Accessibility in Dorm Rooms 

    August is here! School is starting, work is resuming, and the college experience is beginning. August is an exciting and busy time for all individuals, but especially for college students as they are both moving and starting classes. 

    Moving can be both exhilarating and stressful. Picking a dorm is no easy task, as most college campuses have plenty of options to choose from. 

Image of a student in a wheelchair smiling as she unpacks her boxes into her college dorm room. 

    How can you find an accessible dorm room? First, you need to decide if you would like to live on or off campus. For new freshmen or high schoolers who haven’t graduated yet, living on campus means living in a dorm or facility that is provided by the university itself. Living off campus is living in a property that is not affiliated with the university, usually an apartment. When choosing which option is best for you, it is important to consider factors such as price, design, and proximity to the university. Once you have determined where on campus you want to live, start searching! 

Image of a group of students with and without an IDD from universities in New York smiling with a thumbs up due to their colleges having accessible dorm spaces. 

    Fortunately, many universities have accounted for accessibility in their dorm rooms. Many big name universities have accessible spaces. Getting in contact with a housing representative can help you find a dorm room or living space that meets your needs. 

    Additionally, contact your university to get information on ADA Accommodations available to you. After filing the required paperwork, the Office for Individuals with an IDD can work with you to secure an accessible living space. 

    Some common accommodations to look for when finding a place to live either on or off campus include a lowered bed, a shower chair, good lighting, clear pathways, on site residential advisors, etc. These are a couple things to look and ask for when searching and touring. 

We hope this helped you explore accessibility in college dorms! On behalf of the YLC, we wish you the best in college, grade school, work, or whatever adventure you encounter this August. 

In Friendship, 

Maya Ali