Salve Regina provides housing and other non-academic accommodations to students with disabilities who require it for equal access to University housing and housing services.
The ADA defines a disability as a "physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities." Eligibility for accommodations is determined individually and is based on documentation received from certifying professionals as well as other current or past relevant information. To be approved, accommodations must be determined to be both necessary for access and reasonable within the context of existing University regulations and policies.
Students who need academic adjustments in addition to housing accommodations must register with Disability Services. For more information, contact the office at (401) 341-3150 or disabilityservices@salve.edu.
Guidelines for Application and Approval
Step 1. Students (not parents) must complete and submit the housing accommodations form. Please note: Emotional support animals require a separate application in addition to the housing accommodation request form.
Step 2. Submit documentation of the condition for which accommodations are requested. Documentation must be recent enough to accurately describe the student's functioning in the area for which accommodations are sought at the time of entrance to college.
Students must submit either A or B below:
A. Existing medical or other (such as psychological) documentation of the condition for which accommodations are sought. Documentation is only seen and reviewed by professionals directly involved in the determination and provision of disability accommodations. All documentation is protected by both FERPA and HIPPA laws, is considered part of the student's record, and is held in a locked and secure location.
Documentation must include all the following, or their equivalent:
- A medical diagnosis directly connected to the condition for which accommodations are sought.
- The name, credentials and contact information of the professional who either diagnosed, or is current and primary treating professional, for the condition.
- The method and date(s) of diagnosis (such as psychoeducational test battery, medical test results).
- A description of the functional/limiting impact of the condition on one or more major life activities, including living and learning at the University.
- A statement of the severity and stability of the condition over time, and potential fluctuations.
- Description of treatment, treatment plan and current pharmaceutical prescription(s).
- Recommendations for housing and/or housing elements (including adjustments to food service) deemed necessary for access to University housing services.
B. Certifying professional form completed in its entirety by a qualified certifying professional.
Step 3. Once all materials have been received, a committee of professionals from Disability Services, Residence Life, Health Services and Counseling Services makes a determination of eligibility for housing accommodations based on ADA criteria, the documentation provided and other relevant information.
Step 4. The Office of Residence Life notifies the student of the outcome of the committee's review. This outcome may take one the following forms: approved as requested, approved with modifications or denied with reasons provided.
Step 5. If approved either as requested or in modified form, the Office of Residence Life will determine the student's room assignment based on the student's disability access needs, their year in school, special living and learning communities involved, and available housing inventory.
Appeals and/or Grievances
If a student disagrees with an accommodation decision and believes the decision was made improperly, without vital information or was biased, the student has the right to request an appeal.