UCP AffNet Entrance
Housing
For Providers
Model-based estimates provided by the Census Bureau (2000 census) indicate that there are 49.7 million people with some type of long lasting condition or disability. They represented 19.3 percent of the 257.2 million people who were aged 5 and older in the civilian non-institutionalized population – or nearly one person in five.
Many affordable housing professionals – including housing program staff, lenders, housing counselors, real estate agents/brokers, builders and contractors – have little experience serving people with disabilities. Therefore, they may be unsure how to communicate or interact when meeting individuals with disabilities for the first time.
This manual is intended to be used as a training tool for nonprofit organizations and private developers undertaking a homeownership or housing program to provide their partners with information and guidelines that can help ensure positive interactions and communication with people with disabilities. It discusses important facts about disabilities, the myths and misconceptions associated with people with disabilities, and ‘people first language’.