Training Program

The Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST training curriculum was developed by a team of architects and other Fair Housing Act accessibility experts to provide critical information on various Fair Housing Act accessibility related subject matters. The curriculum includes general information, as well as more specific technical information regarding the design and construction requirements, other disability rights laws, and enforcement.

The training curriculum consists of nine modules that can be presented individually or in any combination. The following is a listing and description of the 9 modules:

Fair Housing Act Accessibility Requirements Overview (1 or 3 hour option)

Disability Rights Laws

Fair Housing Act Enforcement

Strategies for Compliant Kitchens

Strategies for Compliant Bathrooms

Common Design and Construction Violations and Solutions

Accessible Routes

Accessible Public and Common-Use Areas

A description of each module is located below.

Fair Housing Act Accessibility Requirements Overview (1 or 3 hour options)
This module provides an overview of the accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act, including a detailed look at the seven technical requirements. It supplies participants key information and resources needed to successfully understand and comply with the accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act.

The Fair Housing Act Accessibility Requirements Overview module is offered both at a high level in a one hour session and more comprehensive three hour session.

What is Covered?

History of the Fair Housing Act

Fair Housing Act scoping and coverage

Related disability rights laws

Seven design and construction technical requirements

Resources to aid in compliance

Who Should Attend?

Anyone with an interest in the accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act

Attorneys

Architects and Designers

Civil Engineers and Landscape Architects

Contractors

Developers and Builders

Disability and Housing Advocates

Enforcement Officials

Housing Consumers

Property Owners and Managers

How Will You Benefit? You will:

Increase your understanding of the Fair Housing Act and its accessibility requirements

Enhance your knowledge of related disability rights laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act

Gain specific knowledge of the seven design and construction requirements

Learn strategies for compliance

Obtain resources to aid you in compliance

Disability Rights Laws (1 hour and 30 minutes)
This module provides an overview of the major disability rights laws and their relationship to the Fair Housing Act. It imparts to participants critical information regarding the application of multiple accessibility standards, as well as special issues involved in access requirements.

What is Covered?

Detailed history and coverage of key laws addressing disability rights and accessibility, including the Fair Housing Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Architectural Barriers Act, and more

Relationship of other disability rights laws to the Fair Housing Act

Who Should Attend?

Anyone with an interest in the disability rights laws

Attorneys

Developers and Builders

Disability and Housing Advocates

Enforcement Officials

Property Owners and Managers

How Will You Benefit? You will:

Gain an understanding of the key laws that protect people with disabilities and who is covered by those laws

Expand your knowledge of the standard or standards for accessibility that have been adopted for each law

Develop an awareness of the concepts of reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications and their relationship to accessibility

Maximize your understanding of the application of multiple standards to the same property

Obtain resources to aid you in compliance

Fair Housing Act Enforcement (1 hour and 30 minutes)
This module provides a comprehensive look at all aspects of enforcement of the Fair Housing Act, as well as other disability rights laws. Not only will participants gather important information about enforcement processes and procedures, they will also learn typical defenses in Fair Housing Act cases and real-life investigation methods and techniques.

What is Covered?

Overview of the federal, state, and/or private enforcement processes and actions for the Fair Housing Act and other accessibility laws

Typical defenses for Fair Housing Act violations and why they may not be upheld

Relevant Fair Housing Act cases

Who Should Attend?

Anyone with an interest in enforcement of disability rights laws

Attorneys

Developers and Builders

Disability and Housing Advocates

Enforcement Officials

Property Owners and Managers

How Will You Benefit? You will:

Develop awareness of common settlements in Fair Housing Act violations cases

Learn to identify appropriate remedies for Fair Housing Act violations

Strengthen your knowledge of key concepts and terms related to the Fair Housing Act

Develop insight into relevant case laws

Obtain resources to aid you in compliance

Strategies for Compliant Kitchens (1 hour and 30 minutes)
This module provides an in depth overview of the technical specifications for kitchens under the accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act. Not only will participants become familiar with the design specifications, they will also learn useful strategies for creating attractive compliant kitchens.

What is Covered?

Dimensional specifications and clearances required by Fair Housing Act Requirement 7 for kitchens

Elements of kitchen design and construction that are subject to Fair Housing Act specifications and requirements

Other Fair Housing Act requirements that apply to kitchens

Strategies and tips for creating attractive compliant kitchens

Who Should Attend?

