Accommodations
Your decision to attend UAF is the beginning of an exciting journey, but you may have
questions about how well UAF Residence Life facilities will fit your needs. Some questions
may involve safety, accessibility, and ease of mobility across campus. Helping you
meet those needs is important to us. The Department of Residence Life at UAF is committed
to providing and improving accessible and inviting spaces for our residents.
ķƵ provides comparable, convenient, and accessible housing to students with disabilities.
If you require a reasonable accommodation based on a qualified disability, start the
process by applying for housing and registering with Disability Services to confirm
your qualified disability status. Disability Services then will assist Residence Life
in providing you reasonable accommodation tailored to meet your needs.
Accommodations for disabilities are always determined on an individual basis. UAF
will make reasonable modifications to student housing and its policies, procedures,
and practices for eligible students unless the modification would fundamentally alter
the nature of its housing services.
Below are some examples of accommodations UAF Residence Life has provided:
● Accessible Room: A room on the ground floor with moveable furniture. The door to the room may have an automatic door opener; the room may also have a roll-in shower.
● Accessible Toilet/Sink: A sink that can accommodate a wheelchair; usually no more than 34” in height with minimum cabinet space underneath for knee clearance.
● Remote Control Access: A door equipped with a power-operated mechanism and controls that help to open the door automatically or relieve the opening resistance of a door upon receiving a signal.
● Private Bathroom: A bathroom that is not shared between roommates.
● Modular Bathroom: A bathroom that is shared between two people. This bathroom is enclosed within the living space itself.
● Roll-in Shower (no lip): A shower with no barriers; a wheelchair can easily roll in.
● Strobe Light Fire Alarm: A flash lamp that produces high-intensity, short-duration light pulses that is attached to the fire alarm and used to aid individuals with hearing impairments during emergency situations.
● Ground Floor/First Floor Room: A room that does not require the use of stairs; room has access to the main level.
● Visual Doorbell: A light above the door that will light up when someone is at the door (typically for students with hearing impairments).
● Room with Additional Space for Medical Equipment.
● Substance-Free Environment.
● Private Room: Single room or a double room for a single occupant.
● Service or assistive animal.
This is not an exhaustive list, and we encourage you to contact Disability Services
and Residence Life with specific questions. Approved accommodations provided to students
with qualifying disabilities are not subject to surcharges.
Your best bet: COMMUNICATE EARLY! Although modifications can be made to rooms at any
time, the best plan is to communicate early with Disability Services and Residence
Life about your specific needs. With information from Disability Services and your
assistance, we can look for a space that best meets your needs.
Housing is limited and not guaranteed. An approved housing accommodation does not guarantee a housing assignment. UAF does not discriminate in the provision of housing to students with disabilities.
While many special housing requests relate to reasonable accommodations for qualifying disabilities, additional reasons for special housing requests include cultural or religious beliefs or other needs we have not covered. Students must complete the Exception to Housing Agreement form to make a special housing request based on cultural or religious beliefs or other non-disability-related preferences. The form can be found through your housing portal. Completion of this form is not a guarantee that the request will be approved. Please contact Residence Life if you have any questions.
Dining Plan Exemption or Modification: UAF Dining is committed to offering meal plan options that meet the needs of students on special or restricted diets. Reasonable accommodations are available to eligible students. For more information, please contact Dining Services.
STEP 1: Apply for housing, making sure to indicate that a disability-related accommodation is requested.
STEP 2: Complete the UAF Disability Services Registration Form (/disability/forms/) and provide documentation as required by Disability Services. Please submit your request early to allow time for the determination process.
STEP 3: Once Disability Services determines your eligibility for services, Disability Services and Residence Life will work with you to identify a reasonable accommodation to meet your needs. Additional paperwork may be required.