Title: HUD Section 504, Fair Housing and ADA
 1HUD Section 504, Fair Housing and ADA
- Vantoria Clay, Housing and Transportation 
Coordinator  - Endependence Center, Inc. 
 - 6300 E Virginia Beach Blvd 
 - Norfolk, VA 23502 
 - 757-351-1595 
 - 757-461-7527 TDD 
 - 757-461-5375 FAX 
 - VClay_at_endependence.org
 
  2Fair Housing and Related Laws
- Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act 1973 
 - Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 
 - Impact of ADA Title II State  Local Govt and 
Title III Public Accommodations 
  3HUD Section 504 Regulations
- Federally-Assisted Programs, Services and 
Activities  
  4Rehabilitation Act of 1973,Section 504
- Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis 
of disability in any program or activity 
receiving federal financial assistance.  - Whether housing or non-housing 
 - No otherwise qualified individual with handicaps 
in the United Statesshall, solely by reason of 
his/her handicap, be excluded from the 
participation in, be denied the benefits of, or 
be subjected to discrimination under any program 
or activity receiving Federal financial 
assistance or any program or activity conducted 
by any Executive agency or by the United States 
Postal Service.  
  5HUD Section 504
- ? 24 CFR Part 8 
 -  Nondiscrimination Based on Handicap in Federally 
Assisted Programs and Activities Final Rule  -  ? Online 
 - www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/disabilities/sect504docs.
cfm  -  ? Order copy 
 -  Contact HUDs Direct Distribution Center 
 -  800-767-7468 or email on_demand_mail_at_hud.gov 
 -  Order through Centers online ordering system 
 -  www.hud.gov/offices/adm/dds/ 
 -  
 
  6HUD Section 504 Who is covered?
- Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) 
 - Cities and towns that receive funds such as CDBG 
 - Section 8 and other PHA program and activities 
 - Private, HUD-assisted housing providers 
 - Student housing 
 - Military housing 
 - Non-profits developing housing activities with 
 - Section 811, HOME, CDBG, HOPWA, HOPE, Homeless 
Programs  Emergency Shelter Grants, Supportive 
Housing Program, Shelter Plus Care, and SRO 
Moderate Rehab Program  - Any organization receiving funds from HUD 
 
  7Section 504Who is covered? 
cont.
- Private, HUD-assisted housing providers 
 - Multifamily Housing Division 
 - http//www.hud.gov/local/va/working/mf/emaillist.c
fm  - 804-822-4875 
 - -- MFH Inventory Survey of Units for the Elderly 
and Disabled, Mar 2009  - www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/hto/inventorysurvey.cf
m  - Click on Virginia 
 
