Accessible Housing Supports

What is an Accessible Housing Support? 

The Accessible Housing process is designed for students who require supports or accommodations in residence.  Residence accommodations provide students with supports that address the functional impact of their disability, taking into account the demand of the residence environment. Students accessing the process have or suspect they may have a disability or condition and therefore would like to request a housing accommodation while living in residence. 

  • A disability/medical condition is defined as a documented physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of an individual, covers a broad range and degree of conditions, and can be visible or invisible. With the presence of functional limitations in activities of daily living, housing accommodations can be made for medical, sensory, physical, environmental, psychological, allergy/dietary restrictions, or mental health conditions.  
  • This process is separate to the process for accessible accommodations for academic activities. Please visit contact AccessAbility Services for support with academic accommodations.
  • This process requires a health care professional (qualified to diagnose) to fill out a medical form as part of the submission. We understand it can take time to get a doctor’s appointment and receive this documentation. Please take this into account when preparing to apply for residence. 

If you require accessible housing supports due to a documented disability or medical condition, please visit the Accessible Housing website for details of how to complete the request for accommodation process. 

Questions? Please email to housing@uwaterloo.ca with your full name and 8-digit Waterloo ID number. 

Deadline 

Incoming students that are part of the 2024 First-Year Residence Guarantee must complete the Accessible Housing Process by: 

  • June 3, 2024 

Submissions after this date will be considered but cannot be guaranteed. Meeting this deadline ensures that your Accessible Housing recommendation is received before room assignments are made.  

For all other student types including incoming First-Year students who missed the deadline above: 

  • We accept documentation on a rolling basis. However, an early submission increases the likelihood that we have reasonable spaces available to meet your Accessible Housing recommendation.  
  • It is recommended that you submit an Accessible Housing application at or around the same time that you submit your residence application, as room assignments begin as little as two weeks after a residence application opens for any given term. Room options that may meet Accessible Housing recommendations diminish as room assignments are sent out. 

Important Considerations

Here are some things to keep in mind before you submit your Accessible Housing application.

Can my requested roommate be assigned with me?

Housing supports are only for the student requesting the supports and may not include current or potential roommates. 

Can I chose the residence room I get placed in?

While a student may feel strongly they should be placed in a specific residence, assignments are based on the specific and reasonable needs identified in the documentation received, and adherence to the deadline and space availability.

A student does have the right to waive the Accessible Housing recommendation to stay in their current room assignment.

Assigned to residence in St Jerome’s, Renison, United, or Conrad Grebel?

I have previously registered with Accessible Housing, do I need to resubmit?

If you have previously registered with Accessible Housing, and your accommodation supports continue to meet your disability-based needs, you do not need to submit a new application.   

If you have previously registered with Accessible Housing, and your disability-based needs have changed (requiring different and/or additional supports), you must complete a new Accessible Housing Application Form.

Additional Accommodations

If you require additional types of support outside of the Accessible Housing process, see below.

Academic accommodations

Dietary accommodations

For dietary supports please connect with Food Services on how they can best accommodate you in residence. 

Height accommodations

Taller than 6’4”/193 cm?  

Religious accommodations

You may be concerned that your daily religious practices may not be possible within some of our residence communities. We can help provide details on spaces, options and supports available to ensure you can make an informed decision. Although not guaranteed and pending availability, Campus Housing can consider housing assignment requests based on cultural or creed-based needs. Please email Campus Housing at housing@uwaterloo.ca your religious accommodation request once you complete your residence application so we can help you. Please make sure when emailing to include your full name and 8-digit Waterloo ID number.   

Did you know our three residence Eateries can accommodate Halal, as well as vegan and vegetation diets? The Food Services team is also here to support you! For more information on UW Food Services accommodations and supports, please visit UW Food Services Diet Restrictions and Allergies. 

Types of Accessible Housing Accommodations Provided by Campus Housing

Campus Housing strives to offer spaces that meet the diverse needs of our student population. Campus Housing may be limited in what can be accommodated based on the types of rooms available and what our operation can reasonably provide. Some Campus Housing rooms have more privacy, have a lower student to washroom ratio, provide barrier free access, or allow a student to cook for themselves.  

Housing recommendations are individualized and based on the student’s application and information about their unique disability-based limitations. Students cannot request for a specific type of accommodation, room type, or residence building.