Disability Services for Students

Disability Services for Students
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5277 USA
(269) 387-2116

Housing

Specific Housing Accommodation Requests

A student residing in University housing who requires an accommodation for said housing must be registered with Disability Services for Students. Students will need documentation on letterhead from a professional such as a counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or general care practitioner. 

It is the student’s responsibility to request disability-related accommodations.  It is important to know that the number of housing spaces is limited.  While we cannot guarantee all requests can be honored, submitting these requests prior to April 15, will aid in the implementation process. Requests received after April 15 will still be reviewed and fulfilled as able.
 
Students living on campus multiple years must renew housing and/or dining accommodation requests with DSS each academic year.
 

Documentation must state the following: 

  • Diagnoses. 
  • Length of time the student has been working with the professional. 
  • Minimum of three months. 
  • The symptoms that the accommodation specifically alleviates for the student 

When a student pre-registers with the DSS office (link here), documentation should be uploaded. This will be discussed in the following interactive initial meeting with an accommodation specialist.  

Assistance Animal Procedures

A student residing in University housing who requires an assistance or emotional support animal must be registered with Disability Services for Students. Students will need documentation on letterhead from a professional such as a counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or general care practitioner. 

Documentation must state the following: 

  • Diagnoses.
  • Length of time the student has been working with the professional. (Minimum of three months)  
  • The symptoms that the assistance animal alleviates for the student 

Once Disability Services for Students has received the necessary documents, a meeting with an accommodation specialist should be scheduled. For any requests outside the “Animals on Campus Policy†will be brought to the Disability Services for Students Assistance Animal Committee for consideration. 

DSS will provide support of the request to Housing and Residence Life for processing. More information about animals on campus can be found in Western Michigan`s Animals on Campus Policy. 

While a student may qualify for an emotional support animal, Housing and Residence Life has specific processes for the safety of the animal and other residents that include but are not limited to:  

  • Proof of up-to-date vaccination records 

  • Proof of spay/neuter 

  • Proof of recent flea treatment 

  • Other processes specific to the animal could be possible