Name: US Disability Access Laws for Planners
Rating: 4.33 (15 reviews)
Author: Jonathan Katz-Ouziel

Explore the key disability rights laws that shape planners' work — including the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Architectural Barriers Act, the Fair Housing Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 — to understand their core provisions.

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Course Info

13 video lessons (109 Mins)
Published
2026
Trending

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Browse Course Chapters

1.

Introduction

1 min
2.

Agenda

3 mins
3.

Why do these rules matter?

4 mins
4.

What are Disability and Accessibility?

8 mins
5.

What happens if you don't comply?

8 mins
6.

Americans with Disabilities Act - Part 1

22 mins
7.

Americans with Disability Act - Part 2

23 mins
8.

Architectural Barriers Act

5 mins
9.

Fair Housing Act

14 mins
10.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973

6 mins
11.

Other federal laws

2 mins
12.

State and local laws

4 mins
13.

Resources

1 min

What You Will Learn

Understand how federal disability rights laws affect planners and their work Understand how the ADA informs activities by public entities and the organizations that work for them Understand where and how to find accessible design guidance Understand how disability laws affect code, zoning and approval processes Understand how disability laws affect public and private entities Gain examples of ways to follow these laws in practice

Course Description

This course outlines key federal disability access laws that apply to planning. These laws protect the civil rights of people with disabilities and affect a wide range of planning activities in the public and private sectors. They include the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Architectural Barriers Act, the Fair Housing Act and other laws. You will learn about the requirements of these laws, how they affect your everyday work and how they apply to public services, infrastructure, housing and more. Throughout, you will see examples of these laws in action in cities across the United States.

Learn these skills

Accessibility
Equity
History
Law and Policy
Transportation
Urban Design
Walkability

AICP CM

This course is approved for 1.5 AICP CM Credits, Including 1 Equity Credit

AIA CES

This course is approved for 1.5 LU.

Meet Your Instructor

Jonathan Katz-Ouziel

Jonathan Katz-Ouziel is an autistic planner, an independent accessibility consultant, and the founder of Opossum House Accessibility. He holds a decade of experience in ensuring compliance with accessibility regulations and helping public and private organizations include and support people with disabilities.

Meet Instructor

Thomas Hamed

Thomas Hamed, AICP is a transportation planner who specializes in commuter transportation and mobility for all. Currently a consultant specializing in federal commuter transportation, Thomas has also led mobility programs for both the City of Alexandria in Virginia, and for The Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta.

Meet Instructor

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