For decades, the federal Fair Housing Act has required new multifamily developments, including apartment buildings, to be accessible to people with disabilities. Developments receiving government funding must also provide a number of highly accessible units meeting the needs of people with mobility, hearing and vision disabilities. Some developers ignore these requirements entirely or try to excuse their noncompliance by claiming that the apartments miss the legal requirements by “just a few inches.” But wheelchairs can’t get through doors that are just “a few inches” too narrow. The extra “few inches” that federal law requires can be the difference between a wheelchair user living in her own apartment instead of a nursing home or other assisted living arrangements.
It’s long past time to develop the accessible housing the law requires!
Relman Colfax works with Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and other disability advocates to identify inaccessible housing and seek remediation. Our actions bring real change to people with disabilities seeking a safe, decent place where they can maintain their independence and dignity.