Fair Housing Act Requirement 5: Controls in Accessible Locations
Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST Training Event
DATE: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
TIMES: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (Eastern Time) – OR – 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Eastern Time)
Description:
This 90-minute Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST (FHAF) training offers a detailed examination of Requirement 5 of the Fair Housing Act, which covers the placement and usability of light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats, and other environmental controls in accessible locations. Participants will learn how the Accessibility Guidelines and safe harbors define reach ranges, clear floor space, and mounting height requirements, including considerations for forward and side reaches with and without obstructions. The session also highlights common design challenges, ICC code relationships, and emerging technologies that support accessible control locations. Practical examples help clarify how to integrate Requirement 5 early in the design process to avoid costly corrections.
During the Q&A part of the training, accessibility expert Eric Contreras will answer your questions about the Fair Housing Act, Fair Housing Act Design Manual, Safe Harbors, and other accessibility issues live.
Each attendee who attends for 45 minutes or longer will receive a certificate of attendance. Certificates are also available for passing the final quiz.
The 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM training session includes ASL interpreters.
What is Covered?
After attending this training, participants will be able to:
- Understand the specific requirements and technical guidance of Fair Housing Act Requirement 5.
- Identify FHA guidance to apply when incorporating environmental controls within a dwelling unit.
- Identify FHA guidance to apply when designing controls and outlets that are and are not subject to the Guidelines.
- Identify FHA guidance to apply when designing accessible locations to access controls and outlets.
- Identify FHA guidance to apply when designing for a person forward reaching without obstruction.
- Identify FHA guidance to apply when designing for a person forward reaching over an obstruction.
- Identify FHA guidance to apply when designing for a person side reaching over an obstruction.
- Identify FHA guidance to apply when designing outlet mounting locations.
- Identify strategies, tips, and resources to aid compliance with FHA Requirement 5.
- Identify ICC building code guidance to apply when designing control mounting locations.
- Identify new technologies that increase user accessibility to environmental controls.
Who Should Attend?
- Architects and Designers
- Contractors
- Civil Engineers and Landscape Architects
- Developers and Builders
- Disability and Housing Advocates
- Other Individuals interested in Fair Housing Accessibility
Note: This 90-minute training with be offered twice on April 7, 2026. Both sessions will include the same information.
Training Dates & Times:
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Eastern Time
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Eastern Time
The 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM training session includes ASL interpreters.
Register for Training:
Register for 10:00 AM (Eastern Time) Training
Register for the 2:00 PM (Eastern Time) Training
Format: Webinar using Zoom platform
Cost: Free
Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST Training Calendar
Web: hud.gov/hud-partners/accessibility-first-training
English