Finding accessible housing is one of the most practical but frustrating challenges disabled people face globally. Housing markets don't automatically label accessibility features, databases don't search for them, and landlords often misrepresent what "accessible" means. This guide provides universal accessibility principles, then practical tools and strategies specific to your country or region.
Regardless of where you live, accessible housing requires understanding specific features your disability needs and how to evaluate whether properties actually meet those needs.
Effective housing accessibility depends on several interconnected features working together. Rather than relying on landlord claims of "accessibility," you'll evaluate actual features.
Mobility accessibility requires:
Sensory accessibility for Deaf/hard-of-hearing residents includes:
For blind/low-vision residents:
Cognitive accessibility for neurodivergent residents and people with intellectual disabilities:
Before applying or viewing, evaluate whether housing meets your specific accessibility needs by asking specific questions and measuring/testing features during viewings.
Choose your country or region to find specific databases, search strategies, and housing programs relevant to your area:
The U.S. has extensive databases and search tools for accessible housing, though success requires strategic searching and persistence.
SocialServe.com and state housing search sites are the most useful resources. SocialServe operates state-specific housing search platforms in 27+ states covering over one-third of U.S. population. Search filters include specific accessibility features: roll-in showers, walk-in showers, grab bars, accessible parking, elevators, ramps, widened doorways, etc. Free service with bilingual support. Call 1-877-428-8844 for phone-based search.
National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse maintains database of 46,000+ accessible apartments across U.S. with specific features listed. Search by location, accessibility type (mobility, sensory, cognitive), unit size. Access at nationalaccessibleapartmentclearinghouse.org.
HUD Fair Housing Search (hud.gov) helps locate public housing and HUD-assisted properties. Many public housing authorities have online searches for accessible units; call local housing authority for accessible unit lists.
State-specific resources: Contact your state's disability rights organization (disabilityrightsflorida.org is one example; find yours at dol.gov) to learn about state-specific databases, tax credits for accessible housing (LIHTC property databases), and locally-funded accessible housing programs.
Centers for Independent Living (CILs) offer most personalized assistance. Call nearest CIL (find at ncil.org or ilru.org/projects/cil-net)—staff provide free housing lists, accessibility guidance, and landlord advocacy. CILs often maintain detailed local knowledge about which landlords accommodate accessibility requests.
If using Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, you have additional rights and search accommodations:
Higher payment standards allow vouchers to cover up to 120% of Fair Market Rent, providing access to more expensive accessible units. Request in writing with disability-related justification.
Extended search time provides additional months beyond standard deadline to find appropriate housing.
Larger unit sizes can be approved for live-in personal care attendants or extra space for medical equipment.
Accessible unit lists from housing authorities must be provided upon request.
Reasonable accommodations in Section 8 program itself (accessibility to housing authority office, accessible application processes, modified timelines).
Before viewing: Call ahead with these questions:
During viewings: Measure doorway widths; test light switches and outlets (accessible height 15-48 inches); check threshold gaps (should be under 1/4 inch); evaluate bathroom accessibility; test temperature controls, locks, windows; take photos/video with permission.
Verify accessibility claims about common areas—lobby, parking, laundry—which Fair Housing Act also covers.
Wheelchair user needing ground-floor, roll-in shower access: Search databases for mobility accessibility. Verify doorway widths, bathroom floor space, entryway approach. If building pre-1991, ask if owner would install ramp. Budget for potential premium cost of accessible units.
Deaf person needing visual alert systems: Most modern apartments lack these, but landlords must allow installation as reasonable modification. Assess internet quality, plan where visual doorbells would go. Request installation permission in writing.
Chronic illness requiring transit proximity and medical facilities: Use mapping tools verifying distances to bus/transit, hospitals, pharmacies. Prioritize buildings with excellent transit access even if rent slightly higher.
Psychiatric disability needing stable relationships and predictable environment: Seek housing through disability-focused organizations or CILs. Disclose to landlords experienced with psychiatric disabilities. Request accommodations proactively—longer application processing time, accessible payment methods, clear communication protocols.
Neurodivergent person struggling with sensory overload: Prioritize units with controllable sensory environments—proper windows, heating/cooling control, not adjacent to main streets. Search for quiet neighborhoods. Consider corner units or single-family rentals if shared walls trigger you. Request accommodations for lease signing (more time, breaks).
Low vision person needing navigable layout: Prioritize buildings with consistent, logical layouts and good natural lighting. Verify ability to install smart home technology (voice-controlled lights). High contrast between walls and trim improves visibility. Request flexibility on accessibility modifications.
Low-income Section 8 eligible needing affordable accessible housing: Use SocialServe to find buildings accepting vouchers with accessibility features. Contact housing authority for accessible unit lists. Call CILs for landlord connections. Request higher payment standards if needed. Many accessible units only in pricier buildings.