  8HUD 504What is discrimination?  8.4
- To deny a person with a disability the 
opportunity to participate in or benefit from in 
any program solely on the basis of their 
disability  - What to do?  A housing provider has to provide 
accessible transportation if offers 
transportation to their tenants.  - To benefit from the Section 8 HCV program, a 
person with disability-related barriers that 
prevent him/her from being able to seek housing 
at all or seek housing to the extent as others 
without disabilities would need additional time 
to search.  - A PHA may have a policy that calls for one month 
for initial search and 1 30-day extension and to 
accommodate people with disabilities, the 
individual can receive 1 additional 30-day 
notice.  - Is this an appropriate policy for a reasonable 
accommodation?  
  9HUD 504What is discrimination?  8.4
- To offer people with disabilities an opportunity 
to participate in any housing, program or service 
that is not equal to that afforded to others  - What to do?  Provide the same type and level of 
services. Do not require more sessions/ meetings 
than the home ownership program requires.  
  10HUD 504What is discrimination?  8.4
- Provide a service that is not as effective as 
that provided to others  - Ex  The housing agency provides a section 8 
landlord list but does not include a reasonable 
number of options for accessible housing.  - Ex  the housing agency chooses a location or 
building for housing that is not or cannot be 
altered to be accessible.  - An existing HUD-assisted development is making 
substantial alterations to a mix of 1, 2 and 3 
bedroom units. Should the provider ensure that 1 
bedroom units are accessible?  
  11HUD 504What is discrimination?  8.4
- Provide separate aids or services unless it is 
necessary in order to provide an equal 
opportunity. 
  12HUD 504What is discrimination? ( 8.4 )
- Provide a significant aid or assistance to any 
agency that discriminated on the basis of 
disability  - Ex  A PHA should not provide land or funding to 
a housing developer that does not accommodate 
applicants and tenants with disabilities or is 
not in compliance with FHAA or Section 504 
accessibility requirements.  - What to do? Have the developer to make 
assurances that they will comply with Section 504 
and/or FHAA accessibility requirements.  
  13HUD 504What is discrimination? ( 8.4 )
- Deny a person with a disability the opportunity 
to participate as a member of a planning or 
advisory board  - What to do? Ensure that people with disabilities 
are represented on the PHAs Resident Advisory 
Board, or any boards or committees that a 
federally-assisted agency forms. 
  14HUD 504 CommunicationsSection 8.6
- For program accessibility, an agency must provide 
effective communication.  - For verbal and written communications/material. 
 - All information must be available in alternate 
formats or through an auxiliary aid.  - Examples Sign language interpreters, Braille, 
audio cassette, computer disk, large print, 
personal listening devices (amplifies speech), 
note-taking, etc.  
  15HUD 504 Communications cont.
- Type of alternate format or auxiliary aid 
 - Primary consideration given to individuals 
preference  - if the format would cause a fundamental 
alteration to the program or an undue financial/ 
administrative burden, another format must be 
selected that would be equally effective.  
  16HUD 504 Communications - cont.
- Phone communication 
 - TDD 
 - Virginia Relay 
 - Training on TDD and Virginia Relay 
 
  17HUD 504 Accessibility Standards ( 8.32)
- Accessibility standard used 
 - UFAS  Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards 
 - Facilities site/office for a non-housing program 
 alterations and new construction  - Residential 
 - Common and public areas 
 - Dwelling units (multifamily and home ownership) 
 - Or, other standard that is equal or more strict 
 - Design and New construction 
 - Additions to existing buildings 
 - Alterations and substantial alterations 
 
  18Section 504 UFAS
- Residential 
 - Apartment housing 
 - Federally assisted  minimum of 5 of dwelling 
units, or greater according to a local needs 
assessment  - Federally owned  minimum of 5 of dwelling units 
 - Single family homes and duplexes 
 - Rental  minimum of 5 of the total, or greater 
according to a local needs assessment  - Home ownership  5 of total if built per home 
buyer, accessibility determined by the home 
buyer.  
  19HUD 504 Accessibility Standards
- Published by the Access Board (Architectural, 
Transportation Barriers Compliance Board)  - www.access-board.gov/ufas/ufas-html/ufas.htm 
 - Enforced by HUD 
 - Note bedrooms of accessible dwelling units 
 - UFAS requires at least 2 bedrooms to be on an 
accessible route within the unit  - However, because of HUD 504 regulation to provide 
equal benefit, all bedrooms in an accessible 
dwelling are required to be on an accessible 
route.  
  20HUD Section 504 Program AccessExisting Programs
- If the recipient has a facility or housing that 
is not accessible, people with disabilities 
cannot be excluded from accessing, participating 
in or benefiting from a federally-assisted 
program or activity. -- Section 8.20  -  Non-housing facilities 
 - Facilities existing at time HUD regulations were 
published in 1988  - Alterations, other methods and Transition Plans 
 - Locating an existing facility 
 - New construction 
 - - Housing buildings and dwelling units 
 - Alterations 
 - Substantial alterations 
 - Transition Plan 
 
  21Program Accessibility Non-housing programs
- Non-housing facilities 
 - Alterations  to the maximum extent feasible be 
made readily accessible to and usable by people 
with disabilities.  - That does not impose an undue administrative and 
financial burden on the operation of the program 
or activity.  
  22Program Accessibility Non-housing programs
- A program or activity has to be viewed in its 
entirety to determine whether it is accessible to 
people with disabilities  - Not every non-housing facility has to be made 
accessible  - Applies to existing programs at the time HUD 504 
regulations were made final. 
  23Program Accessibility Non-housing programs
- Other ways to make a program accessible 
 - Recipient can relocate its program to another 
building that is accessible  - Currently owns acquire new building or 
new-construct  - Relocate program to another floor or area of the 
building that is accessible  - Make alterations to a certain area or rooms of 
the building to be accessed by the public  - Make home visits 
 
  24Program Accessibility Non-housing programs
- In selecting methods, the agency must ensure that 
the program or activity is provided in the most 
integrated setting  - If the program involves group sessions, consider 
that location to be made accessible or relocate 
the sessions to another location vs. meeting 
individuals with disabilities separately at 
another location. 
  25Impact of equal access, benefit and participation 
in Program Accessibility
- Now that HUDs 504 implementation regulations 
have been around since 1988, agencies and housing 
providers should be familiar with the need for 
physical access to support program accessibility.  - HUD 504 regulation requires under the 
discrimination prohibited section  - In determining a site or location to operate a 
federally-assisted program, should not make 
selections which would exclude people with 
disabilities or deny the benefits of. 
  26Program Accessibility Existing Housing  
Transition Plans
- If private, HUD-assisted provider is to make 
structural modifications (Sec 8.24)  - Recipients had to develop a transition plan  
which initially was due by Jan 1989.  - Must continue to update Transition Plans as 
barriers are identified through self-evaluations.  - Transition Plans are required to be made 
available for public review. 
  27Program Accessibility Transition Plans 
 cont.
- Identify physical obstacles 
 - Describe in details the methods that will be used 
to make the facilities accessible  - Specify the schedule for taking the steps needed 
to remove physical obstacles  - Indicate the staff person responsible in 
overseeing the plan  - Identify the persons or groups involved in 
preparation for the plan. 
  28Public Housing AgenciesTransition Plan and 
Needs Assessment
- Assess the needs of current tenants and 
applicants for accessible units to determine how 
many accessible units are needed.  - Continue to be encouraged by HUD to conduct a 
needs assessment at least annually.  - Work with people with disabilities and advocacy 
groups.  - Were to develop a transition plan to show what 
will be done over the next 4 years.  
  29Self-Evaluation PlanAll assisted programs 
 (8.51)
- Required by Section 504 
 - If state and locally funded, ADA Title II 
 - Agency is required to consult with people with 
disabilities and advocate groups  - Evaluate all policies and procedures to identify 
any discrimination and to ensure program 
accessibility  - Review employment policies 
 - Review of housing policies
 
  30Self-Evaluation Plan cont.
- Rewrite those policies that do not meet 504 
requirements  - Write corrective action plan and take corrective 
steps to remedy the discrimination  
  31Self-Evaluation Plan cont.
- Areas to be evaluated 
 - Buildings or facilities for physical 
accessibility  - Program outreach and communication 
 - Eligibility and admission criteria and practice 
 - Distribution and Occupancy policy and practice 
 - Percentage of accessible units 
 - Employment (including pre-employment) 
 - Complaint processing procedure 
 
31 
 32Program AccessibilityHousing Programs
- New Construction  Section 8.22 
 - Housing built after 1988 rental and sales 
 - A minimum of 5 of the total of the dwelling 
units or least one unit whichever is greater, 
shall be designed and constructed to be 
accessible for persons with mobility impairments. 
 An additional 2 of the units (but not less than 
one unit) shall be accessible to persons with 
vision or hearing impairments. 
  33Program AccessibilityHousing Programs
- Existing Housing Facilities  (as of June 1988) 
 - Substantial alterations  Section 8.23 (a) 
 -  If alterations are undertaken to a project that 
has 15 or more units and the cost of the 
alterations is 75 or more of the replacement 
cost of the completed facility, then the 
provisions of 8.22 for new construction shall 
apply.  -   apply UFAS accessibility standards (or 
stricter)  - Dwelling units 
 - Common and public areas 
 
