Title: (Optional) Explain the effect of regulations on the interior design industry.
Course: Introduction to Interior Design (19263-18) > Section: Investigating Influences on Interior Design

Explanation includes listing governmental regulations regarding housing, interior design, and construction and summarizing the seven design and construction requirements for compliance with the Fair Housing Act, as follows:

1. An accessible building entrance on an accessible route
2. Accessible public and common use areas
3. Usable doors (usable by a person in a wheelchair)
4. Accessible route into and through the dwelling unit
5. Light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats, and other environmental controls in accessible locations
6. Reinforced walls in bathrooms for later installation of grab bars
7. Usable kitchens and bathrooms

Process/Skill Questions:

Thinking

- What are local, state, and federal regulations regarding housing, interior design, and construction?
- In what areas do these regulations overlap? How do they agree or differ?
- What is the importance of each of the Fair Housing Act requirements?

Communication

- How can design professionals communicate the need to comply with government regulations to clients and contractors?
- How might social, cultural, or ethnic differences in the client population influence communication?

Leadership

- What should design professionals do to encourage compliance with government regulations regarding housing, interior design, and construction?
- What skills and knowledge do design professionals need to recognize cases of disregard for such regulations?

Management

- What resources help explain the regulation of housing, interior design, and construction?
- What strategies help ensure compliance with governmental regulations regarding housing, interior design, and construction?
- What is the local procedure for reporting suspected cases of noncompliance with regulations?