NATIONAL LEGISLATION

"Visitability" bill introduced in Congress

June 10, 2003 -- Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D.-Ill.) has introduced H.R. 2353 to
require all single family homes receiving federal funds be built with a
no-step entrance, "32" clearance doorways on the main level, and one
wheelchair-accessible bathroom. "It defies logic to build new homes that
block people out when it's so easy and cheap to build new homes that let
people in," says Schakowsky. To see a copy of the bill, go to
http://thomas.loc.gov and type in HR2353.

"Under current law," says Schakowsky, "95 percent of federally supported
homes do not have to meet any accessibility standard. This creates
unnecessary barriers for disabled veterans and other people with mobility
impairments. It defies logic to build new homes that block people out when
it's so easy and cheap to build new homes that let people in. Many states
and localities have already incorporated visitability standards. This list
includes Naperville, Bollingbrook, and Champagne, Illinois, Atlanta,
Vermont, Texas, Kansas, Arizona and others."

Read Schakowsky's statement to Congress on visitability
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/il09_schakowsky/pr06_05_2003visitability.html

Page last updated: 08/01/03 10:02 AM

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