  34Program AccessibilityHousing Programs
- Other alterationsSection 8.23 (b) 
 - Other alterations made to dwelling units and 
common areas must, to the maximum extent 
feasible, be made accessible.  - Up to the point where it would not impose an 
undue financial and administrative burden  - For example, if the front entrance was renovated, 
instead of replacing the 2 steps, the entrance 
walkway should be graded.  - If alterations include both kitchen and bathroom 
then entire unit must be made accessible, 
including entrance door.  
  35Need for more than 5 percent accessible units
- For both new construction and alterations to 
existing housing  - A recipient of a federally-assisted housing 
activity may request to HUD to make more than 
minimum required amount accessible based upon 
documentation showing need (using census data or 
other current data).  
  36Program Accessibility  Housing Providers
- Accessible units should be evenly distributed 
throughout the different sites, to include 
comparable number of bedroom sizes and amenities  - Advertising and outreach to people with 
disabilities  - Maximize the use of available accessible units 
 - Lease agreements for renters without disabilities 
occupying accessible units 
  37Program Accessibility Reasonable Accommodations
- Must provide reasonable accommodations 
 - Make a change, adaptation or modification to a 
rule, policy, practice, procedures or to a 
workplace which will allow a person with a 
disability to participate fully in a program, to 
use and enjoy a dwelling unit, common and public 
areas, take advantage of a service, or perform a 
job.  - Examples 
 - Assisting an individual with limited mobility 
with filling out an application.  - Home visit if the person has no transportation to 
get to the facility or site.  
  38Program Accessibility Reasonable Accommodations
- Mail a rental or program application to the 
individual who is not able to come to the site 
because of their disability.  - Provide services in another location that is 
served by paratransit.  - Accepting a professional or personal reference if 
an applicant does not have a recent rental 
reference after being in a nursing home for 
several years.  - Post reminders on apartment door for rent due for 
a tenant with a brain injury.  - Unit modifications  ramps, grab bars, wall-hung 
bath sink, automatic door opener  - Assigning a larger sized unit to accommodate a 
live-in aide.  
  39Reasonable accommodation requests
- Who covers costs for reasonable accommodations? 
 - Housing provider or the agency operating the 
program, activity or service  - What is reasonable? 
 - Will not impose an undue financial and 
administrative burden on the agency/housing 
provider  - Will not result in a fundamental alteration in 
the nature of the program or operations  - Ex  a request to provide housekeeping services 
which are not already included in the housing 
program  
  40Reasonable Accommodations
- If the request is determined to be unreasonable, 
the agency or housing provider can offer another 
accommodation.  - Will need to meet the needs of the individual. 
 - Or, the individual can request another type of 
accommodation.  - Staff needs to be aware that the individual may 
not use the term reasonable accommodation when 
requesting an accommodation. 
  41Section 8 HCV Program Program Accessibility
- Ensure that public notices and advertisements 
reach people with disabilities.  - Send to organizations and interest and advocate 
groups that assist people with disabilities.  - Include nursing homes, long-stay hospitals and 
ICFs/MR.  - Provide various ways to advertise  internet, 
churches, social service programs, senior service 
agencies, libraries, etc.  
  42Section 8 HCV Program Program Accessibility
- Encourage owners with accessible units to 
participate  - Single family homes  constructed or modified 
 - Apartments  buildings with 4 or more units 
constructed after March 1991 are to meet FHAA 
accessibility requirements  - Older apartments  modified by owner or previous 
tenant  - Educate owners on value of accessibility as an 
incentive to modifying existing housing  
  43Section 8 HCV Program Program Accessibility
- Include accessible housing in the current housing 
referral list  - In most cases, which is required, the Section 8 
worker will need to assist the individual in 
locating an available accessible unit.  
  44Section 8 HCV Program Program Accessibility
- Agency is required to provide search extensions 
to accommodate those having difficulty with 
locating accessible housing.  - An accommodation can include allowing the 
individual to port the voucher to another 
location.  - To promote Money Follows the Person, HUD 
encourages agencies to modify policies to include 
a longer initial search time for individuals 
transitioning from nursing homes and other 
institutions (HUD PIH Notice 2005-05). 
  45Section 8 HCV Program Program Accessibility
- The only option for an accessible housing could 
be for a unit that has a higher rent than what 
the payment standard allows  - The agency is required to request an exception 
above 110 of the FMR to the HUD field office.  - Above 120 to the Headquarters office. 
 - Required to contract with landlords assuring that 
they will not discriminate applicants and renters 
on the basis of disability. 
  46Section 8 HCV Program Program Accessibility
- It is recommended that Section 8 workers be 
knowledgeable of FHA protections concerning 
illegal questioning, providing reasonable 
accommodations, permitting reasonable 
modifications and if new construction, meeting 
FHAA accessibility requirements.  - To effectively ensure that a HCV recipient has 
equal opportunity to housing and able to fully 
use and enjoy the dwelling thereby, have 
opportunity to benefit from the Section 8 
program.  
  47Section 504 Policy Evaluation and Grievance 
Procedures
- Designate 504 Coordinator - Section 8.53 
 - Federally-assisted entities with 15 or more 
employees must designate at least one employee to 
oversee its compliance with Section 504. 
Grievance procedures must be established for 
recipients of federal assistance.  
  48HUD Section 504 Resources on CD
- HUD PIH Notice 2006-13  Non-Discrimination and 
Accessibility For Persons with Disabilities  - Reasonable Accommodation Resource Guide, M Yohe, 
Office of Public Housing, US HUD  - HUD Notice H 01-02  compliance with Section 504 
and the Disability/Accessibility Provisions of 
the FHA of 1988 (private, MFH providers)  
  49Fair Housing Amendments Act
- Disability Related Provisions
 
