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 > 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)
§ 36.309(c)(4)
(4) Courses must be administered in facilities that are accessible to individuals with disabilities or alternative accessible arrangements must be made....
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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)
§ 36.303(c)(2)
(2) A public accommodation shall not require an individual with a disability to bring another individual to interpret for him or her....
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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.36.309(c)(4)
(4) Courses must be administered in facilities that are accessible to individuals with disabilities or alternative accessible arrangements must be made....
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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)
§ 36.303(c)(3)
(3) A public accommodation shall not rely on an adult accompanying an individual with a disability to interpret or facilitate communication, except—...
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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)
§1630.2(j)(1)(vii)
(vii) An impairment that is episodic or in remission is a disability if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active....
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Legal Documents > United States of America v. Hilton Worldwide Inc. - Consent Decree
16(a)(vi)
(vi) The accessible rooms for individuals with mobility disabilities have accessible bathrooms that comply with ADA Standards § 4.23....
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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)
§ 35.136(b) Exceptions
A public entity may ask an individual with a disability to remove a service animal from the premises if—...
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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(c)(2)
(2) A public entity shall not rely on an adult accompanying an individual with a disability to interpret or facilitate communication except—...
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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(c)(1)
(1) A public entity shall not require an individual with a disability to bring another individual to interpret for him or her....
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 49 CFR Parts 37 & 38 - Department of Transportation (DOT) ADA Regulations
§ 37.87(c)(1)
(1) An initial solicitation for used vehicles specifying that all used vehicles accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities;...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 49 CFR Parts 37 & 38 - Department of Transportation (DOT) ADA Regulations
§ 37.139(e)
(e) A description of the process used to certify individuals with disabilities as ADA paratransit eligible. At a minimum, this must include—...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 49 CFR Parts 37 & 38 - Department of Transportation (DOT) ADA Regulations
§ 37.183(b)(1)
(1) Ensure that the vehicle is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs; or...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 49 CFR Parts 37 & 38 - Department of Transportation (DOT) ADA Regulations
§ 37.1 Purpose
The purpose of this part is to implement the transportation and related provisions of titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990....
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Links > Nonprofit Organization
Regulatory Task Forces - The Mayer-Rothschild Foundation
In 2010 the Rothschild Foundation initiated a Task Force under the auspices of the AIA Design for Aging Community which is looking at how modifications to the ADA Access Guidelines...
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Links > Nonprofit Organization
Case Law/Legal Briefs compiled by the Southeast ADA Center
Legal and policy developments relevant to civil rights protections and the impact of court decisions in the Southeast Region under the ADA are analyzed in partnership with the Burton...
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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
Studies of Wheeled Mobility Devices and Transferring Abilities
Secondary conditions and disability. In: Field MJ, Jette AM, Martin L (eds). Workshop on disability in America. A new look. Summary and background papers....
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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)
"Other Power-Driven Mobility Device" and "Wheelchair" (Section-by-Section Analysis)
‘‘Other Power-Driven Mobility Device'' and ‘‘Wheelchair'' (Section-by-Section Analysis)
Because relatively few individuals with disabilities were using nontraditional mobility devices...
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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)
"Other Power-Driven Mobility Device" and "Wheelchair" (Section-by-Section Analysis)
‘‘Other Power-Driven Mobility Device'' and ‘‘Wheelchair'' (Section-by-Section Analysis)
Because relatively few individuals with disabilities were using nontraditional mobility devices...
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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)
§382.43(d)
(d) As a carrier covered under paragraph (c) of this section, you must provide a mechanism on your primary Web site for persons with disabilities to request disability accommodation services...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > ADA: Know Your Rights - Returning Service Members with Disabilities
Effective Communication
Effective Communication
Businesses must communicate effectively with customers who have vision, hearing, or speech disabilities....
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Rulemaking Process Documents > NPRMS > 28 CFR Part 36 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities NPRM: Preamble (2008 Title III NPRM Preamble)
Proposed training standards.
The Department has always required that service animals be individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, but has never imposed any...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 14 CFR Parts 382 and 399; 49 CFR Part 27 - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel: Accessibility of Web Sites and Automated Kiosks at U.S. Airports
§ 382.43(d)
(d) As a carrier covered under paragraph (c) of this section, you must provide a mechanism on your primary Web site for persons with disabilities to request disability accommodation services...
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Additional Access Publications > ADA Title II Action Guide for State and Local Governments
ADA National Network
on implementing the ADA to support the mission of the ADA to “assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Commonly Asked Questions About Child Care Centers and the Americans with Disabilities Act
28. Q: Does the United States ever participate in lawsuits brought by private citizens?
One suit in which the United States participated was brought by a disability rights group against KinderCare Learning Centers....