Lawyer for Accommodations in College?

[Anonymous]

My kid’s university has rejected an ADA accommodation request related to a new illness. Because this is a new illness-related disability, we don’t have any experience with legal representation under the ADA. Can anyone here recommend a lawyer or a firm that you’ve worked with to advocate for accommodations in higher education? Or even just the name of a good firm that’s known for ADA advocacy would be a good start and more than I have right now.

[Anonymous]

A university almost certainly receives federal funds so the law you want is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, not ADA.

I don't have a suggestion for you, because my kids are younger, but it might help guide your request.

What reason did they give for turning you down?

[Anonymous]

What accommodations did you ask for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What accommodations did you ask for?

Related to housing. No, not an emotional support animal or any animal at all.

This situation arose with a sudden event -- think a serious fall with multiple broken ones, or a stroke -- and the ensuing physical AND mental recovery. ie, a significant % of people who have a stroke will also develop depression.

Anyway, we asked for a housing-related accommodation and they said 'nope.' Just ignored supporting documents from multiple doctors.

[Anonymous]

what state? you need a lawyer in the state where your kid goes to college.

[Anonymous]

Do they have the available housing you are asking for? I know there is a big shortage on many campuses? I’m thinking of a situation where someone asks for a private room and none are available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What accommodations did you ask for?

Related to housing. No, not an emotional support animal or any animal at all.

This situation arose with a sudden event -- think a serious fall with multiple broken ones, or a stroke -- and the ensuing physical AND mental recovery. ie, a significant % of people who have a stroke will also develop depression.

Anyway, we asked for a housing-related accommodation and they said 'nope.' Just ignored supporting documents from multiple doctors.

I don’t think colleges are required to provide housing. 504 pertains to education, so I don’t think that will apply. Maybe look into local laws around rental agreements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What accommodations did you ask for?

Related to housing. No, not an emotional support animal or any animal at all.

This situation arose with a sudden event -- think a serious fall with multiple broken ones, or a stroke -- and the ensuing physical AND mental recovery. ie, a significant % of people who have a stroke will also develop depression.

Anyway, we asked for a housing-related accommodation and they said 'nope.' Just ignored supporting documents from multiple doctors.

Is it a housing accommodation that is frequently granted in this type of situation? It’s is hard to give advice since we do not know either the accommodation that was requested nor the reason for the accommodation. Therefore, it is impossible to determine if the request was reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What accommodations did you ask for?

Related to housing. No, not an emotional support animal or any animal at all.

This situation arose with a sudden event -- think a serious fall with multiple broken ones, or a stroke -- and the ensuing physical AND mental recovery. ie, a significant % of people who have a stroke will also develop depression.

Anyway, we asked for a housing-related accommodation and they said 'nope.' Just ignored supporting documents from multiple doctors.

I don’t think colleges are required to provide housing. 504 pertains to education, so I don’t think that will apply. Maybe look into local laws around rental agreements.

504 pertains to any services provided by an institutions that get federal funds.

Accommodations in housing are common.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What accommodations did you ask for?

Related to housing. No, not an emotional support animal or any animal at all.

This situation arose with a sudden event -- think a serious fall with multiple broken ones, or a stroke -- and the ensuing physical AND mental recovery. ie, a significant % of people who have a stroke will also develop depression.

Anyway, we asked for a housing-related accommodation and they said 'nope.' Just ignored supporting documents from multiple doctors.

I don’t think colleges are required to provide housing. 504 pertains to education, so I don’t think that will apply. Maybe look into local laws around rental agreements.

Colleges aren't required to provide housing at all (there are commuter schools) but if they do provide housing at all, they have to provide reasonable accommodations to make housing accessible for students with disabilities. Providing a single room is a common accommodation for students whose medical needs require it.

[Anonymous]

OP, you might also try this from the ground-up. I assume your student is already attending? They talk to the RA. They have a conversation with the Graduate Student who is the Dorm Supervisor. "This is what I need. This exactly. This room is the what I need."

[Anonymous]

“My kid might get depressed” is not really something to accomodate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you might also try this from the ground-up. I assume your student is already attending? They talk to the RA. They have a conversation with the Graduate Student who is the Dorm Supervisor. "This is what I need. This exactly. This room is the what I need."

I disagree. RAs and the like don't have any control over accommodations and one particular room isn't going to be a reasonable accommodation. Disability services and the dean overseeing them is the place to go.

Assuming, OP, that you already talked to disability services, did they suggest a different accommodation or do they not think your child needs to be accommodated at all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they have the available housing you are asking for? I know there is a big shortage on many campuses? I’m thinking of a situation where someone asks for a private room and none are available.

That's not how 504s work. If they offer the service, it's up to them to figure it out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“My kid might get depressed” is not really something to accomodate.

This was my thought as well. Since OP never revealed the state, no one can really offer suggestions for an attorney. But it would probably behoove OP to do some internet searches into the prongs that must be met for an ADA or 504 accommodation. Just because doctors recommend something does not mean that all of the required prongs have been met.