As Disability Pride Month, July is dedicated to honoring the achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community, including in housing, and marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which broke down barriers to inclusion in society for those with a disability. Here are a number of resources to help you learn about the disability community and its history, as well as continue to work toward positive change, equality, and inclusion in our industry and communities to make accessible and affordable housing, including homeownership, more achievable for all:
- Read about the history of Disability Pride Month and the Disability Rights Movement
- Learn about the broad definition of disability
- Read about the Americans with Disabilities Act and review related resources from the National Association of REALTORS®, including legal implications for you and your business
- Review and complete parts of the American Bar Association’s 21-Day Disability Equity Habit-Building Challenge, which includes short videos and articles to build disability awareness and help you better understand the experiences of and barriers faced by the disability community
- Learn about the advocacy work being done by the American Association of of People With Disabilities and The Arc for policies that ensure equal access to affordable and accessible housing
- Learn how to audit your business website to ensure it’s accessible to all and is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Review the information and resources related to disability and housing from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Complete the NAR Fairhaven Housing Simulation, which presents housing discrimination situations and demonstrates ways to address those
- Watch this NAR video, Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing
- Get involved with the RASCW Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, which works to promote fair housing locally as well as diversity in our industry and association