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Getting Started with Disability Accommodations

To receive disability accommodations for the first time at American University, you must register with the Academic Support and Access Center by submitting documentation and completing the three-step process outlined below.

The Three-Step Process

  1. Complete the relevant accommodation application(s) located in the ASAC Accommodation Application Center.
  2. Submit documentation of your disability. For more documentation information, click on the “Documentation Guidelines and Functional Impact Forms” heading at the bottom of this webpage.  Documentation should be uploaded directly to the accommodation application.
  3. After Steps One and Two are complete, you will be assigned a Disability Access Advisor (DAA) who will review your application and documentation. Documentation review typically takes 1-2 weeks; however, review may be longer during high volume times. After your DAA reviews all your application materials, they will contact you at your AU student email to schedule your intake appointment or request additional materials.

Steps 1 & 2 should be completed by the respective priority deadlines. A confirmation email will be sent to the student upon successful submission of Steps 1 & 2. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact our office ASAP. Documentation submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in a timely fashion, but accommodation decision-making and implementation cannot be guaranteed by the beginning of the semester.

Once Steps 1 & 2 have been completed, the student will be notified by an ASAC Disability Access Advisor regarding the decision. If accommodations are approved, the decision is provisional pending completion of Step 3. Step 3 should be completed during the first few weeks of the semester. Please note, if additional documentation/information is needed students will be contacted by a Disability Access Advisor at their AU student email.

Review of documentation typically takes 1-2 weeks; however, review may be longer during high volume times, such as the summer months.

If you have a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities, you may be eligible for disability-related accommodations. To determine eligibility, we will need, from an appropriate, licensed health care professional, comprehensive and relevant documentation that explains the impact of your disability and makes a recommendation for accommodation.

The links below include documentation guidelines and Functional Impact Forms. Your provider can fill out the fillable Functional Impact Form. Alternatively, they may write a letter that includes the information outlined in the documentation guidelines. A provider letter must be written on official letterhead and be signed with their credentials and license number.

Which form do I submit?

Severe and Chronic Medical Conditions- Documentation Guidelines and Functional Impact Form (FIF)
Example Diagnoses: Autoimmune Diseases (Celiac Disease, Crohn’s Disease), Concussions, Migraines, Post-Concussive Syndrome, Physical and Orthopedic Disabilities, etc.

Sensory Conditions- Documentation Guidelines and Functional Impact Form (FIF)
Example Diagnoses: Deafness, Blindness, Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment 

Psychological Disabilities- Documentation Guidelines and Functional Impact Form (FIF)
Example Diagnoses: Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Sleep Disorders, Developmental Disabilities (Autism Spectrum Disorder), etc.

Learning Disabilities- Documentation Guidelines
Example Diagnoses: Learning Disabilities, Auditory Processing Disorder, Specific Learning Disorder in Reading, etc.
 
Allergies- Documentation Guidelines and Functional Impact Form (FIF)
Example Diagnoses: Environmental Allergies (Dust, Mold, Pollen etc.), Food Allergies (Peanuts, Shellfish, etc.)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)- Documentation Guidelines and Functional Impact Form (FIF)
Example Diagnosis: ADHD

To request temporary accommodations (e.g., for an injury), complete the Temporary Accommodation Application found in the ASAC Accommodation Application Center. Please include documentation related to your injury. Then call the Academic Support and Access Center (ASAC) at 202-885-3360 to schedule an appointment with a Disability Access Advisor (DAA).

If you wish to request disability-related housing accommodations, you must:

  1. Submit the Housing Accommodation Application, and
  2. Submit documentation that specifically addresses the disability-related housing accommodation being requested. Documentation guidelines can be found here. Documentation should be uploaded directly to the accommodation application.
  3. Meet with a member of the ASAC Disability team. You will be contacted by the ASAC when you are ready for this step.
  4. Participate in the general housing application process through Housing and Residence Life (HRL) and meet all HRL deadlines.

If you wish to request disability-related dining accommodations, you must:

  1. Submit the Dining Accommodation Application
  2. Submit documentation that specifically addresses the disability-related dining accommodation being requested. Documentation guidelines can be found here. Documentation should be uploaded directly to the accommodation application.
  3. Meet with a member of the ASAC Disability team. You will be contacted by the ASAC when you are ready for this step.

Emotional Support Animals may be approved as a disability-related housing accommodation with appropriate documentation, specifically a letter from a licensed professional who is familiar with your disability and explains why the animal is necessary for you to live in a residence hall. Detailed information about this process and guidelines for the documentation needed to support your request can be found at: Animals on Campus. Documents certifying the animal as an Emotional Support Animal are not sufficient to support such requests.

If you use a service animal (a dog or miniature horse trained to perform specific tasks related to your disability), we encourage you to register the presence of your animal, but registering a service animal is not required.

To request disability-related accommodations for this test, complete the Math Placement Exam accommodation application in the ASAC Accommodation Application Center.

General information about the Math Placement Test can be found here on the Math & Stat Department website.

Priority Deadlines

Missing a priority deadline does not make you ineligible for receiving accommodations; the ASAC will make every effort to review and implement approved accommodations outside of the priority deadlines; however, reasonable accommodation implementation may not occur until the subsequent semester.

Academic Priority Deadlines*
For Fall 2024 – July 1, 2024
For Spring 2025 – December 2, 2024
For Summer 2025 – April 1, 2025

Housing Priority Deadlines for Spring 2025**
Continuing Students – November 15, 2024
New First Year Students and New Transfer Students (Spring 2025 admits) – December 2, 2024

*Deadlines associated with traditional academic calendar. Students enrolling in programs with alternate calendars should submit their documentation for review upon paying enrollment deposit. 

**Students must deposit to AU before consideration of a housing accommodation request.