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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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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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 > 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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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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Links > Federal Department or Agency
ADA.gov
Information and technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act...
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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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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...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Examples and Resources to Support Criminal Justice Entities in Compliance with Title II of the ADA
Examples and Resources to Support Criminal Justice Entities in Compliance with Title II of the ADA
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects individuals with mental health disabilities and intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) from discrimination within...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Title I Technical Assistance Manual
4.2 Overview of Legal Obligations
4.2 Overview of Legal Obligations
Qualification standards or selection criteria that screen out or tend to screen out an individual with a disability on the basis of disability...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Air Carrier Access Act Technical Assistance Manual (2005)
A. Complaint Procedures and Complaints Resolution Officials (CRO’s)
Carriers must (i) establish a procedure for resolving disability-related complaints raised by passengers with a disability and (ii) designate at least one CRO to be available to handle disability-related...
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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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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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Research and History > Regulations and Standards History > Equality of Opportunity: The Making of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Glossary of Acronyms
ACLU
American Civil Liberties Union
ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act
ADAPT
American Disabled for Accessible Public Transit (prior...
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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 > 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)
§ 36.105(d)(1)(ix)
(ix) The six-month “transitory” part of the “transitory and minor” exception in paragraph (f)(2) of this section does not apply to the “actual disability” or “record of” prongs of the definition...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 28 CFR Part 35 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services (2010 ADA Title II Regulations with amendments issued through Aug. 2016)
§ 35.108(d)(1)(ix)
(ix) The six-month “transitory” part of the “transitory and minor” exception in paragraph (f)(2) of this section does not apply to the “actual disability” or “record of” prongs of the definition...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2025 California Standards
ACCESSIBLE ELEMENT
An ACCESSIBLE ELEMENT can include a room, area, route, feature or device which provides accessibility for persons with disabilities. ◼...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2022 California Standards
ACCESSIBLE ELEMENT
An ACCESSIBLE ELEMENT can include a room, area, route, feature or device which provides accessibility for persons with disabilities. ◼...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Expanding Your Market: Building a Diverse Customer Base
The ADA’s Benefits to Businesses
It is clearly in the interest of businesses to make their facilities and services accessible to customers with disabilities. According to the U.S....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Withdrawn Technical Assistance: Title II Highlights (revised in 2008)
V. Integrated Programs
Integration of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of society is fundamental to the purposes of the Americans with Disabilities Act....
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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)
§ 36.302(f)(8)(i) Single-event tickets
For the sale of single-event tickets, it is permissible to inquire whether the individual purchasing the tickets for accessible seating has a mobility disability or a disability that requires...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > FCC Consumer Guide: Video Description
For more information
For more information
For more information about FCC programs to promote access for people with disabilities, visit the FCC's Disability Rights Office website at www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia...