You may not have to deal with being blocked from reasonable housing accommodations because of a disability. The Fair Housing Act protects people with disabilities from being discriminated against for limitations caused by the disability. Finding out what disability accommodations are available for you may help you know when you can take action. Talk to a Pennsylvania disability attorney to learn more about what your legal options are.

How the Fair Housing Act Protects Disability Rights

The Fair Housing Act protects people with disabilities from being discriminated against or kept from equal access to housing. This covers all housing transactions like buying or renting a home or serving the community as a tenant. Not only that, but the laws under this act also protect people with disabilities from:

• Being treated less favorably than other groups
• To take action against a renter or homeowner because of a disability
• To deny housing because someone has a disability
• To refuse reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities

This act also requires home builders to consider accessibility when designing and constructing new homes. What this can look like is ensuring the entrance is accessible with enough space, ramps, and wide enough spaces in the home like doorways that allow wheelchairs to pass through.

You might be wondering what counts as a disability under these laws. The Fair Housing Act considers almost any physical or mental impairment to be a disability as long as the result is a significant limitation in life activities. Not only may this include physical disabilities, but also hearing, vision, learning, and mental health-related disabilities. In some cases, substance dependence may count.

However, anyone who is considered a threat to property or other people can be denied certain protections under the Fair Housing Act. Try contacting a Pennsylvania disability lawyer to learn more.

What Disability Accommodations Are Available? 

Under the Fair Housing Act, people struggling with disabilities are expected to have access to reasonable accommodations. These reasonable housing accommodations include any reasonable changes or modifications to housing to make housing more accessible for those with disabilities. Common examples of reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities include:

• Modifying strict policies for home purchasing
• Modifying community housing rules
• Physical accessibility through ramps, railings, and lifts
• Grab bars in bathrooms
• Tenants having a ground-floor office
• Allowing assistance animals
• Adjusting rent schedules
• Accessible parking spaces

You may not have to deal with denied access to reasonable accommodations. Consider consulting with a lawyer if you are denied access to housing or are denied reasonable accommodations. A lawyer can help you explore your legal options and take legal action to restore your access to accommodations. Feel free to talk with a disability lawyer about any questions or concerns you may have.

Call Edelstein & Nelson Today

Dealing with limited options with housing due to a disability can be frustrating. Start by asking a Pennsylvania disability lawyer about what your legal options are if you were denied reasonable accommodations for housing. All you have to do is contact Edelstein & Nelson by dialing (800) 300-0909 for a consultation today. Our legal team can help you defend your access to reasonable accommodations.