SocialServe.com: 1-877-428-8844. Free searchable database by state.
National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse: nationalaccessibleapartmentclearinghouse.org
HUD Housing Search: hud.gov
Centers for Independent Living: ncil.org directory
State disability rights organizations: dol.gov directory
Fair housing organizations: nationalfairhousing.org
Canada has housing search tools and accessibility standards, though less centralized than U.S. Search strategies vary by province.
Accessible Canada Act (2019) establishes accessibility principles. CAN-ASC-2.8:2025 provides accessible-ready housing standards applicable across Canada.
Independent Living Canada (ilcan.ca) and provincial CILs provide housing search assistance similar to U.S. centers—free, peer-led, disability-centered support.
Housing search approaches vary by province. No single national database like SocialServe exists, but provinces have developed resources:
Ontario: Use provincial housing search portals; contact local CIL for accessibility guidance and landlord advocacy.
British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan: Each province has housing programs and accessibility requirements. Contact provincial disability organizations for search resources.
Quebec: Housing search through provincial programs; Quebec has strong tenant protections and accessibility requirements.
Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland/Labrador): Housing resources vary; contact provincial government and disability organizations.
Similar to U.S. process: evaluate specific features before applying, document accessibility claims, measure doorways and spaces, test controls and accessibility.
Building codes (National Building Code of Canada) establish accessibility standards. Ask if buildings meet current code; pre-code buildings may have fewer accessible features.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) provides information on affordable housing programs. Specific programs vary by province and eligibility differs.
Provincial housing assistance varies significantly. Contact your provincial government for information on subsidized housing, rent supplements, and accessibility-specific programs.
Independent Living Canada: ilcan.ca (equivalent of U.S. CILs)
CMHC: cmhc-schl.gc.ca
Provincial housing authorities: Contact through provincial government
Provincial disability organizations: Search "[province] disability rights"
EU housing search varies significantly by country. No continent-wide database exists; search tools and accessibility standards vary by member state.
European Accessibility Act (EAA) (implementing by June 2025) requires accessibility standards for housing-related services and digital platforms.
EN 301 549 standard (equivalent to WCAG accessibility standards) applies to digital housing platforms and services.
Germany: Housing search through standard property portals (Immobilienscout24, Makler, etc.). Accessible housing database less developed than U.S. but growing. Strong tenant protections and accessibility standards. Contact local disability organizations for accessible housing lists.
Netherlands: Housing search competitive; dedicated databases for accessible housing limited. Disability organizations maintain lists of accessible housing. Strong legal protections for accessibility requests.
Sweden: Housing search through national and local platforms. 10% of housing stock required to be wheelchair accessible (higher than most countries). Established accessibility standards. Contact Swedish disability organizations for resources.
France, Spain, Italy: Housing search through standard property portals. Accessibility information often not listed; must contact landlords directly or work with disability organizations. Accessibility standards and enforcement vary.
UK (post-Brexit): See United Kingdom section below.
Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Eastern European countries: Housing accessibility less standardized. Disability organizations increasingly providing search assistance and advocacy.
EU countries increasingly adopting Universal Design principles (housing designed to be accessible to people with varying abilities). This differs from "accessible" retrofits—UD anticipates diversity from the start. Look for newer buildings more likely to incorporate UD.
European Disability Forum: edf-feph.org
National disability organizations: Search "[country] disability organization"
Housing ombudspersons: Some EU countries have housing-specific complaint mechanisms
UN CRPD country reports: ohchr.org (documents what housing standards exist in your country)
UK housing search operates through standard property portals with varying accessibility information.
Rightmove.co.uk, Zoopla.co.uk, and SpareRoom.co.uk are major housing search sites. Accessibility features often not listed; must contact landlords directly or search keywords like "accessible," "wheelchair," "adapted," "mobility."
Disability Rights UK: disabilityrightsuk.org maintains information about accessible housing and landlord rights; may provide resources or lists.
Local councils: Contact local council housing departments for information about accessible housing, Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG), and local resources.
Independent Living UK organizations: Provide housing search assistance and accessibility guidance.
Building Regulations establish accessibility standards for new construction and major renovations. Pre-regulation buildings may lack accessibility features.
Equality Act 2010 requires landlords to make reasonable adjustments—they can be required to install accessibility features or modify policies.
If you own or rent, you may qualify for Disabled Facilities Grants to fund home modifications. £711 million allocated annually but distributed through local authorities; waiting lists often long. Grant covers ramps, grab bars, widened doorways, bathroom modifications, etc.
Similar to other countries: ask specific questions before applying, measure doorways and spaces during viewings, verify that landlord claims match actual features.
Request written descriptions or photos before viewing. Document all communications with landlords about accessibility.
