NYC Apartments Must Be Wheelchair Accessible
The New York Times reported that developers and landlords could be sued under the fair housing act. Developer and landlords may have to spend millions of dollar to renovate more than 100,000 apartments to comply with federal housing laws requiring wheelchair accessibility.
For the past 20 years, residential developers have followed city laws to make sure apartments are accessible to disabled tenants, but the U.S. attorney's office says many buildings don't abide by the federal Fair Housing Act. Violators of the act can be fined up to $110,000, and courts can order the apartments to be retrofited for disabled tenants.
Last year I worked with a buyer in a wheel chair and most buildings in Manhattan are very un -accessible. Modern buildings are more accessible than pre-wars. Many pre-war building have steps in the lobby. Often the doorman will put a piece of wood over the steps to try and make the lobby accessible to wheelchairs and also strollers and baby carriages.
For the past 20 years, residential developers have followed city laws to make sure apartments are accessible to disabled tenants, but the U.S. attorney's office says many buildings don't abide by the federal Fair Housing Act. Violators of the act can be fined up to $110,000, and courts can order the apartments to be retrofited for disabled tenants.
Last year I worked with a buyer in a wheel chair and most buildings in Manhattan are very un -accessible. Modern buildings are more accessible than pre-wars. Many pre-war building have steps in the lobby. Often the doorman will put a piece of wood over the steps to try and make the lobby accessible to wheelchairs and also strollers and baby carriages.
I believe that these laws should be in place everywhere. We need to get it together and stop discriminating. It is nice to hear that some states are getting with the times!
ReplyDeleteIts a great step for all those handicapped people who use Wheelchairs.
ReplyDeleteIs this true. I live in a six floor walk up with 3 steps outside and 5 more steps inside. Because of that I can't use a wheelchair but I really need to. How do I find out and how do I got started
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