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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Legal Documents > KIROLA v. THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO
E. EXPERT TESTIMONY
Mastin is a licensed architect and was received by the Court as an expert in architecture, construction, disability access, program access for mobility disabled persons, ADA transition plans...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2025 California Standards
WHEELCHAIR
[ADA Title II §35.104] Wheelchair means a manually-operated or power-driven device designed primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability for the main purpose of indoor or...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2022 California Standards
WHEELCHAIR
[ADA Title II §35.104] Wheelchair means a manually-operated or power-driven device designed primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability for the main purpose of indoor or...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Questions and Answers: The ADA and Persons with HIV/AIDS
What obligations does an employer have to provide health insurance to employees with HIV or AIDS?
companies that discriminate on the basis of disability....
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 14 CFR Part 382 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel (Air Carrier Access Act) (with amendments issued through May 2016)
§382.141(a)(2)
(2) You must also train such employees with respect to awareness and appropriate responses to passengers with a disability, including persons with physical, sensory, mental, and emotional...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 14 CFR Part 382 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel (Air Carrier Access Act) (with amendments issued through May 2016)
§382.87(a)
(a) As a carrier, you must not exclude any passenger with a disability from any seat or require that a passenger with a disability sit in any particular seat, on the basis of disability,...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2022 California Standards
1. Public Rights-of-Way
From the Board’s website:
"“The Access Board is proud to issue these guidelines as a critical step toward equal access to the public right-of-way for people with disabilities in America...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2025 California Standards
1. Public Rights-of-Way
From the Board’s website:
"“The Access Board is proud to issue these guidelines as a critical step toward equal access to the public right-of-way for people with disabilities in America...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Title I Technical Assistance Manual
5.4 Recruitment
It does not require employers to undertake special activities to recruit people with disabilities....
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Products and Additional Resources > Products
Yale 6400LN Series Grade 1 Cylindrical Locks
ADA: The 6400LN meets accessibility guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the requirements of the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards and ANSI 117.1, all requiring ease...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments
A. Providing Equally Effective Communication
Simply put, “effective communication” means that whatever is written or spoken must be as clear and understandable to people with disabilities as it is for people who do not have disabilities...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Creating Equal Opportunities for Children and Youth with Disabilities to Participate in Physical Education and Extracurricular Activities
EQUIPMENT
Appropriate equipment can help children and youth with disabilities participate in appropriate physical activity....
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Links > Federal Department or Agency
Voters With Disabilities: Access to Polling Places and Alternative Voting Methods
Voting is the foundation of our American democratic system, and federal law generally requires access to voting on Election Day for people with disabilities....
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Links > Independent Living
Disabled Renters' Housing Rights Fact Sheet by AGIS
A fact sheet by AGIS (Assist Guide Information Service) describing laws relating to renting a house or apartment if you have a disability....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Title I Technical Assistance Manual
Temporary Impairments
Temporary Impairments
Employers frequently ask whether "temporary disabilities" are covered by the ADA....
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Federal Documents > Preamble to Standards > 36 CFR Part 1195 Standards for Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment - Preamble
M101.1 Purpose (Section-by-Section Analysis)
to provide patients with disabilities independent access to and use of diagnostic equipment to the maximum extent possible....
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Links > News/Social Media
ADA Shop Talk
ADA Shop Talk is for professionals or business owners who may struggle with understanding the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act Standards or the ADA as we call it....
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Federal Documents > Standards > 36 CFR Part 1194 - Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Final Standards and Guidelines (with amendments issued through Jan. 2018)
E203.2 User Needs
When agencies procure, develop, maintain or use ICT they shall identify the needs of users with disabilities to determine:
A....
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 28 CFR Part 35 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services (1991 ADA Title II Regulations)
§35.130(b)(1)(iv)
(iv) Provide different or separate aids, benefits, or services to individuals with disabilities or to any class of individuals with disabilities than is provided to others unless such action...
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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)
§ 35.130(b)(1)(iv)
(iv) Provide different or separate aids, benefits, or services to individuals with disabilities or to any class of individuals with disabilities than is provided to others unless such action...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 49 CFR Parts 37 & 38 - Department of Transportation (DOT) ADA Regulations
§ 37.167(j)(1)
(1) When an individual with a disability enters a vehicle, and because of a disability, the individual needs to sit in a seat or occupy a wheelchair securement location, the entity shall...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Questions and Answers: The ADA and Persons with HIV/AIDS
When is an employer required to make a reasonable accommodation?
An employer is only required to accommodate a “known” disability of a qualified applicant or employee....
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 36 CFR Part 1193 Telecommunications Act (Section 255) Accessibility Guidelines
1193.23(b)(4) (Advisory Guidance)
Manufacturers must consider how they can make reasonable efforts to validate any unproven access solutions through testing with individuals with disabilities or with appropriate disability-related...
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Links > Nonprofit Organization
Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)
The Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) is the world’s leading adult ADHD organization. We are an international non-profit – 501C – organization founded over twenty-five...