My Disability Shouldn't Make Me Homeless or Harassed

As someone who has cerebral palsy, I'm committed to equality for people with disabilities. At age eight, I left my wheelchair behind and crawled up the steps of the United States Capitol to convince Congress to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Twenty-five years later, I'm fighting harassment, housing discrimination, and possibly homelessness.

Last year, I moved into an apartment community in Broomfield County, Colorado. The rental was advertised as wheelchair-accessible, but I soon learned that it wasn't.

Instead of installing grab bars to meet the requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other civil rights laws, the property manager and other tenants have continually harassed my mother and me. The property manager has questioned whether my "disease" actually qualifies me for protections under the Fair Housing Act and the ADA — the very law I helped pass as a child.

Unfortunately, because so few affordable, accessible rental properties exist where I live, I don't have the option to move. The last time I checked, my county had zero available wheelchair-accessible rentals that did not have a lengthy wait list.

I'm not the only one who is affected — this is happening all across America. According to former US Housing and Urban Development Secretary Henry G. Cisneros and former Senator Christopher S. “Kit" Bond:

"This unfortunate situation forces hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities to forego having a home of their own and to choose between homelessness or placement in a segregated and restrictive institutional setting."

Will you help me fight for my rights and the rights of people with disabilities across the country to live independent lives free from discrimination? Sign my petition now and urge the Department of Housing and Urban Development to step up efforts to expand housing opportunities for people with disabilities.

Secretary Castro and Administrator Garcia, As someone who believes in fair housing, community integration for people with disabilities, and basic civil rights, I strongly urge the Department of Housing and Urban Development to launch a comprehensive investigation into the availability of affordable, accessible housing for people with disabilities and whether fair housing claims under the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act are being properly investigated. America faces an affordable housing crisis that hits people with disabilities especially hard. According to former US Housing and Urban Development Secretary Henry G. Cisneros and former Senator Christopher S. "Kit" Bond: "This unfortunate situation forces hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities to forego having a home of their own and to choose between homelessness or placement in a segregated and restrictive institutional setting." Worse, those fortunate enough to find accessible housing that they can afford are left with no options if they face discrimination from property managers or neighbors in subsidized housing. This has to change. I urge your Department to immediately: * Require all HUD regions to develop action plans with clear timelines for disbursing Project 811 funding and other resources to expand affordable and accessible housing opportunities for people with disabilities. * Expand on-site investigations of private housing market providers that receive Section 8 funding to ensure their compliance with the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. [Your comments] Sincerely, [Your name]
Update #18 years ago
Thanks for joining more than 36,000 people who've signed my fair housing petition for people with disabilities. Following my complaint to the Office of Civil Rights, grab bars have been installed in my apartment. But I STILL face harassment here and -- like so many others -- can't move because there is nowhere else to go. Across the country, people are experiencing the same kinds of discrimination, so please share this petition with everyone you know.
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