accommodations

Accommodations is a broad term used to describe adjustments or arrangements made to enable use, participation, or access to goods, services, or opportunities. The word can refer to lodging for travelers, housing arrangements, or modifications made by institutions to support individuals with disabilities or special needs.

In travel and hospitality, accommodations denotes places to stay and related services such as meals, transportation, and accessibility features. Hotels, inns, vacation rentals, and hostels provide accommodations that are evaluated by location, price, amenities, and guest reviews.

In housing, accommodations can refer to temporary or permanent living arrangements and any modifications made to a dwelling to meet a resident's needs, including accessibility retrofits, roommate agreements, or landlord-supported adjustments.

In education and employment, accommodations are adjustments to policies, procedures, or environments that enable participation by people with disabilities or other limitations. Examples include extended time on tests, alternative formats for course materials, sign language interpretation, assisted technology, and accessible facilities. Legal frameworks in many jurisdictions require reasonable accommodations unless they would impose an undue hardship or fundamentally alter the activity. Notable examples include the Americans with Disabilities Act in the United States and the Equality Act in the United Kingdom.

Standards and best practices emphasize inclusion, accessibility, and user-centered design across sectors, from digital accessibility to physical infrastructure. The goal of accommodations is to reduce barriers and support equal access to opportunities and services.