Documentation Guidelines for Housing Accommodation Requests

Documentation must be in the form of a typed letter and meet the following criteria:

  • Be current (e.g., within one year)
  • Be written by a qualified, impartial provider who is treating you for the diagnosed disability. This provider should be the one you meet with most frequently and is the most familiar with your needs (examples include physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists/therapists, or other licensed treatment providers). The writer should have expertise and experience in the area for which the accommodations are being requested. Documentation cannot be written by a family member
  • Appear on professional letterhead with the provider’s name, license/certification, employer, contact information, and credentials
    • Please note: Doctor’s notes on prescription pads or handwritten letters are not sufficient for documentation of disability
  • Include a valid signature or electronic signature
  • Be written in English or be an official translation
  • Include a clear diagnostic statement of disability (including DSM-V diagnosis, if applicable)
  • Describe current symptoms (frequency, duration, and severity)
  • Explain the impact the disability has on functioning in a residential environment
  • Include dates of treatment including initial appointment/treatment, most recent evaluation, appointment frequency, etc.
  • Describe types of treatment, including medication, therapy, procedures, etc.
  • Include a specific recommendation for requested accommodation
  • Explain why the accommodation is necessary in relation to the disability and treatment plan
  • Include any other information that may help SAS evaluate the request.

This documentation will be kept confidential and will only be used to determine the student’s eligibility for accommodations or services, and type of accommodation or level of service required. Emerson reserves the right to determine the adequacy of the documentation provided and may request additional information to complete its consideration of the request.

Please send documents to:

Director of Student Accessibility Services
Emerson College
120 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116

Questions or concerns?

Please feel free to call us at 617-824-8592, fax us at 617-824-8941, or email at sas@emerson.edu.