Requesting disability-related accommodations

Personalized support for students

The Center for Disability and Accessibility Resources is here to provide accommodation* and services that ensure your full participation in University of Idaho’s academic and campus life. Our support includes:

  • Deaf and hard-of-hearing services
  • Assistive technology
  • Alternative text formats
  • Testing accommodations
  • Note-taking assistance
  • Emotional support animal approval
  • Housing accommodations (in partnership with Housing and Residence Life)

Whether you're a new Vandal or a continuing student newly diagnosed with a disability, this page will guide you through the accommodation process. You can register with our office at any time — it doesn’t have to be at the start of your program. Accommodations are not retroactive.

Need assistance? Contact us.

*Note: "Accommodations" includes disability-related services and auxiliary aids. 

Apply for accommodations

Complete a CDAR application to request accommodations

Access the accommodations application

How to request academic accommodations

Requesting accommodations is an interactive process between you and University of Idaho.

Follow these steps as early as possible: 

Step 1: Complete the CDAR Application

The first step to receiving services from CDAR is to complete the CDAR Application. To complete the application, you will need:

  • Your Vandal ID and username. You should receive this information in your welcome packet.
  • Your DUO authentication device. The CDAR Application uses multi-factor authentication to protect your information, so you'll need your phone or key fob.

Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive confirmation, your application is not submitted.

If you need the application in an alternate format or are unable to complete it, please contact 208-885-6307 or cdar@uidaho.edu.

Step 2: Provide disability documentation

Disability documentation must be provided by a physician, psychologist, audiologist or other licensed professional appropriately qualified to diagnose your specific disability.

Documentation must:

  • Be on official letterhead from the professional describing the disability.
  • Be dated and signed, including the name, title and professional credentials of the evaluator, with information about license or certification.
  • List and explain the diagnosis/description of the medical condition, the date of diagnosis, the likely duration of the medical condition and the functional limitations that arise from the medical condition.

More information on disability documentation requirements can be found in the section below.

Contact CDAR at 208-885-6307 or cdar@uidaho.edu if you have any questions or run into challenges with obtaining this information from your medical provider. 

Step 3: Schedule an intake appointment

Meet with a CDAR Access Consultant to discuss your accommodation. Appointments last one hour and can be in-person or via Zoom.

Contact 208-885-6307 or cdar@uidaho.edu to schedule. 

Disability documentation requirements

Disability documentation must be provided by a physician, psychologist, audiologist or other licensed professional appropriately qualified to diagnose the specific disability of the individual.

Documentation should be on official letterhead and include:

  • The diagnosis, including when the diagnosis was made and the likely duration of the disability.
  • Details of the student’s functional limitations created by the disability(s).
  • List of recommended accommodation for the student (if known), along with explanations of why each accommodation would be useful.
  • The signature of the licensed medical provider and date signed.
  • Alternatively, have your medical provider complete the medical verification form.

Depending on the disability and age of documentation, students may be asked to obtain updated diagnosis documentation.

Evaluators are encouraged to include appropriate medical reports, relevant medical history, test scores where applicable (especially for individuals with cognitive and learning disabilities) and any other medical or educational data that would be useful in determining and providing appropriate accommodations and services.

Please note a 504 or IEP is beneficial but is not a substitute for a psychological or psycho-educational evaluation. 

Accommodation request materials

Documentation FAQs

Why do I have to submit documentation?

Students must provide documentation, upon request, that they have a disability that substantially limits a major life activity and supports the need for an academic adjustment. Documentation should identify how a student's ability to function is limited because of their disability. The primary purpose of documentation is to establish a disability and help University of Idaho work interactively with the student to identify appropriate services.

What if I don’t have documentation of my disability?

Each student is considered individually. Complete a CDAR Application to identify concerns and barriers you experience accessing your education. Then call 208-885-6307 to schedule a meeting with one of our access consultants who can help guide you through the process.

Is a copy of my 504 or IEP good enough?

Generally, no. Although an IEP or Section 504 plan may help identify services that have been used in the past, they are generally not sufficient documentation to support the existence of a current disability and need for academic accommodations at a postsecondary institution.

What if my documentation is more than seven years old?

Disability documentation should be current and relevant, but not necessarily recent. Some disabilities are lifelong conditions. If you are uncertain if you need updated documentation, complete a CDAR Application, then call 208-885-6307 to schedule a meeting with one of our access consultants to discuss educational barriers and determine appropriate documentation. 

What to expect from your intake meeting

Meeting with the Center for Disability Access and Resources (CDAR) is an important step in receiving accommodation and support. Here’s what you can expect during your intake meeting with an access consultant:

  • Getting to know you: We’ll begin with a few questions to understand your background before diving into the specifics of your disability and any challenges you face in class, exams or other academic settings.
  • Identifying barriers and solutions: You’ll have the chance to discuss the obstacles you encounter and explore possible accommodations. If you’re unsure what would help, that’s okay — our consultants will guide you through available options.
  • Previous accommodations: If you’ve received accommodations in the past, whether in high school or another college, sharing what worked (or didn’t) can help tailor support to your needs.