  50Fair Housing ActProtections for People with 
Disabilities
- Illegal Inquiries 
 - it is illegal to inquire whether a person has a 
disability  - to make an inquiry as to the nature or severity 
of a persons disability  
  51Fair Housing ActProtections for People with 
Disabilities
- Do you take medications? 
 - Why do you receive SSI? 
 - Have you been in a drug rehab program? 
 - Do you have a disability? 
 - Are you able to live independently? 
 - Are you sure you can live alone?
 
  52Fair Housing ActProtections for People with 
Disabilities
- Certain questions are permitted only if they are 
asked of all applicants  - Whether the person can meet the requirements of 
ownership or tenancy  - Whether the person is qualified for housing that 
is designated only to persons with disabilities 
or to persons with particular types of 
disabilities  - In assisted housing, HUD permits designated 
housing for people with physical disabilities, 
developmental disabilities, or chronic mental 
illness. 
  53Fair Housing ActProtections for People with 
Disabilities
- The Act does not protect a person whose 
disability  - would constitute a direct threat to the health 
and safety of other individuals  - must be supported with recent, credible, 
objective evidence  - would result in substantial physical damage to 
the property of others  
  54Fair Housing ActProtections for People with 
Disabilities
- Right to request a reasonable accommodation 
 - it is illegal to refuse to make reasonable 
accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or 
services, when such accommodations may be 
necessary to afford such person equal opportunity 
to use and enjoy a dwelling  - to include public and common use areas
 
