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 > Protecting the Rights of Parents and Prospective Parents with Disabilities: Technical Assistance for State and Local Child Welfare Agencies and Courts
3. Who do Title II of the ADA and Section 504 protect in child welfare programs?
Answer: Title II of the ADA and Section 504 protect qualified individuals with disabilities, which can include children, parents, legal guardians, relatives, other caretakers, foster and...
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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(b)(1)(i)
(i) Deny a qualified individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service;...
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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(b)(1)(i)
(i) Deny a qualified individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service;...
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Legal Documents > United States of America, Plaintiff, v. Cinemark USA, Inc., Defendant - Consent Order
1.1 ADA
1.1 "ADA" shall mean and refer to the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Enforcement Guidance: Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship Under the Americans with Disabilities Act
8. Are there situations in which an employer cannot ask for documentation in response to a request for reasonable accommodation?
An employer cannot ask for documentation when: (1) both the disability and the need for reasonable accommodation are obvious, or (2) the individual has already provided the employer with...
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Research and History > Regulations and Standards History > Equality of Opportunity: The Making of the Americans with Disabilities Act
The White House Signing Ceremony
The White House Signing Ceremony
As early as May 1, 1990, President Bush told persons with disabilities that there would be “a proud bill-signing ceremony” for the Americans with Disabilities...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Enforcement Guidance: Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship Under the Americans with Disabilities Act
34. Does an employer have to allow an employee with a disability to work at home as a reasonable accommodation?
(2)(ii) (1997) (modifications or adjustments to the manner or circumstances under which the position held or desired is customarily performed that enable a qualified individual with a disability...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Title I Technical Assistance Manual
12210(a) In General
.-- For purposes of this Act, the term
individual with a disability does not include an individual who is currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs, when the covered entity acts...
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State and Local Documents > Laws > Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 (with amendments issued through 2008)
12210(a) In general
(a) In general
For purposes of this chapter, the term "individual with a disability" does not include an individual who is currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs, when the covered...
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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)
(2) Public entities shall ensure that inmates or detainees with disabilities are housed in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of the individuals....
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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(b)(2)
(2) A public entity may not deny a qualified individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in services, programs, or activities that are not separate or different, despite...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Questions and Answers on the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 for Students with Disabilities Attending Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
Q2: What is the Amendments Act?
2008 and became effective on January 1, 2009.3 Congress passed the Amendments Act in part to supersede Supreme Court decisions that had too narrowly interpreted the ADA's definition of a disability...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 49 CFR Parts 37 & 38 - Department of Transportation (DOT) ADA Regulations
§ 37.5(d)
(d) An entity shall not impose special charges, not authorized by this part, on individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs, for providing services required...
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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)
§382.117(d)
is a service animal, you must accept identification cards, other written documentation, presence of harnesses, tags, or the credible verbal assurances of a qualified individual with a disability...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Enforcement Guidance: Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship Under the Americans with Disabilities Act
5. What must an employer do after receiving a request for reasonable accommodation?
The employer and the individual with a disability should engage in an informal process to clarify what the individual needs and identify the appropriate reasonable accommodation.(24) The...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Air Carrier Access Act Technical Assistance Manual (2005)
Service Animals
Regardless of your carrier’s policies with respect to pets, carriers are required by law to permit passengers with a disability to be accompanied by service animals in the cabin....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments
a. Disability Defined
Disability Defined
The ADA defines disability as a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.5 ADA protection extends not only to individuals...
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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)
(2) Public entities shall ensure that inmates or detainees with disabilities are housed in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of the individuals....
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State and Local Documents > Laws > Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 (with amendments issued through 2008)
12112(a) General rule
(a) General rule
No covered entity shall discriminate against a qualified individual on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, the hiring, advancement, or discharge...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
Title II and the IDEA
services because of that disability....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Examples and Resources to Support Criminal Justice Entities in Compliance with Title II of the ADA
B. Analysis
Criminal justice entities have reviewed their policies, practices, procedures, and standing orders to ensure that they do not discriminate against people with mental health disabilities...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Enforcement Guidance: Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship Under the Americans with Disabilities Act
42. May an employer tell other employees that an individual is receiving a reasonable accommodation when employees ask questions about a coworker with a disability?
An employer may not disclose that an employee is receiving a reasonable accommodation because this usually amounts to a disclosure that the individual has a disability....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Air Carrier Access Act Technical Assistance Manual (2005)
Service Animal Permitted to Accompany Passenger on Flight and at Seat Assignment
Service Animal Permitted to Accompany Passenger on Flight and at Seat Assignment
You must permit dogs and other service animals used by passengers with a disability to accompany the passengers...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 49 CFR Parts 37 & 38 - Department of Transportation (DOT) ADA Regulations
§ 38.27(a)
(a) Each vehicle shall contain sign(s) which indicate that seats in the front of the vehicle are priority seats for persons with disabilities, and that other passengers should make such...