Workforce Development in Action: Expanding awareness of Accessibility Standards within the CHA
As the Chicago Housing Authority’s (CHA) in-house accessibility consultants, HUSarchitecture is responsible for guiding CHA’s contractors and vendors on accessibility standards to make public housing more inclusive. Recently, we had the pleasure of presenting our accessibility program to a group of CHA’s pre-approved contractors at the Workforce Opportunity Resource Center (WORC) table talk, organized by Kevin Brooks. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to workforce development and training within CHA’s network.
The WORC program supports Section 3-eligible vendors, many of whom are CHA residents or operate resident-owned businesses. Through WORC, these contractors gain valuable tools to achieve economic independence, while vendors learn best practices and standards to meet CHA's goals. Our session provided the contractors—ranging from general contractors and steel fabricators to specialty trades—with a thorough understanding of accessibility requirements, preparing them for any future projects involving accessible units or common areas within CHA buildings.
As the third-party reviewers for CHA’s accessibility compliance, our role is to conduct multiple reviews of modified buildings to ensure they meet accessibility standards. For contractors, this often means adjusting approaches to minimize rework.
Led by our program coordinators, Mac and Bruce, the presentation was designed to prepare contractors for accessibility requirements they might not encounter in typical projects. They outlined common issues to avoid, clarified specific code requirements, and highlighted the importance of accessible design in public housing. Bruce took questions from attendees about accessibility code requirements, allowing for a dynamic discussion that addressed the real-world challenges these vendors face.
Alongside Mac and Bruce, our assessment team conducts field reviews, identifying conditions that need attention before construction progresses. Our presentation not only informed contractors about the standards but also reinforced the importance of quality checks, with the aim to reduce rework and ensure residents live in welcoming, accessible environments.
After a positive response, we’re looking forward to a follow-up session in January to dive deeper into specific accessibility standards and share additional insights. Supporting workforce development at CHA goes beyond compliance—it’s about building awareness and capacity among vendors, ultimately enhancing comfort and inclusivity for CHA residents. We’re excited to continue making a difference, one presentation at a time.
