More Laws

 

Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA)

 

The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in air transportation by domestic and foreign air carriers. It applies only to air carriers that provide regularly scheduled services to the public, and to such issues as boarding assistance and certain accessibility features in newly built aircraft.

 

Complaints under the ACAA can be filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation, or by bringing a lawsuit in Federal court.

To file a complaint, download a form (pdf format)

and send it to:

Aviation Consumer Protection Division
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W. Room 4107, C-75
Washington, D.C. 20590

The toll-free numbers for the aviation consumer disability hotline are 1-800-778-4838 (voice) or 1-800-455-9880 (TTY).

For Additional Information:

"Important Information Concerning New Security Procedures"

Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions, Transportation Security Administration (TSA),

Memorandum, September 25, 2006, Transportation Security Administration, Passengers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions Using Air Transportation.

New Horizons: Information for the Air Traveler with a Disability

A Department of Transportation guide to the Air Carrier Access Act and related DOT regulations.

 

The Fair Housing Act Amendments of 1988

 

The 1968 Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental and financing of dwellings based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin, was amended in 1988 by the Fair Housing Amendments Act. The Amendments:

 

  • Expanded the coverage of the Fair Housing Act to prohibit discrimination based on disability or on familial status. The Act requires owners of housing facilities to make reasonable exceptions in their policies and operations to afford people with disabilities equal housing opportunities. For example, a landlord with a "no pets" policy may be required to grant an exception to this rule and allow an individual who is blind to keep a service animal in the residence.

    The Fair Housing Act also requires landlords to allow tenants with disabilities to make reasonable access-related modifications to their private living space, as well as to common use spaces. The Act further requires that new multifamily housing with four or more units be designed and built to allow access for persons with disabilities. This includes accessible common use areas, doors that are wide enough for wheelchairs, kitchens and bathrooms that allow a person using a wheelchair to maneuver, and other adaptable features within the units.

  • Established new administrative enforcement mechanisms with HUD attorneys bringing actions before administrative law judges on behalf of victims of housing discrimination; and

  • Revised and expanded Justice Department jurisdiction to bring suit on behalf of victims in Federal district courts.

 

The Act also contains design and construction accessibility provisions for certain new multifamily dwellings developed for first occupancy on or after March 13, 1991.

 

For more information or to file a complaint:

 

Office of Program Compliance and Disability Rights Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street, S.W. , Room 5242
Washington, D.C. 20140
http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/disabilities/index.cfm
(800) 669-9777 (voice)
(800) 927-9275 (TTY)

 

Additional Resources

 

U.S. Department of Justice - Fair Housing

 

Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines.

 

Supplement to Notice of Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines: Questions and Answers about the Guidelines.

Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST is an initiative designed to promote compliance with the Fair Housing Act design and construction requirements. The program offers comprehensive and detailed instruction programs, useful online web resources, and a toll-free information line for technical guidance and support.

 

Center for Universal Design - Housing & Built Environments The Center for Universal Design conducts research and provides information and services about various areas of housing, including fair housing practices, home modifications and accessible and universal design features in homes.