Fair Housing for the Disabled

One in five Americans have some form of disability. All want to maintain a certain quality of life. Sometimes because of their disabilities that disabled need a little help so that they can enjoy things equally.

This webinar will speak to how to help those who are disabled and not face any discrimination in any form of housing.

Housing providers are required to make a reasonable accommodation in their rules, policies, practices and procedures, and to allow reasonable modifications (changes to the physical structure) for individuals with disabilities. A request need not be in writing, but it is recommended that a request be made in writing so that there is a record of both the request and the date it was sent. When considering a reasonable accommodation/modification request, a housing provider may take only the following into consideration:

• Is the individual for whom the request is made a person with a disability?

What is the definition of a disability? A disability is a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working. It also includes having a record of such an impairment or regarding someone as having such an impairment when they do not.

It is the right of all to be treated equally. Unfortunately, some have physical limitations. These limitations are mitigated by special rights given to them through reasonable modification. These right and additional topics related to the disabled will be covered in this webinar

Webinar Objectives

Fair housing laws require providers to make reasonable accommodations in their rules, policies, practices or services to give a person with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling unit or common space.

Accommodations are “reasonable” when they are practical and feasible. This is the important concept in helping the disabled to enjoy life as  the non disabled. Many disabled individuals face discrimination the housing. Whether they are denied housing out right or face consequences of bias in the property as they are disabled and need some help and consideration.

There are many strategies that can be used and some of them are federally mandated to be put in force. These strategies and making everyone aware of the rules that are in place to help them will be discussed.

Webinar Agenda

We will go over the gamut of issues about disability. There are two types of disability: one is physical, and the other is non-observable. For fair housing purposes, how are they verified and who does the verification. Also, the timeframe of the requests. All facets are pointed in one direction, what we can do for the disabled. How can they have opportunities to enjoy where they live as the non-disabled population has.

Step wise flow of session to help audience understand what pain areas will be covered

Webinar Highlights

There are practical,” real world” examples of HUD cases of  not granting a reasonable accommodation request and the financial repercussions involved.

• Learning all of the protected classes
• Learning about reasonable accommodation
• Learning about reasonable modification
• Who pays for the accommodation
• When can a reasonable accommodation be asked for
• Who pays for OT?
• How long does a landlord have to respond to the request
• On what grounds can it be denied

Who Should Attend

• Owners
• Property managers
• Maintenance staff
• Housing Authorities
• Compliance Staff
• Developers