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 > 14 CFR Part 382 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel (Air Carrier Access Act) (with amendments issued through May 2016)
§382.3 Equivalent alternative
Equivalent alternative means a policy, practice, or other accommodation that provides substantially equivalent accessibility to passengers with disabilities, compared to compliance with...
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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)
§382.83(a)(2)
(2) You may designate an adequate number of the seats used to provide seating accommodations required by §382.81 as “priority seats” for passengers with a disability....
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Federal Documents > Standards > 36 CFR Part 1194 - Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Final Standards and Guidelines (with amendments issued through Jan. 2018)
602.4 Alternate Formats for Non-Electronic Support Documentation
Where support documentation is only provided in non-electronic formats, alternate formats usable by individuals with disabilities shall be provided upon request....
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Rulemaking Process Documents > NPRMS > 28 CFR Part 35 Title II Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) (published 2008)
§ 35.152(b)(2)(iv)
(iv) Should not deprive inmates or detainees with disabilities of visitation with family members by placing them in distant facilities where they would not otherwise be housed....
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State and Local Documents > Laws > Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 (with amendments issued through 2008)
12102(4)(C)
(C) An impairment that substantially limits one major life activity need not limit other major life activities in order to be considered 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 (1991 ADA Title II Regulations)
§35-130(e)(2)
(2) Nothing in the Act or this part authorizes the representative or guardian of an individual with a disability to decline food, water, medical treatment, or medical services for that individual...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 28 CFR Part 35 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in State and Local Government Services (1991 ADA Title II Regulations)
§35.160(b)(2)
(2) In determining what type of auxiliary aid and service is necessary, a public entity shall give primary consideration to the requests of the individual 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)
§ 36.203(c)(2)
(2) Nothing in the Act or this part authorizes the representative or guardian of an individual with a disability to decline food, water, medical treatment, or medical services for that individual...
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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)
§ 36.307(a)
(a) This part does not require a public accommodation to alter its inventory to include accessible or special goods that are designed for, or facilitate use 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.36.203(c)(2)
(2) Nothing in the Act or this part authorizes the representative or guardian of an individual with a disability to decline food, water, medical treatment, or medical services for that individual...
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Federal Documents > Standards > 1991 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
A4.6.5 Vertical Clearance
High-top vans, which disabled people or transportation services often use, require higher clearances in parking garages than automobiles....
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Federal Documents > Standards > 1991 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
A4.15.2 Spout Height
Two drinking fountains, mounted side by side or on a single post, are usable by people with disabilities and people who find it difficult to bend over....
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 24 CFR Part 100—Discriminatory Conduct Under the Fair Housing Act (with amendments issued through Sept. 2016)
§100.305(e)(4)
(4) There are units occupied by persons who are necessary to provide a reasonable accommodation to disabled residents as required by §100.204 and who are under the age of 55....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Withdrawn Technical Assistance: COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SERVICE ANIMALS IN PLACES OF BUSINESS
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SERVICE ANIMALS IN PLACES OF BUSINESS
Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SERVICE ANIMALS IN PLACES OF BUSINESS...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 36 CFR Part 1193 Telecommunications Act (Section 255) Accessibility Guidelines
Peripheral devices
connection with telecommunications equipment or customer premises equipment to translate, enhance, or otherwise transform telecommunications into a form accessible to 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)
§ 35.130(e)(2)
(2) Nothing in the Act or this part authorizes the representative or guardian of an individual with a disability to decline food, water, medical treatment, or medical services for that individual...
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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)
§ 35.152(b)(2)(iv)
(iv) Shall not deprive inmates or detainees with disabilities of visitation with family members by placing them in distant facilities where they would not otherwise be housed....
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2016 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide - Eff. Jan. 1, 2017
ACCESSIBLE
[DSA-AC & HCD 1-AC] A site, building, facility, or portion thereof that is approachable and usable by persons with disabilities in compliance with this code....
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2019 California Standards
ACCESSIBLE
[DSA-AC & HCD 1-AC] A site, building, facility, or portion thereof that is approachable and usable by persons with disabilities in compliance with this code....
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Research and History > Regulations and Standards History > Equality of Opportunity: The Making of the Americans with Disabilities Act
The Twin Pillars
, give priority to those with severe disabilities, provide for extensive research and training for rehabilitation services, and coordinate federal disability programs....
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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
National Council on Independent Living
NCIL’s 30-plus years of experience as advocates for people with disabilities dictates that we continue to strongly insist that the U.S....
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Research and History > Research Documents > The Impact of Transfer Setup on the Performance of Independent Transfers: Phase I Final Report
Subjects
Table 1 contains the self-reported type of disabilities and the number of subjects that reported them....
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Additional Access Publications > ADA Compliance Process by Evan Terry Associates
ADA Title III: Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities Fact Sheet
Benefits provided for people with disabilities cannot be separate or different from those provided for others, unless they are as effective as those provided for others....
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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)
Definition of "wheelchair." (Section-by-Section Analysis)
With regard to the term ‘‘mobility impairments,'' the Department intended a broad reading so that a wide range of disabilities, including circulatory and respiratory disabilities, that make...