Student Life

Welcome to AU. Here you will find information on various aspects of Student
Life at AU including housing, parking, library resources, and student activities.
If you have questions, please contact the DSS director at benica@american.edu
or 202-885-3315.

Housing

Accessible housing is available in traditional residence halls on the campus. The University also will make reasonable modifications to rooms if currently existing on-campus accommodations are not appropriate to meet the needs of a particular student with a disability. Due to heavy demand for on-campus housing, housing application deadlines must be adhered to. As is the case with all students, students with disabilities whose attendance at the University may depend on the availability of on-campus housing should apply far in advance of the deadline. Also, the earliest possible communication with Residential Life and Housing Services and Disability Support Services is encouraged in cases where it may be necessary for the University to make special room assignments or specific room modifications.

Request for Housing Accommodation Form

Designated accessible parking spaces are available for visitors or members of the American University community with disabilities who have purchased a parking permit or obtained a permit or obtained a temporary permit from Public Safety. Temporary permits are available to persons having temporary disabilities. Medical documentation may be required.

Cars parked in spaces for persons with disabilities or blocking access ramps for persons with disabilities will be ticketed, booted or towed at the owner's expense.

A University shuttle service operates accessible buses regularly from the main campus, WCL campus, Tenley campus and Tenley metro. For more information regarding transportation and shuttle schedules, contact Public Safety's website or call (202) 885-2527.

Bender Library

The Bender Library makes its resources available to all University staff, students and faculty on an equal basis. In an effort to facilitate the library research process for those members of the AU community who have physical or learning disabilities, the library provides a number of services designed to help address their specific needs. To make use of these services, individuals with disabilities should contact the Adaptive Technology Specialist, prior to, or early in, the semester to discuss individual needs. The Adaptive Technology Specialist can be reached at (202) 885-3407.

A brochure (available in alternate format) giving further information about the Bender Library services for patrons with disabilities is available from the reference library. Click here for the library's policy on services for individuals with disabilities.(html)

Washington College of Law Library
The Washington College of Law (WCL) Library is open to any member of the American University community who needs to use the materials found in this library. The Washington College of Law Library also provides services to patrons with disabilities. Further information may be obtained from the Washington College of Law Library by calling (202) 274-4300.

Students with disabilities participate in various student activities such as Bread for the World, Habitat for Humanity, the Leadership Institute, the Disability Compliance Project Team and Disability Awareness Week. Students with disabilities are supported in their efforts to take advantage of the unique learning opportunities that DC has to offer.

• Access to student-sponsored programs, participation in clubs and organizations, and volunteer programs
• Participation in leadership education and training activities

For more information on accessing activities through this office, contact (202) 885-3390.