MCIL publishes accessibility survey of local apartments

The survey focused on the first two requirements of the fair housing amendments that instruct ground-floor rental units to have an accessible entrance and the apartment complex to have accessible common use amenities.

On Thursday, January 25, Memphis Area Legal Services - Fair Housing Center filed a complaint in federal court contending that local apartments do not provide necessary access to persons with disabilities. The action challenges the design and construction of three Champion Hill properties and the Wyndham Apartments stating that the physical barriers at the locations are discrimination. The complaint alleges that 147 of the ground-floor units of the Wyndham Apartments and 60% of the ground-floor units at the Champion Hill sites have no wheelchair access.

"People with disabilities face discrimination in housing each day in our community," said Deborah Cunningham, the Executive Director of the Memphis Center for Independent Living. "Our choices are limited by architectural design and construction. Today is a first step in calling for an end to the blatant disregard of the civil rights of all individuals with disabilities."