Disability Rights UK: disabilityrightsuk.org
Equality and Human Rights Commission: equalityhumanrights.com
Housing ombudsman: housingomobudsman.org.uk
Disabled Facilities Grant: Contact local council
Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk (housing rights information)
Australia has housing search tools and strong legal protections for accessibility, though geographic vastness presents challenges.
Domain.com.au, Realestate.com.au, and Rent.com.au are major housing search sites. Search for "accessible," "wheelchair," "disabled," "mobility," "grab bars," etc. Accessibility information often incomplete; contact landlords directly.
NDIS Housing: If NDIS participant, NDIS can fund housing search assistance and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). SDA provides housing specifically designed for people with extreme functional impairment.
State disability organizations: Maintain accessible housing information and landlord resources. Contact through state government.
National Construction Code establishes accessibility standards for new buildings. Older buildings may lack accessibility features.
Disability Discrimination Act protects disabled people's right to request accommodations and modifications. Landlords must accommodate requests unless causing unjustifiable hardship.
Australia's geographic vastness means housing options limited in rural and remote areas. Disability organizations can provide information about regional resources and remote housing options.
Ask landlords specific questions about features; measure doorways and spaces; verify claims during viewings. Document all communications.
Request written information before applying. Seek assistance from state disability organizations or NDIS support coordinator if available.
NDIS: ndis.gov.au
Australian Human Rights Commission: humanrights.gov.au
State disability organizations: Search "[state] disability rights"
Domain, Realestate, Rent.com.au: Major housing search platforms
Housing search strategies vary globally based on local housing markets, accessibility standards, and disability infrastructure.
Brazil: Housing search through Imobiliário portals. Disability organizations increasingly providing search assistance. Housing accessibility standards exist but enforcement variable.
South Africa: Housing search through standard platforms. Disability organizations provide advocacy and search support. Post-apartheid, housing remains scarce; disabled people face compounded barriers.
India: Housing search through standard platforms; accessibility rarely listed. Disability organizations provide advocacy. Informal economy and informal settlements mean most disabled people lack formal housing protections.
Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Latin America: Housing search through standard portals. Disability organizations provide resources and advocacy. Housing accessibility standards vary by country.
East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Ghana) and across Africa: Housing search through local platforms; formal accessible housing limited. Disability organizations emerging and advocating for housing rights.
Language barriers: If living outside English-speaking countries, accessibility information often only available in local language. Use translation tools; contact local disability organizations for assistance.
Limited databases: Many countries lack centralized housing databases with accessibility filters. Direct contact with landlords and working with disability organizations becomes more critical.
Informal housing: In countries with large informal housing sectors, formal accessibility protections don't apply. Community-based informal solutions and disability organizations fill gaps.
Cultural context: Different cultures have different approaches to family housing, community living, and independence. Accessibility and housing needs connect to cultural values and available support structures.
Disabled Peoples' International: dpi.org (connect with disabled people's organizations in your country)
SABE International: sabeint.org (self-advocacy network across countries)
UN CRPD housing resources: ohchr.org (research what housing protections exist in your country)
Regional disability forums: European Disability Forum (edf-feph.org), others provide country-specific resources
Your national disability organization: Most countries have disability rights organizations providing housing search assistance
Independent Living organizations: Many countries have IL centers or equivalents; these provide free housing search support
Wheelchair user in country without accessible housing databases: Contact local disability organization for accessible housing lists; ask them to advocate with potential landlords about accessibility needs; measure doorways yourself before committing to viewing.
Deaf person with limited communication access in local language: Use translation apps; contact Deaf community organizations (exist in most countries) for housing search assistance; request written communication from landlords when possible.
Chronic illness requiring specific climate or proximity to healthcare: Use mapping tools to verify distances to hospitals and specialist care; prioritize housing with climate control; contact disability organizations for housing near healthcare facilities.
Low-income disabled person in country without housing subsidies: Contact disability organizations about available programs; explore community-based housing or cooperative housing models; look into independent living organizations providing housing support.
Person with multiple disabilities with conflicting accessibility needs: List all accessibility needs clearly; contact disability organizations explaining compound needs; work with landlords on creative solutions addressing all disabilities.
Neurodivergent person in housing-insecure situation: Contact disability organizations about emergency housing; seek housing through neurodiversity-focused organizations if available; request accommodations for housing application and lease signing process.
Disabled immigrant/refugee with documentation barriers: Contact disability organizations serving immigrants; work with legal aid organizations on documentation issues; seek housing through community-based organizations familiar with immigrant situations.
For information on Housing Rights across different countries, see Housing Rights.
For Home Modifications funding and strategies, see Home Modifications.
For Tenants' Rights once you've found housing, see Tenants' Rights with Disabilities.
For International Housing Rights frameworks (CRPD Article 19, global standards), see International Housing Rights.
Have housing search resources, databases, or country-specific tips to contribute? Contribute to DisabilityWiki
Last updated: November 2025