  55Reasonable Accommodations
- Examples 
 - Reserved accessible parking space 
 - Notification in advance for tenant with chemical 
sensitivity of painting and pest treatments.  - Waiving parking fees for personal assistant. 
 - A landlord assists an applicant with a cognitive 
disability in completing an application.  - A landlord makes an exception of the no pet 
policy for a tenant who needs a service animal.  
  56Reasonable Accommodations
- When requesting an accommodation, person must 
show  - has a disability as defined in the Act 
 - notify the landlord that they have a disability 
(if necessary, doctors note for verification)  - Why the request is necessary to be able to use 
and enjoy the dwelling  - Example  because of my disability, would not be 
able to live in the dwelling without their 
service animal. 
  57Reasonable Accommodations
- Other facts 
 - To ignore or deny an accommodation request is 
illegal  - A person with a disability can request more than 
one accommodation during their tenancy 
  58Reasonable Accommodations
- A housing provider can only deny an accommodation 
request if  - the request would impose an undue burden 
 -  an unreasonable financial or administrative 
burden  - look at the overall financial resources available 
to the provider  - it would cause a fundamental alteration 
 - a significant change in the nature of services 
provided (for instance, the housing provider 
paying for home care services, taking care of a 
pet for someone who could not because of their 
disability).  
  59Reasonable Accommodations
- Can be requested 
 - While applying for housing -- 
 - an accommodation can be requested that would help 
you meet tenancy requirements to qualify as a 
tenant  - An applicant may not have regular tenant 
histories because they have been living in a 
nursing home for several years. They can request 
accommodation to provide a letter from a service 
provider assuring the landlord that the person is 
 reliable to pay the rent on time. 
  60Reasonable Accommodations
- When the tenant is being evicted because of a 
lease violation  - tenant has to show that the lease violation or 
behavior was caused by his disability  - the accommodation has to enable the tenant to 
comply with the lease  - Example, acquire treatment that would resolve 
disturbing and threatening behavior to other 
tenants. 
  61Reasonable Accommodations
- During tenancy 
 - If tenant becomes disabled or disability becomes 
more severe, they may need to move to an 
accessible or ground floor apartment.  - Can request to transfer lease and security 
deposit to another unit.  - Can request to be permitted to terminate the 
lease with loss of security deposit and other 
penalties.  
  62Reasonable Modifications
- Right to request a reasonable modification 
 - It is illegal for any person to refuse to permit, 
at the expense of a person with a disability, 
reasonable modifications of existing premises 
occupied or to be occupied by such person if such 
modifications may be necessary to afford such 
person full enjoyment of the premises, except 
that, in the case of a rental, the landlord may 
where it is reasonable to do so condition 
permission for a modification on the renter 
agreeing to restore the interior of the premises 
to the condition that existed before the 
modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted.  
  63Reasonable Modifications
- Modification - means any change to the public or 
common areas of a building or any change to a 
dwelling unit.  - At the tenants expense 
 - May be required to make restorations.
 
