Ensuring Accessible Housing for People with Disabilities

What do we mean by ensuring access for people with

disabilities?• According to the Americans with Disabilities Act

(ADA), “the term ‘disability’ means an individual has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of his/her major life activities or there is a record of such an impairment or an individual is regarded as having such an impairment.”

Types of disabilities include:• Physical• Neurological• Developmental• Psychological• Alcoholism

Types of access include:

• Physical access• Access to communication and information• Access to services• Access to employment• Access to education

Why try to ensure access for people with disabilities?

• In many countries, it’s the law. • It’s a matter of fairness and respect. • Failing to do so wastes talent and energy. • It makes good business and economic sense. • Many people with disabilities already have a difficult life. • People with disabilities add to the diversity of the

community, and that diversity makes everyone’s life richer. • Access for people with disabilities improves access for

everyone.

When should you try to ensure access for people with

disabilities?• When new public facilities are being designed and/or built. • When there’s an addition, renovation, or repair made to a

public facility. • When a historic building is rehabilitated for a public use. • When a community group is working on improving or

rehabilitating a public facility or space. • When an organization, institution, or agency that provides

services or education is moving or renovating its facility. • When there are complaints about lack of access.

Who should ensure access for people with disabilities?

• People with disabilities themselves• Organizations concerned with disability rights• Legislators other public officials• Enforcing agencies• Employers• Educators • Organizations that provide services• The court system, when necessary• Architects and planners• Developers

How do you ensure access for people with disabilities?

• Changing attitudes and educating the public, as well as policymakers, architects and planners, and others about the realities, needs, and rights of people with disabilities may be the most important step.

• Demand reasonable accommodation for all types of access.

• Tax credits can help make accommodations affordable.

Physical access means access to:

• Public facilities• Federal, state, and local government

facilities• Outdoor spaces• Public ways• Public transportation

Access to communication and information means making

accessible or providing:• Signs, posters, and other similar features• Announcements• Telephones• ASL interpretation• Readers• Internet• Television• Concerts and theater performances

• In the U.S., people with disabilities cannot be denied access to services for which they’re eligible.

• Reasonable accommodations must result in a service that’s equivalent to that which is offered to other eligible participants, although it doesn’t have to be exactly the same in all respects.

• Employers cannot refuse to hire someone because of a disability if that person is the best-qualified for a job, except when the disability would make it impossible for the person to do the job.

• An employer may fire someone with a disability because of poor job performance if other employees in the same situation would be treated the same way.

• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act guarantees every child ages 6-21 the right to a free public education that meets his needs in the least restrictive environment possible.

• In both public and private post-secondary institutions, ADA requires non-discrimination in admissions and accommodation for admitted undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities.

Advocate for the rights and needs of people with disabilities:

• Demand enforcement of existing laws and regulations.• Work with legislators, and their aides to pass laws that

guarantee equality of access and opportunity to people with disabilities.

• Work with architects, planners, developers, and interior designers to make them aware of the concerns and needs of people with disabilities.

• Enlist the media to help change attitudes and expectations.• Call attention to lack of access whether you have a

disability or not. • Keep at it indefinitely.