Housing, Parking + Service Animal Accommodations

In keeping with the University of Alberta’s commitment to promoting active engagement in university life for all students, accommodation support is available beyond just the classroom. Students may be eligible for housing, parking, and/or service/support animal accommodations to reduce barriers to participation and in accordance with the university’s Accommodation Procedure for Students.

Students must first register for accommodations and will receive all follow up communication via their University of Alberta email accounts.The university will take steps to reasonably accommodate students’ needs, which may require students to try different accommodation options. If accommodations are approved, the relevant university office will be notified but personal documentation is never shared.

Housing Accommodations

If you have a documented, protected ground that restricts your access to communal living environments and you live in University Residence housing (or intend to apply for University Residence housing), you may be eligible for housing accommodations on University of Alberta campuses.

• 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 also applying for housing accommodations to request specialized housing. 
• At the same time, students must register for accommodations and provide objective documentation that describes in detail how the functional impacts of their condition create housing barriers.
• Students already registered for accommodations, should contact their Accessibility Advisor to determine whether they need to submit additional objective documentation in support of their housing accommodation request.
• Once a student is approved for housing accommodations, they may then request changes to their housing assignment request by emailing University Residence Services at housing@ualberta.ca.
• Students approved for housing accommodations are responsible for housing application costs, meal plan costs, and the full housing rate for the unit assigned. All University of Alberta Residence policies and regulations apply to them.

Questions about housing applications and housing assignments, should be addressed to: University of Alberta Residence Services at housing@ualberta.ca. 

Parking Accommodations

If you have a documented permanent disability that affects your physical access to campus, you may be eligible to apply for accessible or proximal parking accommodations on University of Alberta campuses.

• To access parking accommodations, students must register for accommodations with our office following the standard accommodation registration process, including the submission of objective medical documentation.
• Students already registered for accommodations, should contact their Accessibility Advisor to determine whether they need to submit additional objective documentation in support of their parking accommodation request.
• Students approved for parking accommodations are responsible for all parking fees.

Questions about parking permits and services should be addressed to University of Alberta Parking Services at parking@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: 

• 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.
• Students already registered for accommodations, should contact their Accessibility Advisor to determine whether they need to submit additional objective medical documentation that describes in detail how their functional impacts are alleviated by the use of a service dog/support animal.
• 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.

If you have questions about any of these accommodations or any aspect of accommodation registration, please email the Accessibility & Accommodations Services at arrec@ualberta.ca.