Housing Accommodations

Students with a diagnosed disability or medical condition who need a housing accommodation (ex. air-conditioning, accessible bathrooms, strobe alarm, etc.) should submit a Housing Accommodation Request to CARDS (Center for Accessibility Resources & Disability Services).

Housing Accommodation Requests must be submitted in addition to the regular Housing application, Room Selection registration form, and/or Room Change Request form (not in place of).

Requests must be resubmitted each academic year (and/or summer). Previous approvals are not automatically extended.

See also: Pre-Lottery Housing Accommodation Requests (part of the Room Selection process)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does CARDS define "disability"?

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a disability is defined as "any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities." If you are unsure whether your particular illness or impairment qualifies as a disability, please contact CARDS directly, well in advance of the deadline.

Must I be registered with CARDS to apply for a housing accommodation?

Yes. If you have not previously registered with CARDS, you must do prior to applying for a housing accommodation. CARDS often finds that when students register and discuss their need for a housing accommodation there may be other types of needs (especially for students with chronic illnesses) for which CARDS registration might be helpful in the future.

What are my housing options if I apply for a housing accommodation?

The Housing Accommodation Committee reviews requests for housing accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Accessibility information may be found on each residence hall's webpage at barnard.edu/reslife/housing-options. Room assignments are made based on individual students' documented needs and room availability.

Additional Questions

If you have any questions, please contact CARDS (101 Altschul Hall, CARDS@barnard.edu, or 212-854-4634).