State and City Laws
- Cortland, NY City Council Visitability Resolution (2018)
- Atlanta, GA City Ordinance (PDF) – 1992
- Georgia State Fact Sheet
- Toledo, OH City Ordinance (PDF) – 2005
- US Conference of Mayors Promote Visitability Opportunities for People With Disabilities (PDF) – 2005
- Bolingbrook, IL City Ordinance (PDF) – 2003
- Iowa City, IA Ordinance (PDF) – 2002
- San Antonio, TX Ordinance (PDF) – 2002
- Kansas State Bill 2020 (PDF) – 2002
- Maryland Senate Bill 180 Independent Living Tax Credit Act – currently before the Maryland Legislature (PDF)
- Pima County, AZ Ordinance (PDF) – 2001
- Pima County Officials Cite Ordinance Success to Congress (PDF) – 2010
- Example Construction Standards from the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC)
- Austin, TX — Article about ordinance passing (PDF) – 2008
- Austin, TX Every New House (PDF) – 2014
- Georgia advocates replicate Texas Law (PDF) – 2002
- Florida Bathroom Law of 1989 (PDF)
US Legislation
Inclusive Home Design Act (PDF) presented to the 108th Congress 1st Session (originally introduced as HR 2353 in 2003). Currently, if government funding is used to build single-family detached houses, duplexes, triplexes, or townhouses, 5% have to have extensive access features – lowered cabinets, roll-in showers, etc. But the other 95% can have no access at all! IHDA, if passed, corrects this. The 5% fully accessible remain, and the rest of the houses offer visitability. Read Eleanor Smith’s testimony to Congress on IHDA (PDF) September, 2010).
Around the World
British Mandate
In March 1998, Parliament passed the mandate creating access to all new homes throughout England and Wales. The ripples will spread world-wide. The regulations further expose the inaccurate assertions of groups in the United States like the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) that basic access isn’t needed, can’t be done, won’t be done…
The specific construction requirements can be found in Section M of the Building Regulations. Among the requirements are an accessible approach to the dwelling, a zero-step entrance when topography permits, at least a half-bath on the main floor, wide halls and doorways, and accessible switches and electrical outlets.
Vancouver, BC Canada 2013
Through the efforts of Jill Weiss and others, a law covering several interior features for every new house in the city passed in 2013. The zero step entrance portion is expected to pass in the near future.
- Vancouver, BC 2013 (PDF)
