Welcome! At the Student Accommodation Office (SAO) we are here to ensure that you have equal access to an education by removing barriers that you experience due to physical/learning impairments, family planning, or religious observances. City University of Seattle’s position on accommodations originates in social model. In the social model of accessibility, disability or impairment is seen as one aspect of a person’s identity, much like race/ethnicity, gender, etc. From this perspective, a disability is believed to result from a mismatch between the person and the environment (both physical and social). It is this environment that creates the handicaps and barriers, not the disability. Negative stereotypes, discrimination and oppression serve as barriers to environmental change and full inclusion. From this perspective, the way to address disability is to change the environment and society, rather than people with disabilities.

Achievement Statistics

According to data from the most recent research from CityU internal metrics, Students who register for academic accommodations earn a grade point average that aligns with the average achievement of mainstream students. This means that students with accommodations can experience an equal opportunity for education at CityU. From the opposite lens, accommodation is not an advantage for a select group, it’s an equalizer.

However, while extremely helpful, we understand that there is more power in making accessibility a university-wide initiative rather than waiting for individuals to disclose and apply for accommodations.

The National Disability Center for Student Success found that traditional models place the burden of disclosure on students with disabilities, yet an estimated 65-70% never disclose. In fact, nationally during the pandemic fewer than half of those who applied for accommodation ultimately received them. These gaps reveal how fragile the system is when accessibility is treated as individual compliance instead of a shared campus responsibility. CityU expresses the importance of self-advocacy but also stresses that creating an inclusive and accessible learning environment is our responsibility.

Types of Accommodations

The SAO currently provides accommodations to over 250 students for various physical and learning impairments, pregnancy related issues, and religious support. Some common examples of accommodations include (but are not limited to):

• Flexibility with assignment deadlines and formatting
• The use of assistive technology in the classroom
• Access for service and support animals
• Maternity leave for pregnancy, and support for returning parents
• Rescheduling of tests and assignments for attendance of events of religious significance.

SAO Mission

City University of Seattle’s Student Accommodation Office provides equal access within the classroom setting, through the determination of reasonable accommodations, for students with documented medical/ mental health, family planning, or religious concerns. CityU aims to facilitate a culture of accessibility through collaboration with campus partners, the development of student self-advocacy, and the expansion of faculty awareness. Guided by the university’s mission, we strive to support the CityU community in its efforts to provide an equitable education for all students on campus or in the online environment.

SAO Vision

The SAO can hold CityU to the highest standards of unhindered access, inclusion, and diversity. Using the latest advancements, the office commits to staying up to date with the ever-changing needs of our students and supports their pursuit of self-advocacy, independence, and academic achievement. The SAO strives to be well known in the various communities we serve to be a place that is accessible and equitable for all.