# Applying for Accommodations

**Source**: https://dao.fas.harvard.edu/applying-for-accommodations-through-the-disability-access-office/
**Parent**: https://collegehousing.fas.harvard.edu/rising-sophomore-lottery/

Complete the following three steps to request accommodations through the Disability Access Office. All student information, including the initial application, is stored in the secure Accessible Information Management (AIM) platform.

## Step 1: Complete Online Application

Complete a New Student Application in [**AIM**](https://sierra.accessiblelearning.com/Harvard/ApplicationStudent.aspx). Identify if you are requesting academic, housing/dining, transportation, or temporary access needs by selecting the corresponding application. You may need to fill out more than one application.

If you are already registered with DAO and would like to request additional accommodations in the same application category (i.e., you previously applied for academic accommodations, but have additional academic needs), email your accessibility advisor. If you are requesting accommodations in a different application category (i.e., you previously applied for academic accommodations, but are applying for housing needs), log in to the [**AIM**](https://sierra.accessiblelearning.com/Harvard/ApplicationStudent.aspx) portal and submit a new application in that category.

## Step 2: Documentation

On the third page of each application, you will be asked to upload relevant supporting documentation. Current documentation helps inform our conversation and provides information about specific requests. [***Read our documentation guidelines***](https://dao.fas.harvard.edu/documentation-guidelines/)***.***

Not all students will have complete documentation of their disability during the application stage. If this applies to you, please include a note in your application explaining these circumstances. DAO will contact you to schedule a meeting to discuss next steps.

## Step 3: Attend an Access Meeting

Once you have completed these steps, you will be invited to schedule your access meeting with an Accessibility Advisor. The Access Meeting is an interactive conversation and opportunity for you to discuss your educational experience and the impact of your disability in different environments. This helps your Accessibility Advisor determine reasonable accommodations. Take a look at our web page on [Preparing for your Access Meeting](https://dao.fas.harvard.edu/preparing-for-your-access-meeting/).

## Access Meeting

The Access Meeting is an opportunity for you to meet with your accessibility advisor and share some of the ways you are impacted by your disability.

[How to prepare](https://dao.fas.harvard.edu/preparing-for-your-access-meeting/)

Medical information provided to DAO is not automatically shared with Harvard University Health Services (HUHS). You are strongly encouraged to also report your health information directly to HUHS. DAO does not provide any form of medical consultation, evaluation, or treatment.