Architects and Designers

Contractors

Developers and Builders

Disability and Housing Advocates

How Will You Benefit? You will:

Enhance your understanding of the technical requirements for kitchens under the Fair Housing Act

Gain practical knowledge to apply when designing kitchens

Learn strategies and tips for creating attractive compliant kitchens

Obtain resources to aid you in compliance

Strategies for Compliant Bathrooms (1 hour and 30 Minutes)
This module provides an in depth synopsis of the technical specifications for bathrooms under the accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act. Participants will become familiar with the design specifications and learn useful strategies for creating appealing compliant bathrooms.

What is Covered?

Dimensional specifications and clearances required by Fair Housing Act Requirement 7 for bathrooms

Elements of bathroom design and construction that are subject to Fair Housing Act specifications and requirements

Other Fair Housing Act requirements that apply to bathrooms

Strategies and tips for creating easy and attractive compliant bathrooms

Who Should Attend?

Architects and Designers

Contractors

Developers and Builders

Disability and Housing Advocates

How Will You Benefit? You will:

Enhance your understanding of the technical requirements for bathrooms under the Fair Housing Act

Gain practical knowledge to apply when designing bathrooms

Learn strategies and tips for creating attractive compliant bathrooms

Obtain resources to aid you in compliance

Accessible Routes (1 hour and 30 minutes)
This module takes an extensive look at Requirement 1 of the Fair Housing Act, Accessible Entrance on an Accessible Route. Not only will participants learn strategies for creating accessible routes according to the Act, they will strengthen their knowledge of accessible site design.

What is Covered?

The Fair Housing Act design and construction requirements

Detailed specifications for Requirement 1: Accessible Entrance on an Accessible Route

Site Impracticality and relevant tests that can be applied to ensure compliance

Types of facilities that are covered and must have an Accessible Route

Who Should Attend?

Architects and Designers

Contractors

Civil Engineers and Landscape Architects

Developers and Builders

Disability and Housing Advocates

How Will You Benefit? You will:

Increase your understanding of Fair Housing Act, Requirement 1, and related guiding principles

Understand how to design an accessible entrance on an accessible route in compliance with the Fair Housing Act

Understand the issues related to site impracticality

Learn to apply the two site impracticality tests

Gain strategies and tips for designing attractive accessible routes

Obtain resources to aid you in compliance

Accessible Public and Common-Use Areas (1 hour and 30 minutes)
This module presents a comprehensive look at the accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act related to Public and Common-Use. Participants will gain insight into the technical specifications for accessible public and common-use areas and strategies for creating them. They will also strengthen their knowledge of how to provide an accessible route to the various public and common-use areas covered under the Fair Housing Act.

What is Covered?

The Fair Housing Act and its requirements

Detailed specifications for Requirement 2: Accessible Public and Common-Use Areas

Types of facilities that are considered public and common-use areas that are subject to compliance

Who Should Attend?

Architects and Designers

Contractors

Civil Engineers and Landscape Architects

Developers and Builders

Disability and Housing Advocates

How Will You Benefit? You will:

Increase your understanding of Fair Housing Act, Requirements 2, and related guiding principles

Understand what public and common-use areas are covered by the Fair Housing Act

Gain strategies and tips for designing compliant public and common-use areas

Obtain resources to aid you in compliance

Common Design and Construction Violations and Solutions (1 hour and 30 minutes)
This module examines the most common design and construction violations of the Fair Housing Act and offers appropriate remedies for correcting these problems. Participants will be provided with practical and feasible solutions to the most common mistakes that can be made during design and construction.

What is Covered?

Overview of the seven design and construction requirements of the Fair Housing Act

Common violations of each of the seven design and construction requirements

Effects that violations have on persons with disabilities

Actions to take to correct and avoid common violations

Who Should Attend?

Advocates

Developer and Builders

Disability and Housing Advocates

Enforcement Agencies

Property Owners and Managers

How Will You Benefit? You will:

Enhance your knowledge of the seven design and construction requirements of the Fair Housing Act

Learn how to identify violations, avoid violations, and ultimately fix a violation with realistic solutions

Gain an awareness of the effects of non-compliance on persons with disabilities

Obtain resources to aid you in compliance

For more information on our training program, please see our Training Materials, Training Spotlight and Training Calendar pages!