit Disability Documentation according to the Policy on Service and Emotional Support Animals for Students on Campus.
   1. All students requesting an ESA accommodation must submit:
      1. Request for Emotional Support Animal in Student Housing
      2. Request for Emotional Support Animal Information
2. Documentation will be reviewed and verified with medical provider.
3. Upon verification and approval, HRE notification will be submitted. 

Section 2: Housing and Residential Engagement

1. Complete the Emotional Support Animal Housing Agreement (MOU).  
   1. Students approved for an ESA must meet with HRE annually to review and sign their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for safety, removal, and damage policies.
2. Students approved for an ESA must additionally submit and update the following
   1. Full color photo of the animal
   2. Vaccine records

When (and if) you are assigned on campus housing, your approved accommodation can be applied to your assigned housing placement. ESA approval does not impact specific housing assignment. 

ESA Documentation Guidelines: 
There are a growing number of questionable website services that offer to create “ESA letters” for a set price, based on nothing more than answers to an online survey. Such letters will rarely provide the information necessary to support your request for accommodation and are not viewed by DSS as a reliable source of information. Should you wish to submit a supplemental medical or mental health professional letter, they must meet the following guidelines.

• An original letter that must be submitted on official letterhead from a licensed medical or mental health professional in the state of California and establishes a client-provider relationship with the individual for at least 30 days prior to providing the documentation.
• The provider's professional opinion that the condition qualifies as a disability (i.e., a physical or mental impairment which limits a major life activity).
• The provider's opinion that the emotional support animal has been prescribed for treatment purposes to mitigate symptoms associated with the condition and how the animal provides this support. In addition, this specific treatment is necessary to mitigate symptoms associated with the condition in order to have a reasonable accommodation to use and enjoy housing services. 

What is the purpose of housing accommodations?

Housing accommodations are intended to provide equal access for students with disabilities. Requests based on personal preference cannot be approved.

How does Disability Services determine what housing accommodations I receive?  

Housing accommodations are based on medical evidence of need and are determined on a case-by-case basis. Documentation should provide information about the specific functional limitations caused by the disability. Any recommendations should be directly linked to the impact or functional limitations associated with the disability, or medication prescribed to control symptoms and include a clear rationale based on level of impairment. While recommendations about specific accommodations from medical providers will be taken into consideration, Disability Support Services determines what housing accommodations are necessary to provide equal access. We strongly recommend medical providers complete our Housing - Disability Verification Form, as it contains additional information not often addressed in a typical doctor's note.

Why was my housing accommodation denied?  

There can be various reasons your housing accommodation request was denied. Some of the most common are:

• The documentation does not support a substantial limitation of major life activity.
• The disability-related need does not require an alteration to the living environment.
• There is a more reasonable/alternate accommodation available.
• The requested accommodation is not a reasonable expectation given the shared facilities, resources, and number of people living under one roof. 

Can I request a specific room assignment with DSS? 

No. Disability Services does not handle housing assignments and will not request specific residence halls or room location for students. Our office works with HRE to identify reasonable and appropriate accommodations based on disability-related needs only and they may be located in various placed across university housing. DSS does not accommodate personal preferences.

Can I request a specific roommate with DSS? 

No. Disability Services is not involved in the process of assigning roommates. Students may work with Housing to request specific roommates.

Can I request a single room? 

A limited number of single rooms in shared apartments are available for all students. Students who prefer to be in a single room can contact Housing and Residential Engagement about the availability of such rooms and the eligibility requirements.

Please be advised that DSS only will provide a medical single room as an accommodation. Those spaces are reserved for individuals who document substantial needs and for whom living with a roommate is not possible. Examples of conditions that are assessed and generally do not warrant a medical single: 

• Asthma 
• Allergies 
• Developmental Disability/ASD
• Learning Disorders / ADHD 
• Insomnia and sleep problems 
• Orthopedic problems 
• Depression 
• Anxiety 

*All requests will be individually assessed and reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

While the thought of having a roommate is often stressful for students, this distress does not generally warrant placing the student in a medical single as an accommodation.

Requests for a single room as an accommodation based solely on a desire to have a “quiet, undisturbed place to study or decompress” will not be granted. By virtue of the shared facilities, resources, and number of people living under one roof, it is not reasonable to assume that having a private room would provide a quiet, distraction-free space to any appreciable degree beyond living in a standard double room. Alternative options and spaces in Housing and Residential Engagement and within Cal State Fullerton can assist with quiet and private spaces as needed.

Waitlist 

DSS does not have the authority to prioritize students on the HRE waitlist. 

Other Accommodations 

HRE accommodations not listed can be explored during the interactive process with DSS. In addition, campus resources and supports, and coaching on successfully transitioning into a shared living environment will also be discussed. Keep in mind that making arrangements early ensures that we can assist you and answer any questions in a timely manner.