Disability Resources by Category

Some aspects of housing accessibility are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Title II of the ADA covers the activities of state and local governments. Title II requires "public entities to make both new and existing housing facilities accessible to persons with disabilities." Therefore, housing covered by Title II of the ADA includes housing operated by a state or local government entity, such as a state university campus or public housing authorities.

Title III of the ADA covers public accommodations. Therefore, Title III covers public and common use areas at housing developments when these public areas are open or available to the general public.

For example, Title III covers the rental office because it is open to the general public and a day care center or a community room if it is available to the general public.

Title III applies, regardless of whether the public and common use areas are operated by a federally assisted provider or by a private entity. However, if the community room or day care center were only open to residents of the building, Title III would not apply.

To learn more about what the ADA requires, visit the http://www.ada.gov/.

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Some aspects of housing accessibility are covered by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in federally-assisted programs or activities. So, any program that receives federal financial assistance from a federal agency (like HUD) is covered by Section 504. This means that entities like Public Housing Authorities and providers of Project-Based Section 8 Housing are covered under the HUD regulations that implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Exceptions are made for a private landlord that accepts tenants through the housing choice vSome aspects of housing accessibility are covered by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in federally-assisted programs or activities. So, any program that receives federal financial assistance from a federal agency (like HUD) is covered by Section 504. This means that entities like Public Housing Authorities and providers of Project-Based Section 8 Housing are covered under the HUD regulations that implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Exceptions are made for a private landlord that accepts tenants through the housing choice voucher program.oucher program.

For more information on Section 504, visit the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development website.

Some aspects of housing accessibility are covered by the Architectural Barriers Act.

The Architectural Barriers Act covers buildings or facilities financed in whole or in part by the federal government. It applies to public housing and buildings and facilities constructed with Community Development Block Grants. It requires that the buildings be designed, constructed, or altered to comply with legal standards that ensure accessibility for persons with physical disabilities. It does not apply to privately-owned housing.

The Architectural Barriers Act requires that covered buildings comply with the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS).

In practice, if buildings meet the requirements of Section 504 and of Title II of the ADA, they will also satisfy the requirements of the Archtectural Barriers Act.

For more information, visit the United States Access Board website.

If you live in a mobile home and rent or lease the lot, you may also have rights and responsibilities under the Florida Mobile Home Act depending on the size of the mobile home park.

If you need assistance moving your mobile home, you should also be aware of the Mobile Home Relocation Program.

Because of the high cost of moving a mobile home, the Mobile Home Relocation Program provides financial assistance to home owners who are displaced when the property, under certain circumstances, can no longer be used as a mobile home park.

For more information on the Florida Mobile Home Act, please visit the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations website.

Renters (tenants) and landlords each have rights and responsibilities.

Helpful information for renters can be found at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Division of Consumer Services website and the Florida Bar website.

To read the full Florida Landlord and Tenant Law, go to Chapter 83 of Florida Statutes at this link Landlord and Tenant Law.

If you are a renter or tenant and need assistance with a problem with a landlord, you may also request help from your local legal aid office. Locate the nearest legal aid office by visiting FloridaLawHelp.org. If you are facing an eviction, you may wish to visit the Eviction Court Form Builder created by Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.