Bridging the gap between the real estate industry and disability support networks

02/10/2007

The Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission this week launched a new guide for property managers to working with disability support networks that provide support to people with disabilities.

Endorsed by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, Access All Areas outlines the benefits of working with support people, encourages compliance with equal opportunity laws, and illustrates some of the social and economic benefits of accessible housing.

Commission Chief Executive, Dr Helen Szoke, said the guide provides property managers with information and resources to help them get the best out of their relationships with disability support people.

“Access All Areas is about protecting the rights of people with disabilities to equality and accessible housing,” she said.

“The guide promotes social inclusion and challenges some myths about disability which often prevent people with disabilities from participating fully in life.”

Liaising with property managers on behalf of their tenants, disability support people can help with tasks relating to obtaining and maintaining a smooth tenancy and in doing so help people with disabilities lead independent and productive lives.

Access All Areas also builds a business case for accessible housing and reflects on research indicates that real estate agents are potentially reducing business profits by as much as 30% by not servicing all sectors of the population

While there are clear social and business drivers for landlords and property managers to consider tenants with disabilities, Dr Szoke reminded the real estate industry of the legal imperative to not discriminate.

“Under the Equal Opportunity Act it is against the law to discriminate against people with disabilities when providing accommodation.

“If a property manager acts on the instructions of a landlord and discriminates, both property manager and landlord risk a complaint being lodged against them.

“Employers are also liable for the behaviour of their staff so if a property manager discriminates, a complaint can be made against them and the real estate company.”

Access All Areas is available in PDF and RTF. Print copies of the publication are available upon request on 92817 7122.

Media contact: Ian Row, 0408 126 396