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Getting Started with Disability Accommodations

Welcome to the Office of Student Disability Support (OSDS)! We look forward to working with you during your time as a student at American University. Our primary objective is to engage with you through the interactive process to identify reasonable and appropriate accommodations based on your disability-related needs.

To receive reasonable accommodations at American University, students must register with the OSDS. Registration is completed by following the three-step process outlined below. The OSDS reviews each accommodation request in a timely manner and on an individual basis to determine reasonable accommodations that support equal opportunity to access and participate in educational programs

If you have questions about our process or need additional support prior to or during the reasonable accommodation process, call or stop by our office to speak with the member of the Disability Team.

The Three-Step Process

  1. Complete the relevant accommodation application(s) located in the ⁠Accommodation Application Center.
  2. Submit documentation of your disability. For details on information sufficient to meet the university guidance, access the “Documentation Guidelines and Functional Impact Forms” links at the bottom of this webpage.  Documentation can be uploaded directly to the accommodation application. If students have questions about this step, they may contact the office to schedule a time to speak with a team member for support with the process. Insufficient documentation will not delay OSDS engagement in the interactive process with students and, where appropriate, provisional or alternate accommodations will be considered based on the available information.
  3. Meet with a member of the Disability Team for an intake appointment. Review of submitted information typically takes 2-3 weeks. The intake appointment is a key step in determining eligibility and accommodtions. Through an individualized, collaborative process, the OSDS works with each student to understand their functional limitations and identify appropriate accommodations. The length of this individualized process may vary depending on the student's needs. The student's assigned Disability Team member will invite the student to schedule the intake following the receipt of the application and any available documentation.

Additional Information

  • Be mindful of priority deadlines. Applications submitted after priority deadlines are reviewed on a rolling basis. The OSDS will begin the interactive process upon notice and will implement approved accommodation as soon as reasonably possible.
  • Documentation is most helpful when it describes how a disability impacts a student’s experience in the higher education environment. Students are encouraged not to delay meeting with our office if they have concerns or questions about appropriate documentation. They may call or visit to schedule a time to discuss their individual needs.
  • The OSDS communicates with students at their AU email address. Students are encouraged to actively check their AU email for OSDS communications. Students may also check the status of any accommodation requests by logging into the Accommodation Application Center.

If you have a disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities, you may be eligible for disability-related accommodations. To determine eligibility, we will need, from an appropriate, licensed health care professional, comprehensive and relevant documentation that explains the impact of your disability and makes a recommendation for accommodation.

The links below include documentation guidelines and Functional Impact Forms. Your provider can fill out the fillable Functional Impact Form. Alternatively, they may write a letter that includes the information outlined in the documentation guidelines. A provider letter must be written on official letterhead and be signed with their credentials and license number.

Which form do I submit?

Severe and Chronic Medical Conditions- Documentation Guidelines and Functional Impact Form (FIF)
Example Diagnoses: Autoimmune Diseases (Celiac Disease, Crohn’s Disease), Concussions, Migraines, Post-Concussive Syndrome, Physical and Orthopedic Disabilities, etc.

Sensory Conditions- Documentation Guidelines and Functional Impact Form (FIF)
Example Diagnoses: Deafness, Blindness, Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment 

Psychological Disabilities- Documentation Guidelines and Functional Impact Form (FIF)
Example Diagnoses: Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Sleep Disorders, etc.

Learning Disabilities- Documentation Guidelines
Example Diagnoses: Learning Disabilities, Auditory Processing Disorder, Specific Learning Disorder in Reading, etc.
 
Allergies- Documentation Guidelines and Functional Impact Form (FIF)
Example Diagnoses: Environmental Allergies (Dust, Mold, Pollen etc.), Food Allergies (Peanuts, Shellfish, etc.)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)- Documentation Guidelines and Functional Impact Form (FIF)
Example Diagnosis: ADHD

To request temporary accommodations (e.g., for an injury), complete the Temporary Accommodation Application found in the Accommodation Application Center. Please include documentation related to your injury. Then call the Office of Student Disability Support at 202-885-3360 to schedule an appointment with a Disability Access Advisor (DAA).

If you wish to request disability-related housing accommodations, you must:

  1. Submit the Housing Accommodation Application, and
  2. Submit documentation that specifically addresses the disability-related housing accommodation being requested. Documentation guidelines can be found here. Documentation should be uploaded directly to the accommodation application.
  3. Meet with an Office of Student Disability Support (OSDS) team member. You will be contacted by the OSDS when you are ready for this step.
  4. Participate in the general housing application process through Housing and Residence Life (HRL) and meet all HRL deadlines.

If you wish to request disability-related dining accommodations, you must:

  1. Submit the Dining Accommodation Application
  2. Submit documentation that specifically addresses the disability-related dining accommodation being requested. Documentation guidelines can be found here. Documentation should be uploaded directly to the accommodation application.
  3. Meet with an Office of Student Disability Support (OSDS) team member. You will be contacted by the OSDS when you are ready for this step.

If you use a service animal (a dog or miniature horse trained to perform specific tasks related to your disability), we encourage you to register the presence of your animal, but registering a service animal is not required.

To request an animal as a disability-related accommodation on campus, follow the Three-Step Process as outlined on our website

Emotional Support Animals in University Housing Guidance

To request disability-related accommodations for this test, complete the Math Placement Exam accommodation application in the Accommodation Application Center.

General information about the Math Placement Test can be found here on the Math & Stat Department website.

American University is committed to the safety of students with disabilities. Please note that areas within campus buildings have been designated Areas of Rescue Assistance. There should be a sign posted in each of the designated areas of a building. If you have trouble locating an Area of Rescue Assistance please contact the Office of Student Disability Support at 202-885-3360 or [email protected]

Register for AU Alert: Emergency Notification

Students with disabilities are oriented to all procedures related to their safety in all university buildings, including residence halls and academic buildings, during an intake meeting with a Disability Access Advisor in the Office of Student Disability Support. Students participate in a required intake meeting when they request reasonable accommodations.

Students, employees, and visitors may contact the OSDS with questions at 202-885-3360 or [email protected].

Priority Deadlines

Missing a priority deadline does not make a student ineligible to receive accommodations. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines are reviewed on a rolling basis. Once accommodations are approved, the implementation will begin as soon as reasonably possible.

Academic Priority Deadlines*
For Spring 2026 – December 1, 2025
For Summer 2026 – April 1, 2026
For Fall 2026 – July 1, 2026

Housing Priority Deadlines for Spring 2026**
Continuing Students – November 7, 2025
New First Year Students and New Transfer Students (Spring 2026 admits) –November 17, 2025

Housing Priority Deadlines for Summer 2026**
Main Campus Continuing Students – April 3, 2026
Programs Living in University Housing for Summer 2026 – Eight weeks prior to move-in date

Housing Priority Deadlines for Fall 2026**
Continuing Undergraduate Students – February 23, 2026
New First Year Undergraduate Students – May 8, 2026
New Transfer Students – July 2, 2026
Graduate Students – July 2, 2026

*Deadlines are associated with traditional academic calendar. Students enrolling in programs with alternate calendars should submit their documentation for review upon paying the enrollment deposit. 

**Students must deposit to AU before consideration of a housing accommodation request.