Housing Accommodations

Reminder: Fall 2027 Housing Accommodations for returning students are due to OALA on November 6, 2026.

Requests received after this date will still be reviewed on a rolling basis, however, housing options may be significantly limited once assignments have been made. Approval of a housing accommodation does not guarantee that a particular room type or housing configuration will be available at the time of approval.

Baylor University is committed to the full participation of students with disabilities in all aspects of college life, including residential life. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Fair Housing Act, the Office of Access and Learning Accommodation (OALA), in collaboration with Campus Living & Learning, coordinates reasonable housing accommodations for students with disabilities who encounter disability-related barriers within the residential environment.

Housing accommodations are determined through an individualized review of the student's disability-related functional limitations, the barrier presented in the residential environment, and the accommodation necessary to provide equal access to and use of Baylor university housing.

Requesting a Housing Accommodation

Students who are not currently registered with OALA should submit an application for accommodations and identify that they are requesting a housing accommodation.

Students who are already registered with OALA should contact their assigned Accommodation Specialist to request a housing accommodation. Students who do not know their Accommodation Specialist may contact OALA@baylor.edu.

Students requesting a housing accommodation must also complete all applicable Campus Living & Learning housing applications, contracts, and other required housing processes. A student must secure campus housing in order to be considered for an OALA accommodation. A request for a disability-related housing accommodation does not replace the regular housing application process.

Students are strongly encouraged to request housing accommodations as soon as they become aware of a disability-related housing need and before all applicable OALA and Campus Living & Learning deadlines. New incoming students may begin the OALA accommodation process once they have paid the required Baylor deposit. This step confirms the student’s intent to enroll and allows OALA to review accommodation requests for students who are entering Baylor rather than for prospective applicants who have not yet committed to attend.

How Housing Accommodation Requests Are Evaluated

OALA reviews housing accommodation requests individually to determine whether:

the student has a disability
the disability creates a functional limitation relevant to the residential environment
the limitation creates a specific barrier to the student's equal access to or use of university housing
the requested housing accommodation is necessary to address that barrier.

When the disability or the relationship between the disability and the requested accommodation is not readily apparent, OALA may request reliable supporting information sufficient to evaluate the request.

A diagnosis or provider recommendation alone does not automatically establish the necessity of a particular housing accommodation. OALA considers the functional relationship between the student's disability, the identified residential barrier, and the accommodation being requested.

If the information available is not sufficient to make a determination, OALA will notify the student of any additional or more specific information needed to complete the review.

Housing Accommodations Are Based on Disability-Related Need

Housing accommodations are based on disability-related necessity rather than housing preference or convenience.

A preference for reduced distraction, quiet study space, additional privacy, a particular routine or schedule, a preferred residence hall or location, or a preferred roommate does not, by itself, establish the necessity of a disability-related housing accommodation.

OALA will consider whether the student's disability creates a specific barrier within the residential environment and whether a housing accommodation is necessary to address that barrier. When a student's identified needs can be effectively addressed through academic accommodations, campus study spaces, counseling or student support resources, or other existing Baylor University resources, a particular housing configuration may not be necessary as a disability accommodation.

Approval and Housing Placement

OALA determines whether a student is eligible for a disability-related housing accommodation. Campus Living & Learning coordinates the student's specific housing placement based on the approved accommodation and available residential inventory.

OALA generally approves the housing configuration or feature necessary to address the identified disability-related barrier. Examples may include:

a single-occupancy bedroom
an ADA accessible room
a private or semi-private bathroom
first floor room
semi-private kitchen
another disability-related housing configuration.

OALA approves disability-related housing features and accommodations, not preferences for a particular residence hall, room number, or roommate. Campus Living & Learning may consider a student's community or housing preferences when implementing an approved accommodation, but those preferences cannot be guaranteed.

Approval Does Not Guarantee Housing Inventory

Approval of a housing accommodation establishes the student's disability-related housing need but it does NOT create housing inventory or guarantee that the approved room type or configuration is physically available.

Certain housing configurations, including single rooms, private bathrooms, first floor rooms, and specialized accessible spaces, are limited. Campus Living & Learning will work to implement an approved accommodation using available housing inventory. When the precise approved configuration is not available, Campus Living & Learning will work with the student to explore other housing options.

Submitting a housing accommodation request by the published deadline provides the greatest opportunity for an approved accommodation to be implemented before housing assignments are finalized.

Requests submitted after the deadline will still receive individualized review. However, even when a late request is approved, immediate placement or placement in the approved housing configuration cannot be guaranteed when appropriate space is no longer available.

Annual Housing Accommodation Requests

Returning students must notify their Accommodation Specialist for each academic year in which they are requesting disability-related housing accommodations. Housing assignments, roommates, room configurations, and available residential inventory change from year to year, so approval of a housing accommodation for one academic year does not automatically carry forward to a future housing assignment.

As part of the application process, students must confirm that there is a continuing disability-related need for the requested housing accommodation and identify any changes in their circumstances or accommodation needs.

OALA will determine whether previously submitted supporting information remains sufficient for the new housing request. Students are not automatically required to obtain new medical documentation each year. Depending on the nature of the disability, the requested accommodation, and the information already on file, OALA may be able to rely on previously submitted documentation. Updated or additional information may be requested when:

the student's disability-related functional limitations have changed
the requested housing accommodation has changed
the residential barrier or circumstances relevant to the request have changed
previously submitted information no longer sufficiently establishes the current disability-related need for the requested accommodation.

Even when the disability and requested accommodation remain unchanged, the student must go through the regular housing process each year so OALA can evaluate the request in relation to the student's upcoming residential placement and current housing needs.

Housing Accommodation Decisions

Students will be notified by OALA regarding the outcome of their housing accommodation request.

A determination may:

approve the requested accommodation
approve another accommodation that effectively addresses the identified disability-related barrier
request additional information before a determination can be made
deny the request when the available information does not establish that the requested accommodation is necessary to address a disability-related residential barrier.

If a request is denied, OALA will provide the student with information regarding the basis for the determination and applicable options for review or appeal. Once an accommodation is approved, Campus Living & Learning will coordinate implementation based on the approved accommodation, applicable housing timelines, and available residential inventory.

Emotional Support Animals and Service Animals

Requests involving Emotional Support Animals, assistance animals, or service animals in University housing are subject to additional requirements regarding animals in Baylor residential facilities.

For information regarding Emotional Support Animals, Service Animals, and animals on campus, please visit Animals on Campus and Accommodations.