WASHINGTON, D.C., November 14, 2013—The Equal Rights Center (ERC), a national non-profit civil rights organization, announced that American Standard is paving the way for accessibility product and service vendors by becoming the Founding Associate Member of the Multifamily Housing Resource Program (MHRP).

“The Equal Rights Center is thrilled to have American Standard launch our Associate Membership category for product and service vendors and subcontractors,” said Victoria Lanteigne, ERC Corporate Partnerships and Training Program Manager. “MHRP Members know how critical these types of firms are in the effort to provide accessible housing for people with disabilities. We are excited to begin our collaborative work with American Standard, and look forward to enhancing the number of accessible housing units across the country.”

The MHRP is a proactive collaboration between the ERC and industry leaders in the areas of multifamily housing development, construction, and management, as well as architectural firms with accessible design expertise and now accessibility-related product and service vendors. With a mission to increase the number of residential housing units in the United States that are accessible to people with disabilities, the MHRP provides training, resources, policy review, and civil rights expertise to its members.

American Standard Brands is a leading manufacturer of high-quality building and plumbing products ― faucets, toilets, sinks, whirlpool tubs, furnishings, plus safe and accessible lines ― for bathrooms and kitchens in residential, commercial, healthcare, education and other institutional environments. The company has engineered high-performing, “quietly accessible” products that allow for greater independence, safety and dignity for persons with disabilities and limited mobility.

“Our company’s overall goal is to raise the standard of daily living for people in North America and around the globe,” said Jay Gould, president and CEO of American Standard Brands. “Creating plumbing products that accommodate residents of all physical abilities and ages has been a big part of our mission through the years. Serving as the Founding Associate Member of the MHRP helps to further this cause. We are honored to be a part of this program.”

American Standard is the 17th affiliate of the MHRP, which requires member firms to embody policies, practices and services consistent with MHRP’s principles of protecting the civil rights of persons with disabilities. The plumbing company joins housing industry leaders such as AvalonBay Communities, The Bozzuto Group, Camden Property Trust, Kettler, and Trammell Crow Residential in multi-year commitments to proactively work to improve enhance accessibility in housing through MHRP membership. Current MHRP members represent more than 600,000 housing units nationwide.

About the Equal Rights Center (www.equalrightscenter.org)
Originally formed in 1983, the Equal Rights Center (ERC) is a national non-profit civil rights organization based in Washington, D.C. With members located in every state and the District of Columbia, the ERC works nationally to promote equal opportunity in housing, employment, disability rights, immigrant rights, and access to public accommodations and government services for all protected classes under federal, state, and local laws.

About the United Way of the National Capital Area (www.unitedwaynca.org)
Serving the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties for more than 35 years, the United Way of the National Capital Area works to inspire acts of caring, deliver hope and improve lives