Students requiring special housing accommodations due to physical, psychological, or health impairments may request special arrangements through the Office of Disability Services.

Documentation - Acceptable documentation includes letters, records, or reports from your psychologist/ psychiatrist, doctor, physician assistant or comparable professional. A prescription pad statement of disability is inadequate for ADA eligibility. Documentation must include:

• diagnosis,
• statement of severity (mild, moderate, severe),
• how you are disabled as a result of this condition, and
• the specific accommodations needed and why.

Have this information mailed to Disability Services or faxed to 717 796-5217 as soon as possible. This information will be kept in a secure file at the Office of Disability Services, and released only with written approval from the student/guest. Documentation must be updated annually, except where the condition is known to be permanent and not showing change.

A Special Housing Request form must also be filed before the posted deadline- March 5 for current students, May 15 for first year students and new transfers. Requests received after that time can only be considered on a space-available basis. Paper copies of the form are also available at Student Housing or Disability Services. Deadlines for filing requests prior to the housing lottery are posted in the Community News.

At the close of the filing period, representatives from Disability Services, Student Housing, and the Engle Center meet to prioritize the requests by documented need. Factors to be considered include severity of the condition, timing of the request, feasibility, and availability. Student Housing will make room and apartment assignments and notify students as soon as possible.

Dietary Needs: Students who are requesting special housing because of a dietary need must first complete a form with signatures from designated staff in Dining Services. Students should explore options to meet their needs through the Director of Dining Services. Request for Medical Housing for Dietary Purposes Copies are also available from Disability Services or Dining Services.

Personal Care Assistants: Individuals needing the support of a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) are expected to make arrangements on their own. PCA is not a support required to be provided by the College. Every effort will be made to accommodate students or guests using PCA services. Some assistance may be available in helping to locate suitable individuals who may be willing to work in this role, but at the expense of the person with the disability.

Assist Animals: Residents or visitors wishing to keep an assist animal in their rooms are required to follow campus policies on registration, verify that the animal is an assist animal rather than a pet, and provide an acceptable plan for caring for and cleaning up after the animal.

Guests of the College who require special accommodations or services may request them through the Conference Services office. Disability Services works cooperatively with Conference Services to arrange accommodations, when possible.