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 > SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY DJ No. 205-17-13
BACKGROUND
Under Title I of the ADA, it is unlawful for an employer to make inquiries as to whether an applicant is an individual with a disability, or as to the nature of such disability, before making...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2025 California Standards
11B-1005.2.1.1 Dispersion
Portions of the railings that are lowered to provide fishing opportunities for persons with disabilities must be located in a variety of locations on the fishing pier or platform to give...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2022 California Standards
11B-1005.2.1.1 Dispersion
Portions of the railings that are lowered to provide fishing opportunities for persons with disabilities must be located in a variety of locations on the fishing pier or platform to give...
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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)
§382.1 What is the purpose of this part?
This rule prohibits both U.S. and foreign carriers from discriminating against passengers on the basis of disability; requires carriers to make aircraft, other facilities, and services accessible...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > Elimination of Architectural Barriers - TDLR Government Code, Chapter 469
Sec. 469.053(a)
The committee shall consist of building professionals and persons with disabilities who are familiar with architectural barrier problems and solutions....
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State and Local Documents > Laws > Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 (with amendments issued through 2008)
12184(b)(1)
(1) the imposition or application by an entity described in subsection (a) of eligibility criteria that screen out or tend to screen out an individual with a disability or any class of individuals...
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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)
§ 36.401(c)(3)
(3) If providing accessibility in conformance with this section to individuals with certain disabilities (e.g., those who use wheelchairs) would be structurally impracticable, accessibility...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 28 CFR Part 36 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities (1991 ADA Title III Regulations)
Sec.36.401(c)(3)
(3) If providing accessibility in conformance with this section to individuals with certain disabilities (e.g., those who use wheelchairs) would be structurally impracticable, accessibility...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA
Q11. Can hotels assign designated rooms for guests with service animals, out of consideration for other guests?
A guest with a disability who uses a service animal must be provided the same opportunity to reserve any available room at the hotel as other guests without disabilities....
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 49 CFR Parts 37 & 38 - Department of Transportation (DOT) ADA Regulations
§ 37.41(b)(3)
(3) If providing accessibility in conformance with this section to individuals with certain disabilities (e.g., those who use wheelchairs) would be structurally impracticable, accessibility...
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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)
§ 35.151(a)(2)(iii)
(iii) If providing accessibility in conformance with this section to individuals with certain disabilities (e.g., those who use wheelchairs) would be structurally impracticable, accessibility...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2012 Florida Accessibility Code
203.15.3
203.15.3 If providing accessibility in conformance with this section to individuals with certain disabilities (e.g., those who use wheelchairs) would be structurally impracticable, accessibility...
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Federal Documents > Preamble to Regulations > 14 CFR Part 382 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel (Air Carrier Access Act): Preamble and Section-by-Section Analysis (with amendments issued through July 2010)
Background
The 1996 DOT guidance document defines a service animal as “any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability....
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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
ACCESSIBILITY
The Title II regulations, which apply to public schools and their facilities, provide requirements for accessibility to persons with disabilities.5 For example, Title II applies to public...
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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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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > ADA Requirements - Testing Accommodations
ADA Requirements - Testing Accommodations
Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section
Testing Accommodations
Standardized examinations and other high-stakes tests are gateways to educational...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > The ADA and City Governments: Common Problems
Issue: Local Laws, Ordinances, and Regulations
Result:
Laws, ordinances, and regulations that appear to be neutral often adversely impact individuals with disabilities....
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Additional Access Publications > ADA Title II Action Guide for State and Local Governments
Eligibility Criteria
Public entities may not use eligibility criteria that screen out or tend to screen out people with disabilities unless the eligibility criteria are necessary to participate in the program...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > ADA Business Connection: Maintaining Accessibility in Museums
Museum Investments in Access
Since the 1970s, numerous museums across the country have initiated efforts to improve the accessibility of their buildings and programs for visitors with disabilities....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Revised ADA Requirements: Ticket Sales
What is an Accessible Seat and Who Can Use One?
Aisle seats with retractable or removable armrests, which are called "designated aisle seats" and can be used by some people with disabilities, are not covered by these ticketing requirements...
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Rulemaking Process Documents > NPRMS > 36 CFR Part 1194 - Proposed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Standards and Guidelines NPRM - Preamble
E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
final rules that enforce constitutional rights of individuals or enforce statutory rights that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or disability...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Withdrawn Technical Assistance: The ADA: Questions and Answers
Q. Who is protected against employment discrimination?
Employment discrimination is prohibited against "qualified individuals with disabilities."...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2012 Florida Accessibility Code
203.9 Employee Work Areas
Spaces and elements within employee work areas shall only be required to comply with 206.2.8, 207.1, and 215.3 and shall be designed and constructed so that individuals with disabilities...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2013 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide
11B-108 Maintenance of accessible features
A public accommodation shall maintain in operable working condition those features of facilities and equipment that are required to be accessible to and useable by persons with disabilities...