January 2019 Coach’s Quiz
We’ve given you seven rules to help you avoid fair housing trouble when dealing with individuals with mobility impairments. Now let’s look at how the rules might apply in the real world. Take the Coach’s Quiz to see what you have learned.
INSTRUCTIONS: Each of the following questions has only one correct answer. On a separate piece of paper, write down the number of each question, followed by the answer you think is correct—for example, (1) b, (2) a, and so on.
QUESTION #1
When a prospect in a wheelchair asks about available two-bedroom units, you may recommend accessible or ground-floor units because you can see that he’s obviously disabled. True or false?
a. True.
b. False.
QUESTION #2
Although your community has a policy of providing unassigned parking, an applicant says she wants an assigned parking space near the building entrance because of a disability. She doesn’t use a cane or appear to have any difficulty walking, but you could trigger fair housing trouble if you ignore her request. True or false?
a. True.
b. False.
QUESTION #3
An applicant who uses a motorized scooter due to a mobility impairment wants to rent a ground-floor unit, but he says he needs a ramp to the building entrance. You should grant his request to build the ramp at his expense as a reasonable modification, if he provides the necessary documentation and assurances about the proposed ramp. True or false?
a. True.
b. False.
QUESTION #4
Your community was built in the 1980s, before the FHA’s design and construction standards took effect, so you shouldn’t worry about the steps leading to your building’s main entrance. True or false?
a. True.
b. False.
COACH’S ANSWERS & EXPLANATIONS
QUESTION #1
Correct answer: b
Reason: Rule #1 applies here:
Rule #1: Don’t Discriminate Against Individuals with Mobility Impairments
Under the FHA, it’s unlawful to make housing unavailable or restrict a prospect’s housing choices because of a disability. Even if you don’t mean to discriminate, you could be accused of unlawful steering by offering your personal opinion, based on the prospect’s disability, about where the prospect should live.
QUESTION #2
Correct answer: a
Reason: Rules #2 & #3 apply here:
Rule #2: Curb Curiosity About Mobility Impairments
Rule #3: Carefully Consider Requests for Reasonable Accommodations
You may not ignore the applicant’s request for an assigned parking space close to the building simply because she doesn’t display any outward appearance of a disability. The definition of disability is broad enough to cover an array of physical impairments, such as a heart or lung condition, which wouldn’t require the use of a cane but would significantly affect an individual’s ability to walk long distances. Treat the request as a request for a reasonable accommodation and follow up by requesting verification of her disability in accordance with fair housing rules regarding disability-related inquiries.
QUESTION #3
Correct answer: a
Reason: Rule #4 applies here:
Rule #4: Carefully Review Requests for Reasonable Modifications
The applicant has an obvious mobility impairment and his request to install a ramp at the entrance of a building is a reasonable modification. You may require him to provide a description of the ramp, obtain building permits, and provide assurances that the ramp with be built in a workmanlike manner. If he fulfills those requirements, then you must grant the applicant’s request to build the ramp at his expense.
QUESTION #4
Correct answer: b
Reason: Rules #4, #6, & #7 apply here:
Rule #4: Carefully Review Requests for Reasonable Modifications
Rule #6: Familiarize Yourself with FHA Accessibility Rules
Rule #7: Make Sure Your Leasing Office Is Accessible
Although your community was built before the effective date of the FHA’s design and construction standards, you could face liability for disability discrimination if you neglect barriers to your building’s main entrance. For one thing, you could run afoul of the ADA if that entrance is the only access to your leasing office. For another, the FHA would probably require that you to allow a request for the installation of a ramp to the building entrance as a reasonable modification for a resident who uses a wheelchair due to a mobility disorder.