Housing - Disabilities Issues

Patricia E. Kefalas Dudek

Advocate for Elders, People
with Disabilities
and Their Families

Disabilities - Housing Issues

Articles, Organizations, Resources

Disabilities Links: ADA/Olmstead • Articles • Assistive Technology • Autism • Autism News • Awards • Blindness • Brain Injury • Cerebral Palsy • Deafness • Disability Rights Movement • Down Syndrome • Education Issues • Employment • Epilepsy • FInancial Issues • Health Care • Housing • Learning (Special Education) • Legal • Misc. • Organizations • People First Language • Resources: (Websites/Blogs) • Self-Determination • Travel •

Home Page

Legal Links
(Related to my
practice areas)

Articles & Publications

Accessibility and Universal Design
Info and reports from the University of Iowa regarding accessibility and universal design in affordable housing in an urban setting and checklists that could be used for new construction or home modifications.

Accessibility Requirements for Buildings (HUD)
The following provides information on the housing accessibility requirements for both private and Federally assisted housing.

Meaning of Homeownership for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
(American Assn. on Mental Retardation - Aug. 2006)
In-personal interviews were conducted with homeowners with disabilities for this study.

Understanding the Fair Housing Amendments Act (United Spinal Assn.)
To help both persons with disabilities and advocates better understand the FHAA. This document explains the law and how to make it work for people with disabilities.

What is Fair Housing? (YourHub.com - 4/2/09)
Questions that are answered daily by the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development.

Organizations & Services

Community Housing Network
A community economic development organization that promotes the economic self-sufficiency and inclusion of people with special needs and people of low to very low income in their communities through home-ownership and access to affordable, desirable housing opportunities and other community resources.

Resources: Websites & Blogs

A Safe Home For Your Family is in Your Hands (Disability Blog)
The Home Safety Council offers these tips as a starting point for families to review each room in their home and make sure they have the basic safety measures in place.

Accessible Housing (Keller Williams Realty)
Real estate agents who specialize in accessible property and working with people with disabilities.

ADA Homematch
Homes and resources for people with disabilities.

Fair Housing News
Provides information regarding current and past Fair Housing litigation. Also see blog.

Information for People With Disabilities (HUD)
This page is designed to answer frequently asked questions on the housing rights of people with disabilities and the responsibilities of housing providers and building and design professionals under federal law.

Service or Companion Animals for Disabled Tenants
If you’re a landlord, you are required to make “reasonable exceptions” to ensure disabled folks are not discriminated against. For example, even with a “no pets” policy, you may be required to make an exception to accommodate a service or companion animal.