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 > Technical Assistance > Title I Technical Assistance Manual
1630.2(o)(3)
(3) To determine the appropriate reasonable accommodation it may be necessary for the covered entity to initiate an informal, interactive process with the qualified individual with a 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)
§382.85(a)(1)(i)
(i) When a passenger with a disability not described in §382.81(a) through (d) of this part makes a reservation more than 24 hours before the scheduled departure time of the flight, you...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 49 CFR Parts 37 & 38 - Department of Transportation (DOT) ADA Regulations
§ 37.207(b)
., family members or traveling companions of a passenger with a disability, medical or public safety personnel) for routine boarding or other assistance to passengers with disabilities,...
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Links > Federal Department or Agency
FAA Advisory Circular 150/5360-14: Access to Airport by Individuals with Disabilities
(Link to this document as a PDF online)
Advisory Circular
Subject: ACCESS TO AIRPORTS BY INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Date: 6/30/99
Initiated by: AAS-100 AC No: 150/5360-14...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2022 California Standards
11B-221.2.1.6 Specialty seating areas
buildings and facilities, if it is not readily achievable for wheelchair spaces to be placed in each specialty seating area, those services or amenities shall be provided to individuals with disabilities...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2022 California Standards
3. Medical Diagnostic Equipment
Act provide design criteria for examination tables and chairs, weight scales, radiological and mammography equipment, and other diagnostic equipment that are accessible to people with disabilities...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2025 California Standards
11B-221.2.1.6 Specialty seating areas
buildings and facilities, if it is not readily achievable for wheelchair spaces to be placed in each specialty seating area, those services or amenities shall be provided to individuals with disabilities...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2025 California Standards
3. Medical Diagnostic Equipment
Act provide design criteria for examination tables and chairs, weight scales, radiological and mammography equipment, and other diagnostic equipment that are accessible to people with disabilities...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Title I Technical Assistance Manual
1. Job-Related
Job-Related
If a qualification standard, test or other selection criterion operates to screen out an individual with a disability, or a class of such individuals on the basis of disability...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Protecting the Rights of Parents and Prospective Parents with Disabilities: Technical Assistance for State and Local Child Welfare Agencies and Courts
7. What is a reasonable modification?
, unless the change would result in a fundamental alteration to the nature of the program.67 Parenting skills do not come naturally to many parents, with or without disabilities. ...
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Legal Documents > United States of America v. Employees' Retirement Systems of Alabama, Teachers' Retirement Systems of Alabama, and PCH Hotels & Resorts, Inc. - Consent Decree
VI. POLICIES, PRACTICES, AND PROCEDURES
The Hotel's policy shall specify that accessible rooms may be rented to persons who do not have the corresponding disabilities only if all non-accessible rooms in the same class in the Hotel...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > ADA Requirements - Wheelchairs, Mobility Aids, and Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices
Requirements Regarding Mobility Devices and Aids
Requirements Regarding Mobility Devices and Aids
Under the new rules, covered entities must allow people with disabilities who use wheelchairs (including manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs...
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Additional Access Publications > Accessible Health Care Briefs: HEALTH CARE (Clinic/Outpatient) FACILITIES ACCESS
1. a. Complying with the ADA
The major pieces of federal legislation governing equal access to health care services for individuals with disabilities are the Rehabilitation Act (Rehab Act) and the Americans with Disabilities...
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Additional Access Publications > Accessible Health Care Briefs: CHOOSING AND NEGOTIATING AN ACCESSIBLE FACILITY LOCATION
1. a. Complying with the ADA
The major pieces of federal legislation governing equal access to health care services for individuals with disabilities are the Rehabilitation Act (Rehab Act) and the Americans with Disabilities...
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Products and Additional Resources > Products
S. R. Smith Splash! Pool Lift
Lift series meets the Americans with Disabilities Act Access Guidelines (ADAAG 2010). In addition to the standard configuration, the Splash!...
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Products and Additional Resources > Products
Elkay Cane Apron LKAPREZL for use with EZ Bi-Level Drinking Fountains
Accessory apron designed to bring Elkay water coolers into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) when units are mounted on an exposed wall....
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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 July 2003)
§ 382.7 General prohibition of discrimination
(a) A carrier shall not, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements:
(1) Discriminate against any otherwise qualified individual with a disability, by reason of...
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Additional Access Publications > ADA Title II Action Guide for State and Local Governments
Equal Opportunity
Title II requires that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in public entities’ programs, services and activities in the most integrated manner appropriate...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Air Carrier Access Act Technical Assistance Manual (2005)
A. Accessibility of Terminal Facilities and Services
leased, or operated by a carrier at a commercial service airport, including parking and ground transportation, must comply with the Standards for Accessible Design under the Americans with Disabilities...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA
Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA
Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section
Link to PDF Version
Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA
Many people with...
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Legal Documents > United States of America v. Franciscan St. James Health - Settlement Agreement
EXHIBIT A
Other: ________________
Does the person with a disability want an onsite professional sign language or oral interpreter?...
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State and Local Documents > Laws > Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 (with amendments issued through 2008)
12182(b)(1)(A)(i) Denial of participation
(i) Denial of participation
It shall be discriminatory to subject an individual or class of individuals on the basis of a disability or disabilities of such individual or class, directly...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Appendix to 29 CFR Part 1630—Interpretive Guidance on Title I of the Americans With Disabilities Act
Section 1630.11 Administration of Tests
perform merely because a disability prevents them from taking a test, or negatively influences the results of a test, that is a prerequisite to the job....
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Rulemaking Process Documents > NPRMS > 28 CFR Part 35 Title II Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) - Preamble (published 2008)
Section 35.136 Service Animals (Section-by-Section Analysis)
now states that, "[a] public entity shall make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures when the modifications are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability...