Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, existing properties must be made accessible when changes are readily achievable and economically feasible.

• A. Immediately for all properties
• B. Only if tenants request modifications
• C. Only for new construction
• D. When changes are readily achievable and economically feasible

Answer: (D)

Under the ADA, accessibility for existing facilities is required only when removing barriers is readily achievable. That means making changes that can be accomplished with relatively little difficulty or expense, given the property’s resources. The idea of it being economically feasible reinforces that the modification should be practical within what the property can reasonably afford. This approach balances improving access with the owner's ability to pay, so you don’t have to retrofit everything at once, but you should act when it’s feasible. In contrast, requiring immediate access for all properties ignores resource constraints; relying only on tenant requests places the burden on tenants; and applying the rule only to new construction misses the ADA obligation to make existing facilities accessible when feasible.