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 > ADA Requirements - Service Animals
Overview
A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability....
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Research and History > Research Documents > Accessible Exterior Surfaces Technical Article
Human Subject Testing
Subjects were recruited by gender and mobility limitation (no known disability, ambulatory with limited mobility, ambulatory with assistive devices, and manual wheelchair use)....
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Research and History > Regulations and Standards History > Americans with Disabilities Act 25th Anniversary Timeline - Disability & Employment
Transportation as an Employment Support
Transportation as an Employment Support
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1983
Across the nation, disability advocates draw attention to the importance...
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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)
§ 35.160(b)(2)
In determining what types of auxiliary aids and services are necessary, a public entity shall give primary consideration to the requests of individuals with disabilities....
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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)
§ 35.150(d)(1)
A public entity shall provide an opportunity to interested persons, including individuals with disabilities or organizations representing individuals with disabilities, to participate in...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2016 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide - Eff. Jan. 1, 2017
ACCESSIBLE ROUTE
[DSA-AC & HCD 1-AC] A continuous unobstructed path connecting accessible elements and spaces of an accessible site, building or facility that can be negotiated by a person with a disability...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2019 California Standards
ACCESSIBLE ROUTE
[DSA-AC & HCD 1-AC] A continuous unobstructed path connecting accessible elements and spaces of an accessible site, building or facility that can be negotiated by a person with a disability...
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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)
Appendix C to Part 35— Guidance to Revisions to ADA Title II and Title III Regulations Revising the Meaning and Interpretation of the Definition of “Disability” and Other Provisions in Order To Incorporate the Requirements of the ADA Amendments Act
Note: This appendix contains guidance providing a section-by-section analysis of the revisions to 28 CFR parts 35 and 36 published on August 11, 2016.
Click here to view Appendix...
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Webinars, Videos, and Training > Spirit of the ADA
"We Welcome Service Animals" National Campaign Video
Requires the Registered User plan or above.
Login!
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Links > State Department or Agency
State of California Disability Access Services (DAS) - Digital Access: Websites, Documents & Section 508
Contact Disability Access Services (DAS)
(916) 558-5755
(844) 729-2800 (TTY)
Email: DASinfo@dor.ca.gov
DAS Trainings
Introduction to ADA/FEHA
Practical...
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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)
§382.23(b)(1)
(1) You may require a medical certificate for a passenger with a disability—...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Title I Technical Assistance Manual
1630.3(e)
(e) Homosexuality and bisexuality are not impairments and so are not disabilities as defied in this part....
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State and Local Documents > Laws > Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 (with amendments issued through 2008)
12188(b)(2)(A)(iii)
(iii) making facilities readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities;...
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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.36.504(a)(1)(iii)
(iii) Making facilities readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities;...
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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)
§ 36.504(a)(1)(iii)
(iii) Making facilities readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities;...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 29 CFR Part 1630, Regulations to Implement the Equal Employment Provisions of the ADA (Title I Regulations with amendments issued through May 2016)
§1630.3(e)
(e) Homosexuality and bisexuality are not impairments and so are not disabilities as defined in this part....
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 49 CFR Parts 37 & 38 - Department of Transportation (DOT) ADA Regulations
§ 37.207(a)
(a) Deny transportation to passengers with disabilities, except as provided in §37.5(h);...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 49 CFR Parts 37 & 38 - Department of Transportation (DOT) ADA Regulations
§ 37.5(e)
(e) An entity shall not require that an individual with disabilities be accompanied by an attendant....
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Research and History > Regulations and Standards History > Equality of Opportunity: The Making of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Building Support for S. 933
Persons with disabilities began writing letters urging their representatives to support the ADA....
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Products and Additional Resources > Products
Garaventa Evacu-Trac CD7 Evacuation Chair
During an emergency even most elevators are disabled (for safety reasons)....
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Legal Documents > KIROLA v. THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO
A. TITLE II OF THE ADA
TITLE II OF THE ADA
"Congress enacted the ADA in 1990 to remedy widespread discrimination against disabled individuals." PGA Tour, Inc. v. Martin, 532 U.S. 661, 674 (2001)....
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Rulemaking Process Documents > Committee Activity and Reports > Recommendations on Standards for the Design of Medical Diagnostic Equipment for Adults with Disabilities, Advisory Committee Final Report
Notes
Notes
A As for persons without disabilities, individual patients with disabilities have their own set of health conditions, including coexisting diseases and health risk factors that...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > An ADA Guide for Local Governments: Making Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Programs Accessible to People with Disabilities
SHELTERING
But many of these shelters have not been accessible to people with disabilities....
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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)
Section 35.160 Communications. (Section-by-Section Analysis)
, but to companions as well, if any of them are individuals with disabilities....