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.
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Title II Technical Assistance Manual
II-4.3400 Preemployment medical examinations and medical inquiries
During the hiring process, public entities may ask about an applicant's ability to perform job-related functions but may not ask whether an applicant is disabled or about the nature or severity...
-
Products and Additional Resources > Products
Guldmann Basic High Sling
Purpose
The sling is suited for lifting or transferring a person with disabilities in hospitals, at nursing homes, institutions, swimming pools, riding schools and in private homes....
-
Products and Additional Resources > Products
SafePath Courtedge™ Reducer Ramps
Proper installation of raised wood floors, especially in retrofit and replacement projects, are problematic when faced with interpreting federal and state ADA (Americans with Disabilities...
-
Products and Additional Resources > Products
Seton Florida State Parking Signs - ISA Symbol
Easy to understand ISA symbol marks parking spaces for disabled guests
Signs are compliant with Florida state and federal guidelines on accessible parking
Sign measures...
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Title I Technical Assistance Manual
Accommodations to Ensure Equal Benefits of Employment
Accommodations to Ensure Equal Benefits of Employment
Reasonable accommodations must be provided to enable an employee with a disability to enjoy benefits and privileges of employment...
-
Products and Additional Resources > Disability Etiquette > Effective Interaction: Communicating With and About People with Disabilities in the Workplace
References
References
"Guidelines for Reporting and Writing About People with Disabilities," produced by the Research and Training Center on Independent Living, University of Kansas....
-
Research and History > Regulations and Standards History > Americans with Disabilities Act 25th Anniversary Timeline - Disability & Employment
California Hosts First Youth Leadership Forum
California Hosts First Youth Leadership Forum
________________________________________________________________
1992
The California Governor’s Committee for Employment of Disabled...
-
Federal Documents > Preamble to Regulations > 28 CFR Part 36, Appendix B: Preamble to Regulation on Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities (1991 ADA Title III Regulations Preamble)
Section 36.101 Purpose (Section-By-Section Analysis and Response to Comments)
Section 36.101 Purpose (Section-By-Section Analysis and Response to Comments)
Section 36.101 states the purpose of the rule, which is to effectuate title III of the Americans with Disabilities...
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Title II Technical Assistance Manual
II-3.4000 Separate benefit/integrated setting
A primary goal of the ADA is the equal participation of individuals with disabilities in the "mainstream" of American society....
-
Additional Access Publications > Guidelines for Writing about People with Disabilities
Words are powerful.
The words you use and the way you portray individuals with disabilities matters....
-
State and Local Documents > Laws > Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 (with amendments issued through 2008)
Sec. 12132. Discrimination. [Section 202]
Subject to the provisions of this subchapter, no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of...
-
Federal Documents > Standards > 1991 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
A4.23.9 Medicine Cabinets
Other alternatives for storing medical and personal care items are very useful to disabled people....
-
Federal Documents > Standards > Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS)
A4.23.9 MEDICINE CABINETS
Other alternatives for storing medical and personal care items are very useful to disabled people....
-
Rulemaking Process Documents > NPRMS > 36 CFR Part 1195 Proposed Accessibility Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment NPRM
M101.1 Purpose
The standards contain technical criteria for medical diagnostic equipment that is accessible to and usable by patients with disabilities....
-
State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2022 California Standards
11B-233.3.2.1 Buyer identified residential dwelling units for sale
In such programs, the covered entity must provide the units that comply with the requirements for accessible features to those pre-identified buyers with disabilities who have requested...
-
State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2022 California Standards
11B-502.8.2 Lettering
1 inch (25 mm) the following:
"Unauthorized vehicles parked in designated accessible spaces not displaying distinguishing placards or special license plates issued for persons with disabilities...
-
State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2022 California Standards
11B-904.2 Approach
counter, locate the accessible counter close to the cash register so that a person using a wheelchair is visible to sales or service personnel and to minimize the reach for a person with a disability...
-
State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2025 California Standards
11B-233.3.2.1 Buyer identified residential dwelling units for sale
In such programs, the covered entity must provide the units that comply with the requirements for accessible features to those pre-identified buyers with disabilities who have requested...
-
State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2025 California Standards
11B-502.8.2 Lettering
1 inch (25 mm) the following:
"Unauthorized vehicles parked in designated accessible spaces not displaying distinguishing placards or special license plates issued for persons with disabilities...
-
State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2025 California Standards
11B-904.2 Approach
counter, locate the accessible counter close to the cash register so that a person using a wheelchair is visible to sales or service personnel and to minimize the reach for a person with a disability...
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Title I Technical Assistance Manual
12112(d)(2)(A) Prohibited examination or inquiry
-Except as provided in paragraph (3), a covered entity shall not conduct a medical examination or make inquiries of a job applicant as to whether such applicant is an individual with a disability...
-
State and Local Documents > Laws > Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 (with amendments issued through 2008)
12112(d)(2)(A) Prohibited examination or inquiry
Except as provided in paragraph (3), a covered entity shall not conduct a medical examination or make inquiries of a job applicant as to whether such applicant is an individual with a disability...
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > ADAAG Manual
Leased/ Assigned Parking
Use of accessible spaces by people without disabilities may be possible so long as access is not denied to people with disabilities as needed....
-
Rulemaking Process Documents > NPRMS > 36 CFR Part 1195 Proposed Accessibility Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment NPRM - Preamble
M101.1 Purpose
The proposed standards contain technical criteria for medical diagnostic equipment that is accessible to and usable by patients with disabilities....