  64Reasonable Modifications
- The tenant does not have to restore all 
modifications.  - Example a widened doorway would not interfere 
with the next tenants use of the apartment.  - Modifications made to the public and common areas 
are not required to be restored. 
  65Reasonable Modifications
- Tenant has to ensure that the work will be done 
in a workmanlike fashion.  - For interior modifications, the tenant may be 
required to establish an escrow account to cover 
the costs of restoring major changes (that would 
interfere with the next tenants use of the unit) 
to its original condition such as restoring 
kitchen cabinets to their original height. 
  66Reasonable Modifications
- If the next tenant wishes to keep the 
modifications in place then the landlord is 
required to return the escrow deposit to the 
previous tenant.  - It is recommended that modifications remain in 
place to increase options for accessible housing 
and because there is a demand for these features. 
  67Fair Housing ActDesign and Construction 
Requirements
- Applies to multifamily dwellings with four or 
more units which were constructed for first 
occupancy on or after March 13, 1991.  - Design and construction requirements apply to the 
following  - all dwelling units in buildings containing 4 or 
more units if the buildings have one or more 
elevators  - all ground floor dwelling units in other 
buildings containing 4 or more units (no elevator) 
  68Design and Construction Requirements
- Buildings that are not covered 
 - Detached single family homes 
 - Duplexes or triplexes 
 - Multistory townhouses (this is because the entire 
unit is not on the ground floor)  
  69Design and Construction Requirements
- If the building contains multistory townhouses 
and single story units, the building as a whole 
is covered under the FHA, which means that the 
single story units on the ground floor have to be 
in compliance and all single story if there is an 
elevator.  
  70Design and Construction Requirements
- A multistory unit would be covered if it contains 
an elevator that provides access to the different 
levels of the townhouse.  - If the entry level of the multistory unit has 
access to a public elevator, then that level must 
comply to accessibility requirements.  
  71Design and Construction Requirements
- HUD has adopted 7 safe harbors for 
accessibility standards  - ANSI A117.1 (1986, 1992, 1998) 
 - HUD FHAAG (issued 1991) 
 - The Fair Housing Act Design Manual (1998) 
 - Code Requirements for Housing Accessibility 2000 
 - International Building Code 2000 with 2001 
Supplement  
  72Design and Construction Requirements
- Meeting the Guidelines cannot be considered fully 
accessible however it does give people with 
disabilities greater freedom to choose where they 
live. 
  73Design and Construction Requirements7 Technical 
Requirements 
- 1. An accessible building entrance on an 
accessible route  - if there are separate entrances for ground floor 
units, each entrance must be accessible.  - if there are common entrances to a multi-unit 
building, at least one entrance--primarily used 
by residents for entering the building--must be 
accessible.  
  74Design and Construction Requirements7 Technical 
Requirements
- An accessible entrance must be located on a route 
that a person in a wheelchair can easily travel, 
and must lead to and from meaningful locations 
such as parking, dumpsters, public 
transportation, other buildings in the complex, 
and amenities such as laundry rooms and 
recreational facilities. 
  75Design and Construction Requirements7 Technical 
Requirements
- 2. Accessible public and common use areas 
 - Parking areas, passenger loading areas, lobbies, 
lounges, halls and corridors, elevators, public 
restrooms, and rental or sales offices must be 
accessible.  - Drinking fountains, mailboxes, laundry rooms, 
community and exercise rooms, swimming pools, 
playgrounds, recreation facilities and nature 
trails must be accessible.  
  76Design and Construction Requirements7 Technical 
Requirements
- At least half of the drinking fountains should be 
accessible. 
  77Design and Construction Requirements7 Technical 
Requirements
- Bathrooms in a public area must be accessible 
with grab bars and maneuvering space. 
  78Design and Construction Requirements7 Technical 
Requirements
- Dumpster should be accessible. 
 
