The DC Office of Human Rights in partnership with the Office of Disability Rights and the DC Developmental Disabilities Council will host the DC Fair Housing Symposium: “Intersections: Disability and Diverse Communities.”

This annual Fair Housing Symposium seeks to educate attendees on issues relating to fair housing and their relevance to their respective constituencies. This year's symposium will focus on disability related topics and their impact on community diversity.

Date: April 18, 2019
Location: Inclusive Innovation Incubator
Doors open: 9:45am

This symposium will be a forum for persons who provide advocacy within private, non-profit or government sectors to gain critical information and increase their toolbox of resources to help individuals and families to recognize housing discrimination.

Networking and mingling will be provided followed by a Ted Talk style keynote presentation by Lydia X.Z. Brown.

Following the keynote chat, grab a seat at one of the following free workshops for tenants, landlords, developers, and advocates:

1. Source of Income Discrimination for People with Disabilities - Community focus

There are numerous barriers to access for people searching for housing, including the effects of source of income discrimination. Local fair housing laws can make it easier for persons who receive federal or local rental assistance to find quality, stable affordable housing in communities that meet their needs by enforcing discrimination laws against housing providers. This workshop is designed to provide an overview of source of income discrimination and how it may impact other protected traits, such as disability and race, and recognizing the operational challenges associated with housing providers who refuse to consider a person for rental because of their protected trait.

2. Reasonable Accommodations with focus on Assistance Animals

It is common that landlords and housing providers have a no pets policy as part of their lease and tenant agreement. For individuals with disabilities who use service animals or have emotional support animals, a reasonable accommodation to allow these types of animals in a building with a ‘no pet’ policy may be allowed. Discuss the basics of animal accommodation requests, the difference between service, assistance, and emotional support animals, and the responsibilities between a tenant, landlord, and housing provider

3. Inclusive Design + Construction with focus on "Deaf-Space"

Designing spaces with accessibility in mind meets the needs of all community members including individuals with and without disabilities, young and older adults. Aside from the importance of having an accessible built environment, creating DeafSpace is just as essential for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. The study of DeafSpace offers a unique insight about the importance of constructing an environment that focuses on space and proximity, sensory reach, light, color, and acoustics.

*Coffee, tea and light lunch refreshments will be provided.

About the Fair Housing Symposium

This annual event is hosted by the DC Office of Human Rights.

To request a reasonable accommodation or language interpretation, please contact the DC Office of Human Rights at 202-727-1145 or by email at stephanie.franklin@dc.gov by Tuesday, April 16, 2019.