2010 ADA Definition
Disability: Disability means, with respect to an individual, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment.
(1) The phrase physical or mental impairment means – (i) Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; (ii) Any mental or psychological disorder such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities; (iii) The phrase physical or mental impairment includes, but is not limited to, such contagious and noncontagious diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental retardation, emotional illness, specific learning disabilities, HIV disease (whether symptomatic or asymptomatic), tuberculosis, drug addiction, and alcoholism; (iv) The phrase physical or mental impairment does not include homosexuality or bisexuality.
(2) The phrase major life activities means functions such as caring for one´s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.
(3) The phrase has a record of such an impairment means has a history of, or has been misclassified as having, a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
(4) The phrase is regarded as having an impairment means – (i) Has a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially limit major life activities but that is treated by a private entity as constituting such a limitation; (ii) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of others toward such impairment; or (iii) Has none of the impairments defined in paragraph (1) of this definition but is treated by a private entity as having such an impairment.
(5) The term disability does not include – (i) Transvestism, transsexualism, pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, gender identity disorders not resulting from physical impairments, or other sexual behavior disorders; (ii) Compulsive gambling, kleptomania, or pyromania; or (iii) Psychoactive substance use disorders resulting from current illegal use of drugs.
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Products and Additional Resources > Products
Garaventa Elvoron CPL Vertical Platform Lift
The Elvoron CPL is designed to provide access for people with disabilities in commercial buildings....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > DOJ/DOE Joint Publication: Frequently Asked Questions on Effective Communication for Students with Hearing, Vision, or Speech Disabilities in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
13. For children who are already receiving special education and related services under the IDEA, do parents have to make specific requests for different or additional auxiliary aids and services to trigger the Title II obligations for effective communication? Also, once the decision is made to provide a particular auxiliary aid or service to a student with a hearing, vision, or speech disability, does the school district have any obligation under either Title II or the IDEA to revisit that decision? If so, when?
When the school district knows that a student needs assistance with communication because, for example, he or she has a hearing, vision, or speech disability, the school district also has...
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Links > Advocacy/Legal Service
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Paralyzed Veterans of America, a congressionally chartered veterans service organization founded in 1946, has developed a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the...
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Products and Additional Resources > Products
Inclusion Solutions BallotCall™ Alert System
Plus, parking areas and entryways pose challenges to people with disabilities....
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Federal Documents > Standards > 2010 ADA Standards
Undefined Terms: ADA Standard Section 106.3
Section 106.3 of the ADA Standards covers information on the undefined terms in the ADA Standards.
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2022 California Standards
ACCESSIBILITY
combination of various elements in a building, facility, site, or area, or portion thereof which allows access, circulation and the full use of the building and facilities by persons with disabilities...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2025 California Standards
ACCESSIBILITY
combination of various elements in a building, facility, site, or area, or portion thereof which allows access, circulation and the full use of the building and facilities by persons with disabilities...
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Links > Federal Department or Agency
ADA.gov
Information and technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2022 California Standards
[ADA Title III §36.402(c)] To the maximum extent feasible
If providing accessibility in conformance with this section to individuals with certain disabilities (e.g., those who use wheelchairs) would not be feasible, the facility shall be made accessible...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2025 California Standards
[ADA Title III §36.402(c)] To the maximum extent feasible
If providing accessibility in conformance with this section to individuals with certain disabilities (e.g., those who use wheelchairs) would not be feasible, the facility shall be made accessible...
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Rulemaking Process Documents > Other Documents > 28 CFR Parts 35 and 36 Amendment of ADA Title II and Title III Regulations To Implement ADA Amendments Act of 2008 - Final Rule
§ 36.201 General
* * * * *
(c) Claims of no disability....
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Products and Additional Resources > Products
Kompan, Inc. Multi-sport Game Courts Freegame Court FRE2110
Adolescents with disabilities can access the activities to be part of the game or just relax and watch the play. Meet and move....
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Products and Additional Resources > Products
Kohler Manual Toilet Retrofit Flushometer Valve K-13516-RF-CP
resistance on all rubber components exposed to waterway
Durable cast brass construction
Does not include vacuum breaker or control stop
Complies with the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities...
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Products and Additional Resources > Products
TechnoGym® - Radiant Inclusive Commercial Fitness System
The Radiant Inclusive from the Selection Inclusive Line is commercial fitness equipment designed to be accessible to both disabled and able bodied exercisers....
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 28 CFR Part 36 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities (2010 ADA Title III Regulations with amendments issued through Dec. 2016)
Inquiry into the use of other power-driven mobility device. (Section-by-Section Analysis)
device users who do not have mobility disabilities....
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Additional Access Publications > Health Access for Independent Living (HAIL) Fact Sheet: Working with Your Health Care Provider
Attitudinal Barriers
They may fail to recognize that people with disabilities can be healthy....
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Links > Federal Department or Agency
National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)
NIDILRR is a federal government grants-making agency that sponsors grantees to generate new disability and rehabilitation knowledge and promote its use and adoption....
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 49 CFR Part 27 - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance (with amendments issued through Aug. 2015)
§27.7(b)(1)(iv)
(iv) Provide different or separate aid, benefits, or services to persons with a disability or to any class of persons with a disability unless such action is necessary to provide qualified...
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Links > Federal Department or Agency
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Withdrawn Technical Assistance: COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SERVICE ANIMALS IN PLACES OF BUSINESS
7. Q: Can I charge a maintenance or cleaning fee for customers who bring service animals into my business?
Neither a deposit nor a surcharge may be imposed on an individual with a disability as a condition to allowing a service animal to accompany the individual with a disability, even if deposits...
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Federal Documents > Standards > 2010 ADA Standards
Terms Defined in Referenced Standards: ADA Standard Section 106.2
Section 106.2 of the ADA Standards covers information on the definitions of terms that are defined in Referenced Standards.
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Research and History > Committee Reports > Access for All: Five Years of Progress - A Report from the Department of Justice on Enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act
I. INTRODUCTION
other Americans with no disabilities....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments
Integrated Setting
your government’s programs, services, or activities.22 However, even if a separate program is offered to people with disabilities or people with one kind of disability, a public entity...