  79Design and Construction Requirements7 Technical 
Requirements
- Usable doors 
 - Doors must be wide enough to enable a person in 
wheelchair to maneuver through them easily.  - Public and common use doors, doors leading into 
an individual dwelling unit, and all doors within 
the unit are included.  - Doors must have a minimum clear opening width of 
32 inches (measure from face of the door to the 
stop, with the door open 90 degrees).  
  80Design and Construction Requirements7 Technical 
Requirements
- Usable doors (cont.) 
 - All types of doors are covered, including hinged 
doors, sliding doors and folding doors.  - Doors leading to any outdoor amenities the unit 
may have, such as a balcony, patio or garage, are 
covered. If a deck or garage has doorways 
leading to two or more separate rooms, all these 
doors must be usable.  
  81Design and Construction Requirements7 Technical 
Requirements
- 4. Accessible routes into and through the 
dwelling unit.  - The threshold of a units exterior doors may not 
ex-ceed 3/4 inch (this also applies to sliding 
door tracks).  - In single-story units, changes in height of 1/4 
to 1/2 inch must be beveled. Those greater than 
1/2 inch must be ramped or have other means of 
access.  - An accessible route inside the unit must have a 
minimum clear width of 36 inches.  - Hallways, passages, and corridors must be wide 
enough to allow room to maneuver a wheelchair 
throughout the unit.  
  82Design and Construction Requirements7 Technical 
Requirements
- 5. Light switches, electrical outlets, 
thermostats, and other environmental controls in 
accessible locations  - Controls must be no lower than 15 inches from the 
floor and no higher than 48 inches.  - 6. Reinforced walls in the bathrooms 
 - To allow later installation of grab bars around 
the toilet, tub, shower and shower seat.  
  83Design and Construction Requirements7 Technical 
Requirements
- Kitchen and bathrooms such that an individual in 
a wheelchair can maneuver about the space.  - Appliances must be located so they can be used by 
a person in a wheelchair. A 30 inch by 48 inch 
clear floor space is required for a parallel or 
forward approach. 
  84Design and Construction Requirements7 Technical 
Requirements
- A minimum of 40 inches of clear space is required 
in kitchens to allow a person in a wheelchair to 
maneuver between opposing base cabinets, 
countertops, appliances, or walls. 
  85Design and Construction Requirements7 Technical 
Requirements
- A U-shaped design requires a minimum of 5 feet in 
diameter clear space, or removable cabinets at 
the base of the U.  - OR have removable cabinets under the sink with 40 
inches between opposing counters. 
  86Design and Construction RequirementsUsable 
Kitchens and Bathrooms 
- Enough clear floor space is required in bathrooms 
so that a person in a wheelchair can easily 
enter, close the door, use the facilities and 
fixtures, and leave. 
  87Fair Housing Resources
- Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 
 -  42 USC  3601 et seq. 
 -  Implementing Regulation 
 -  24 CFR Part 14 et al. 
 - Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
 -  29 USC  794 
 -  Implementing Regulation 
 -  24 CFR Part 8 
 
  88Fair Housing Resources (cont.)
- DOJ/HUD Joint Statement Reasonable 
Accommodations Under the FHA  - DOJ/HUD Joint Statement Reasonable 
Modifications Under the FHA 
  89Fair Housing and Related Laws
- Impact of Title II of ADA (State and Local Govt) 
 - Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990  newest 
federal law that prohibits discrimination based 
on disability  - Title II covers housing programs, activities and 
services operated by state or local governments 
(for example, public housing, student housing 
operated by state colleges and universities)  - Ensures integration for people with disabilities 
 
  90Fair Housing and Related Laws
- Impact of Title II of ADA (State and Local Govt) 
 - Lack of physical access is discrimination 
 - These programs must follow UFAS or ADAAG as 
accessibility standard  - requires new construction and alterations to be 
free of architectural barriers.  - each part of a facility built or altered after 
January 26, 1992 must be designed and constructed 
to be accessible.  - Requirements for effective communication, 
reasonable accommodations, program accessibility, 
self-evaluations and transition plans are similar 
to HUD 504.  
  91Fair Housing and Related Laws
Impact of Title III of ADA (Public Accommodations)
- Public accommodations under Title III must be 
accessible to people with disabilities  (in 
housing they would be places that serve the 
public and not tenants only   - sales or rental office, laundry facilities, 
tennis courts, recreation rooms, day care 
centers, or pool areas.  - Buildings constructed for use after January 26, 
1993  must be accessible. 
  92Fair Housing and Related LawsImpact of Title III 
of ADA (Public Accommodations)
- Existing buildings and offices must have physical 
barriers removed.  - entrance, doors, parking and restrooms 
accessible.  - Alterations (include renovations, repair, 
remodeling) made after Jan 26, 1992 to buildings 
and offices must be made accessible.  - lobby, bathrooms, etc. 
 
  93Fair Housing and Related Laws
Title II and III of ADA
- Enforcement 
 -  US Dept of Justice, Disability Rights 
Section, Civil Rights Division, P O Box 66738, 
Washington, DC 20035-6738.  - Accessibility standards 
 - Title II covered entities must use UFAS or ADAAG 
 - Title III entities must use ADAAG