Responding to Disability-Related Requests
Fair Housing Definition of Disability
- Having impairments significantly impacting one or more major life activities, OR;
- Having a record of such impairment, OR;
- Being perceived as having such an impairment.
- Includes temporary disabilities (WA state).
Examples of Major Life Activities
- Walking, standing, climbing, balancing.
- Holding, gripping, turning, carrying, lifting Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching.
- Sleeping, eating, personal hygiene.
- Memory retention and emotional regulation.
Checklist for Disability-Related Requests
- Person meets above definition of disability.
- If the disability is not observable, you may request 3rd party verification.
- If the disability is not observable, you may request 3rd party verification.
- The requested change to policy, procedure, unit structure or common area is required/necessary because of the person's disability.
- If the request is not clearly connected to the disability is, you may request 3rd party verification.
- The requested change is not an undue financial and administrative burden.
- The requested change to policy, procedures, rules or services does not fundamentally alter the nature of the business.
For requests regarding changes to the structure of the unit or common areas, if you answered "yes" to #1 and 2 above, review the appropriate information below:
For federally-funded properties, this disability-related request:
- Can be completed to meet city/county standards (unit/common modifications)?
- Is not an undue financial burden.
For properties without federal funding, has the tenant/homeowner:
- Acquired the necessary city/county permits (if needed)?
- Agreed to pay for the structure change?
- Agreed to convert the unit to the original condition if the modification makes the unit harder to rent?
* 3rd Party Verification-written by a professional who knows of and/or has treated the person's disability. Companies may not require 3rd party verifiers to complete their forms.
* Undue Burden- a documented, significant cost on a company's overall resources.
Questions about Fair Housing laws? Contact the Fair Housing Center of Washington by email or call 253-274-9523 or click here to visit their website.