Key terms you may hear during your intake meeting

  • Access consultant: A CDAR professional who helps identify barriers and determine appropriate accommodations.
  • Accommodation: Adjustments to remove barriers to learning, such as extra test time or assistive technology.
  • Accommodation letter: A document provided to instructors each semester outlining your approved accommodations.
  • Accommodation request: The process of applying for accommodation each term through the CDAR Access Portal.
  • Barrier: A challenge created by your disability that affects your academic or housing experience.
  • CDAR Testing Center: A resource for students needing testing accommodations.
  • Intake meeting: Your first meeting with an Access Consultant to discuss your disability-related needs.
  • Interactive process: A collaborative conversation between you and CDAR to determine reasonable accommodations.
  • Review meeting: A follow-up meeting to adjust accommodations or address new concerns.

The intake meeting is built to be a supportive, interactive process that helps ensure you receive the accommodations you need to succeed at University of Idaho. But this initial meeting is just the beginning. If your needs change or new challenges arise, you can always schedule a follow-up meeting to adjust accommodations as necessary.

Requesting approval for an emotional support animal on campus

Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), individuals with disabilities are allowed to have an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) in university housing. Unlike Service Animals, which are defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ESAs provide emotional support that alleviates one or more symptoms of a disability but are not considered service animals. ESAs are not pets.

How to request an ESA accommodation

To bring an ESA to campus, students must:

  1. Complete the Emotional Support Animal Request Form and the CDAR Application.
    1. Page 3 of the ESA request form should be completed by the student.
    2. A qualified healthcare provider (e.g., physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse practitioner) should complete pages 4-8, confirming the disability-related need for an ESA.
  2. Submit the completed form in person, by fax at 208-885-9404 or by email at cdar@uidaho.edu.
    1. If your healthcare provider prefers to use their own form, they must include all required information from the ESA request form and attach the Emotional Support Animal Fax Cover Sheet when submitting documentation.

All ESA requests must be approved before bringing the animal into University of Idaho housing. Failure to complete the approval process may result in the university requiring the removal of the animal until all paperwork is finalized.

Complete an ESA accommodation request.

Additional ESA resources

Housing accommodations

If you have a disability, you may be eligible for housing accommodations to help ensure you have full and equal access to on-campus living. Examples of housing accommodations include, but aren’t limited to:

  • ADA-compliant rooms
  • Single occupancy rooms
  • Shared or private bathrooms
  • Room modifications

Your housing accommodations must be reasonable, directly relate to your disability and address your specific functional limitations. CDAR and Housing and Residence Life work together to provide a positive, supportive living environment for students with disabilities in the residence halls and on-campus apartments. 

Live on campus requirement

All first-year, full-time University of Idaho students under the age of 21 are required to live in university-recognized housing—such as residence halls or fraternity and sorority housing—for their first academic year.

Students with a documented disability may request an exemption through the Dean of Students Office.

Learn more about this housing requirement and the exemption process.

Requesting housing accommodations

Step 1: Apply for university housing

Before we can review a request for housing accommodations, you must have applied to live on campus. For questions about housing, contact 208-885-6471 or housing@uidaho.edu.

Step 2: Complete a CDAR Application

If you are requesting a housing accommodation for the first time you should begin by completing CDAR's Online Application.

Step 3: Submit documentation

Documentation for your accommodation application can be submitted with your CDAR Application, emailed to cdar@uidaho.edu, faxed to 208-885-9404 or brought in person to the CDAR office in the Bruce M. Pitman Center, Room 127.

Your documentation must:

  • Be on letterhead from a physician or licensed professional
  • Be signed by a physician or licensed professional
  • List the diagnosis, the date of diagnosis, the duration of the diagnosis and the limitations from the diagnosis 
Step 4: Contact CDAR to schedule appointment

Once you have submitted a CDAR Application and applied to live on campus, the next step is to meet with one of CDAR's access consultants. Contact CDAR at 208-885-6307 or cdar@uidaho.edu to schedule your meeting.

The housing accommodation intake meeting can take place via phone or in-person. 

Step 5: CDAR verifies accommodation with housing

Once you have met with an Access Consultant, CDAR will inform Housing and Residence Life of your accommodation if the accommodation is approved.

Step 6: Renew housing accommodation

Housing accommodations must be renewed once per academic year. Returning students should contact CDAR when they apply to live on campus the following semester to renew their housing accommodation.

Housing accommodation waitlist

Based on our review of your request and the supporting medical documentation, CDAR may approve your housing accommodations as a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability. However, approval is not guaranteed and is determined on a case-by-case basis. Housing’s ability to implement the requested accommodations is subject to space availability.

Requests submitted after May 1 will be placed on a waitlist. Your request will be prioritized for placement should a suitable room become available, however there is no guarantee this will happen before the start of classes.

Other campus support resources

Additional accommodations are available through our campus partners as well as state and national organizations.

Connect with the CDAR accommodations team

Want to learn more about the accommodations and services we offer or feel like accommodations might help with your learning at U of I? Contact us at 208-885-6307 or cdar@uidaho.edu. We’d love to answer your questions.