Housing, Parking + Service Animal Accommodations

Updated: December 23, 2021

The following campus accommodations are available to eligible students registered for accommodations.

Housing Accommodations

Housing accommodations are provided to eligible students living in University of Alberta Residence. Housing accommodations address the functional impacts of eligible students’ conditions related to communal living environments, including dietary restrictions, dietary sensitivities, shared living space, shared washrooms, and/or other housing mobility/accessibility limitations. 

If you have a documented, permanent disability that affects ability to live in communal living environments (e.g., dietary restrictions, dietary sensitivities, shared living space, shared washrooms, and/or other housing mobility/accessibility limitations) and you live in University Residence housing (or intend to apply for University Residence housing) you may be eligible to apply for accessible housing accommodations on University of Alberta campuses. Regarding registration for housing accommodations, please note: 

• Students should submit their University of Alberta Residence applications as early as possible, noting in the ‘additional information to share’ section of the application that they are applying for housing accommodations and require specialized housing. 
• At the same time, students must register for accommodations with our office following the standard accommodation registration process, including the submission of objective medical documentation that describes in detail how the functional impacts of their condition will be improved by specific housing accommodations.
  • If you are approved for housing accommodations, our office notifies University of Alberta Residence only of your housing accommodation(s) approval and does not share any information included in your submitted medical documentation in accordance with privacy regulations.
• If you are already registered for accommodations, please contact your Accessibility Advisor to confirm if you need to submit additional objective medical documentation (from any qualified healthcare provider involved in your care) that describes in detail how the functional impacts of your condition(s) will be improved by specific housing accommodations.
• Once students have completed their University of Alberta Residence applications and completed the accommodation registration process, students are notified of the accommodations for which they are approved (including housing accommodations) via their University of Alberta email accounts.
• If students are approved for housing accommodations, the Academic Success Centre notifies University of Alberta Residence of students' approved housing accommodations by email; students will be electronically copied on these communications. Students may then request changes to their housing assignment request by emailing University Residence at housing@ualberta.ca.
• Students approved for housing accommodations are responsible for all fees associated with their housing applications and payments, and University of Alberta Residence regulations apply to them.
• Housing accommodations are provided to students in accordance with the University’s Discrimination, Harassment and Duty to Accommodate policy. The University will take steps to reasonably accommodate students’ needs, which may require students to try different accommodation options.

If you have questions about housing applications and housing assignments, please email University of Alberta Residence at housing@ualberta.ca. 

If you have questions about housing accommodations or accommodation registration, please email the Academic Success Centre at arrec@ualberta.ca. 

Parking Accommodations

Accessible or proximal parking accommodations address the functional impacts of eligible students’ conditions related to mobility challenges, use of mobility devices, reduced energy levels due to medical treatments or symptoms, and/or other impacts on students’ abilities to physically travel to, from, and/or around campus.

If you have a documented permanent disability that affects your physical access to campus (e.g., mobility challenges, use of a mobility device, reduced energy levels due to medical treatment or condition, or other functional impacts that impact your physical ability to travel to, from, or around campus), you may be eligible to apply for accessible or proximal parking accommodations on University of Alberta campuses. Regarding registration for parking accommodations, please note:

• Students should submit their University of Alberta Parking Services applications as early as possible, noting that they are applying for parking accommodations. 
• At the same time, students must register for accommodations with our office following the standard accommodation registration process, including the submission of objective medical documentation that describes in detail how the functional impacts of their condition will be improved by accessible or proximal parking accommodations.
  • If you are approved for an accessible/proximal parking accommodation, our office notifies University of Alberta Parking Services of the accommodation(s) approval and does not share any information included in your submitted medical documentation in accordance with privacy regulations.
• If you are already registered for accommodations, please contact your Accessibility Advisor to confirm if you need to submit additional objective medical documentation (from any qualified healthcare provider involved in your care) that describes in detail how the functional impacts of your condition(s) will be improved by having accessible or proximal parking.
• Students are notified of the accommodations for which they are approved (including parking accommodations) via their University of Alberta email accounts.
• If students are approved for parking accommodations, our office notifies University of Alberta Parking Services of students' approved housing accommodations by email; students will be electronically copied on these communications. 
• Students approved for parking accommodations are responsible for all fees associated with their parking applications and payments, and University of Alberta Parking regulations apply to them.
• Parking accommodations are provided to students in accordance with the University’s Discrimination, Harassment and Duty to Accommodate policy. The University will take steps to reasonably accommodate students’ needs, which may require students to try different accommodation options.

If you have questions about parking applications and parking services assignments, email University of Alberta Parking Services at parking@ualberta.ca.

If you have questions about parking accommodations or accommodation registration, please email the Academic Success Centre at arrec@ualberta.ca. 

Service Dog/Support Animal Accommodations

Use of therapeutic/emotional support animals or registered serviced dogs helps to alleviate the functional impacts of eligible students’ conditions. Service dog or therapeutic/emotional support animal accommodations ensure that students’ professionally prescribed animal use is approved for use on University of Alberta campuses, including University of Alberta Residence housing units. 

PLEASE NOTE: in accordance with provincial regulations, qualified service dogs are permitted on all University of Alberta properties. We recommend that students with qualified service dogs register for accommodations in order that our office may assist in the coordination of these students’ participation in all areas of campus, including areas that have additional health and safety requirements.

If you have a documented permanent disability for which you have been prescribed the use of a service dog/support animal, you may be eligible to apply for service dog/support animal accommodations on University of Alberta campuses. Regarding registration for service dog/support animal accommodations, please note:

• Students must register for accommodations with our office following the standard accommodation registration process, including the submission of objective medical documentation (completed by any qualified healthcare provider involved in their care) that describes in detail how the functional impacts of their condition will be improved by the use of a service dog/support animal. At a minimum, the documentation must include the following information:
  • the healthcare provider’s diagnosis of the student’s permanent disability or chronic health condition.
  • a detailed description of the current impact and functional limitations on the student resulting from the disability or condition.
  • a confirmation that the animal has been prescribed for treatment purposes for the student and is necessary to help alleviate symptoms associated with the student’s disability or condition and/or to help the student use and enjoy University housing services.
  • a description of the support that the animal will provide to the handler.
  • any additional rationale or statement the University may reasonably need to understand the basis for the professional opinion.
• If you are already registered for accommodations, please contact your Accessibility Advisor to confirm if you need to submit additional objective medical documentation (from any qualified healthcare provider involved in your care) that describes in detail how the functional impacts of your condition(s) are alleviated by the use of a service dog/support animal.
• Students are notified of the accommodations for which they are approved (including service dog/support animal accommodations) via their University of Alberta email accounts.
• Students approved for service dog/support animal accommodations are responsible, where applicable, for: obtaining service dogs/support animals, service dog IDs, service dog/support animal training; following provincial service dog regulations, and all costs associated with their service dog/support animal.
• Service dog/support animal accommodations are provided to students in accordance with the University’s Discrimination, Harassment and Duty to Accommodate policy. The University will take steps to reasonably accommodate students’ needs, which may require students to try different accommodation options.

If you have questions about service dog/support animal accommodations or accommodation registration, please email the Academic Success Centre at arrec@ualberta.ca.