Requesting Accommodations for a Disability at Loyola

Loyola's Disability Support Services (DSS) office assist students with varied disabilities, including learning disabilities, ADHD, mental health impairments, chronic illnesses, autism spectrum disorders, brain injuries, physical/mobility disabilities, medical conditions, vision and hearing disabilities, and speech/language disabilities. The student is responsible for submitting an application and providing documentation of disability to DSS in order to request accommodations. A DSS advisor will work with a student through an interactive process to determine eligibility and appropriate accommodations.

Students are welcome to submit accommodation requests at any time during their studies at Loyola, but accommodations are not implemented retroactively. Therefore, we encourage incoming first-year students and new transfer students to submit their requests as early as possible. First-year students should try to submit information during the summer before they arrive at Loyola. Also, present Loyola students who are newly diagnosed with a disability should submit requests as soon as possible.

There are two steps to take to register with disability support services (not necessarily in this order)

1.) Complete the online DSS registration

2. ) Submit Documentation

Recent documentation of the disability is required in order to review a student's request for services. This confidential information is maintained in the DSS office and is protected as an educational record under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Disability-related information may be disclosed on a limited, need to know basis in order to provide accommodations and services with the permission of the student, or if there is a legitimate educational reason. Guidelines for written documentation can be obtained online through the following links:

• DSS Documentation Guidelines for Physical, Mental Health, Chronic Health, Sensory, and Autism Spectrum Disorders
• DSS Documentation Guidelines for Learning Disabilities

At anytime, you are welcome to speak to a DSS professional to learn about the procedures for requesting accommodations

The DSS staff is happy to talk to students and parents before they register with DSS. You can email DSS@loyola.edu if you would like to schedule a time to speak to someone.

Registering for Housing Accommodations

For best consideration in terms of living space availability, students should submit their housing accommodation applications before or on the dates listed below.

• As stated in the housing accommodation procedures, housing accommodation requests for first-year and transfer students must be submitted by July 1st.
• As stated in the housing accommodation procedures, rising sophomores, juniors or seniors must complete their registration with DSS by February 1st in order for their accommodation to be considered before the housing selection process begins.
• Accommodations for housing in Loyola residence halls requires a Housing Accommodation Documentation Form to be completed by the student's health care provider.
• Students requesting an assistance animal in Loyola housing as an accommodation must have a medical provider complete this Assistance Animal Information Request form