44% of housing discrimination complaints disability-related last year

Out of the record 10, 552 complaints filed for housing discrimination in 2008, 44% were due to disability-based discrimination.

via disability scoop:

The data, included in an annual report to Congress, includes housing discrimination complaints made directly to HUD and those made to state and local agencies that work with HUD. All complaints must specify one of seven reasons for discrimination including race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or familial status.

Disability Scoop provides the following information:

Those with concerns about housing discrimination can contact HUD at (800) 669-9777 or click here for more information.

Being a contortionist to use the dishwasher

Wheelchair Dancer wrote about how letters have been sent out to enforce the provisions of the Fair Housing Act regarding accessibility for those with disabilities in New York city recently.

Another NY Times article talks about accessible homes in New York that aren't accessible, according to people with disabilities who live in them.

To spend an afternoon with Ms. Galler, 72, as she navigates her supposedly accessible apartment in Battery Park City is to understand the difficulties those who use wheelchairs can confront in newer housing. “Most people might never imagine these difficulties,” said Ms. Galler, who contracted polio at the age of 10 but was able to walk until a few years ago.

She cannot open or close windows by herself because the locks are too high. She cannot get her wheelchair into the bedroom closet — and has not returned to her bathroom in the wheelchair since being trapped there for two hours. Now she takes several laborious steps with braces to enter the room. Her bathtub is unreachable. “I can use the dishwasher only by being a contortionist,” she said.

The garbage disposal room down the hall is a wheelchair barricade. And, she added, “my kitchen cabinets? Very beautiful. But I can’t reach them.”

Due to the lack of accessible housing, some disabled tenants are like virtual prisoners, according to Ms. Galler, who have to live in basements while seeking out accessible housing that is difficult to find. Some end up in either shelters or nursing homes when they don't need to be there.

Housing discrimination complaints grow

For an article with excellent resource information, click above.

"Taking better care of caregivers" - new bill in California

Tomorrow is Mother's Day so this post is dedicated to everyone who is special in someone else's life - someone whose spiritual generosity has touched another. That includes caregivers of all kinds IMHO.

Yet work environments have traditionally not provided protection - and continue to discriminate- against workers such as pregnant women and caregivers. It is being called "Family responsibiilities discrimination" which does not support family values.

"Caregiving discrimination lawsuits have exploded — with plaintiffs often winning...
These laws and other actions are based on an emerging legal doctrine built around the concept of "family responsibilities discrimination." The doctrine is based on evidence that pregnant women and caregivers often are passed over for jobs, dinged on performance reviews or blocked from promotions. Some employers assume they would be absent more frequently and won't work as hard or be as committed to their careers as those without caregiving duties."

One California lawmaker is stepping in with a proposed bill that would assist family caregivers with jobs outside the home extending protection under current job discrimination laws. (Click above to read the entire article).

"For example, federal law requires employers to accommodate the needs of disabled workers and grant employees leave to care for sick or disabled relatives. But no federal statute expressly forbids job discrimination on the basis of an individual's parenting status.
California law expressly bars job discrimination on the basis of sex and marital status, among other factors, but not caregiving.
A bill now before the state Senate amends the Fair Employment and Housing Act, extending that protection to parents and workers with an ill or disabled spouse or aging relatives. SB 836, sponsored by state Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica), would apply to businesses with five or more employees. It is scheduled for a vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday."

Via latimes.com