Stairway to Heaven

A Juneau resident with a disability signed a residential lease for an apartment in respondent’s multi-unit property. Complainant later questioned the safety and accessibility of the exterior staircase, which provided the only access to the apartment, and requested that she be allowed to access the unit using an interior staircase. Respondent contended that the interior staircase was for the exclusive use of another tenant and rescinded the lease. Investigation found that the property owner did not engage in good faith interactive dialogue with complainant to determine whether she could be reasonably accommodated. The parties entered into a settlement agreement requiring that respondent undergo anti-discrimination training.