ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments

One: Does the individual have an impairment?
A physical impairment is a physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement or anatomical loss impacting one or more body systems.⁷ Examples of body systems include neurological, musculoskeletal (the system of muscles and bones), respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, lymphatic and endocrine.⁸

A mental impairment is a mental or psychological disorder.⁹ Examples include mental retardation, emotional or mental illness, and organic brain syndrome.¹⁰

The Department’s regulations also list other impairments, including contagious and noncontagious diseases; orthopedic, vision, speech and hearing impairments; cerebral palsy; epilepsy; muscular dystrophy; multiple sclerosis; cancer; heart disease; diabetes; specific learning disabilities; HIV disease (with or without symptoms), tuberculosis, drug addiction, and alcoholism.¹¹