Handicap Accessibility Standards

Federal standards mandate requirements all states must meet for housing to be considered accessible, but there are exceptions.

Apartment Entrances

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that apartments built after 1990 should be accessible, but federal standards mandate an exception to that.

According to Uniform Accessibility Standards, "In projects where accessible entrances would be costly due to site conditions or local code restrictions, accessible entrances are required only to those buildings containing accessible units."

Elevators

Some people think that elevators are required to make apartments accessible, but that is not the case. "Elevators aren't required when no accessible units are located above or below the accessible grade level and at least one of each type of common area and amenity provided for use of residents and visitors is available at the accessible grade level," according to the federal standards.

Military Housing

Housing for military personnel is another exception to the ADA. The federal standards mentioned above mandate, "at least 5 percent of all housing constructed will be designed and built to be either accessible or readily and easily modifiable to be accessible."

References

• Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards