What are disability-related housing accommodations?

A disability is defined as a condition that substantially impacts one or more major life functions (such as walking, breathing, learning, hearing, thinking, etc.).

Examples of disability-related housing accommodations:

• A wheelchair-accessible room
• A ground floor room, or a room near an elevator
• Access to a private bathroom, or a low-use shared bathroom
• Strobe alarms in the room
• Air filtration and/or air conditioning in the room

What to know about Cornell housing

The residence halls on campus vary widely in features.

• Not all buildings have elevators.
• Most do not have air conditioning.
• Many are carpeted.
• Only some are newer buildings.
• Single occupancy rooms are limited.
• Bathrooms are generally shared with other students in your suite or on your floor (numbers vary).
• Pets are not allowed (emotional support animals allowed by prior permission only).

It is so important that we hear from your early if you think if you have specific disability-related needs around housing. If we hear from you after the Housing Office has made their housing room assignments, there likely will not be a room that meets your need(s) available and you will need to be placed on a wait list for something to open up later.

If you have a religion-related housing request, visit Cornell's page on Religious Observance Accommodations to make that request.

Requesting Disability-Related Housing Accommodations

Step 1: Apply for Campus Housing

• Complete the Housing Application process outlined by the Housing Office. You must do this to secure housing on campus, even if you need housing accommodations.
• If you currently live in a program house, or are seeking housing for Junior/Senior year, you should participate in Housing’s Room Selection Process. See "Important Info" below.

Step 2: Determine What to Request

• In order to make an informed housing accommodation request, learn about the different types of features available in Cornell housing. You will need to identify your specific disability-related housing needs.

Step 3: Request Disability-Related Housing Accommodations

• If you do not already have housing accommodations through SDS:
  • Follow the steps to Register with SDS or request additional accommodations
• If you already have housing accommodations with SDS, refer to the information below.

Step 4: Await Communication from SDS and/or Housing Office

• SDS will follow up with you to discuss next steps
  • If you are required to live on campus and are approved for housing accommodations, we will work with the Housing Office to arrange an appropriate housing option for you. If you meet the deadlines (below), this will take place prior to general room selection and placement. If you miss the deadline, you may be placed on a waitlist.
• The Housing Office will communicate with you regarding housing placement. You are responsible for meeting all of the Housing Office's deadlines and requirements.
• You will be contacted at your Cornell email address.

Deadlines

It is best for us to receive complete information from you by a certain date in order to facilitate the accommodation process: 

Newly-admitted freshmen

• Fall admits: May 15
• Spring admits: December 15

Rising sophomores

• February 1

Rising Juniors/Seniors

• See "Important Info" below for deadlines

Summer students

• May 31

Transfer, graduate, and professional students:

• Housing options are limited. Start the registration process with our office as soon as you have confirmed your admission to Cornell.

If we hear from you after your deadline, we can still work with you to try to identify an appropriate housing option, however availability will be more limited. We can put you on a waiting list to be reassigned to a room that meets your needs, but cannot guarantee one will become available. 

If you are looking to continue existing housing disability accommodations, please see important info below for those timelines.