University of California, Merced, ("UC Merced" or the "University") provides reasonable housing accommodations to residents with disabilities. It is a resident's responsibility to make their disability known to the University. Housing accommodations are given consideration upon request and on a case-by-case basis; reasonable accommodations are determined based on documented need. This process is primarily focused on academic year housing.
Requests will be reviewed by Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Accommodation decisions will consider the resident's disability-related need(s) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Fair Housing Act, and other relevant federal, state, and campus regulations. Once accommodations are verified by SAS, housing will determine how to accommodate the student based on the verified need. Accommodations cannot be verified for individuals who did not meet all housing deadlines or are otherwise ineligible to live with Student Housing.
Resident: any student, university employee, family member, or other individual residing with Student Housing
Disability: a mental or physical impairment that limits the individual in a major life activity, as defined under the ADA
- University employees should contact Human Resources for housing accommodation procedures.
- Conference participants, guests or family members residing in housing should contact conference or event organizers for housing accommodation procedures.
- Prospective students who have not submitted their Statement of Intent to Register (SIR)/applied for housing may consult with Housing and/or Student Accessibility Services on general services and options for dietary needs.
- Housing is available for a general consultation on housing options.
- Student Accessibility Services is available for a general consultation on services and addressing anticipated needs.
- After submitting a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR), a student may submit a Student Accessibility Services Accommodation Request form available at access.ucmerced.edu to engage in an interactive process about housing accommodations.
- #1. Residents must have applied for campus housing and followed all necessary procedures for application prior to requesting accommodations.
- #2. In order to request housing accommodations, residents must complete Student Accessibility Services Accommodation Request form available at access.ucmerced.edu to engage in an interactive process about housing accommodations. Students are encouraged to submit documentation about their needs prior to meeting. This documentation would be comprehensive, written within a reasonable timeframe relative to the disability and include information on their specific circumstances and underlying causes. It should come from a non-familial, treating, licensed professional. Incomplete information may slow or delay the accommodation approval process.
- #3. If accommodation needs are verified, Student Accessibility Services (SAS) communicate these needs to housing services.
- #1. Housing may contact the student to facilitate accommodations or housing may send information about the accommodation if no additional information is needed (e.g., template outreach for approved assistance animals). If the student has questions about how the verified accommodation will be implemented they contact at residenceeducation@ucmerced.edu
- #2. If needed, Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and Residence Education/Housing Operations will meet to discuss the student need and finalize reasonable accommodations. Students may be involved in these meetings, if needed. These meetings will typically involve discussing logistics and finding the best way of providing accommodations that meet the specific needs of the student. This meeting shall occur within 7 business days of SAS verifying the student’s accommodation needs.
- #3. While a student’s disability diagnosis and documentation will be held in confidence with Student Accessibility Services, Housing staff (RLCs, RAs, facilities) may be informed of certain accommodations as it relates to their interaction. For example, staff will be notified of Service Animals and Assistance Animals.
- Please make note of any parking accommodation needs related to your housing during your interactive process with Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Housing will work to facilitate housing assignments near appropriate parking areas when appropriate.
- Parking permitting processes and temporary transportation needs are coordinated by Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS). Information about applying for parking permit, disabled persons parking placard or transportation on campus for temporary disabilities is available on taps.ucmerced.edu website
