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 > 36 CFR Part 1193 Telecommunications Act (Section 255) Accessibility Guidelines
Alternate formats and alternate modes (Advisory Guidance)
In considering how to best provide product information to people with disabilities, it is essential that information be provided in an alternate format or mode that is usable by the person...
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Legal Documents > United States of America v. Franciscan St. James Health - Settlement Agreement
INVESTIGATION AND FINDINGS
Complainant is an individual with a “disability” within the meaning of the ADA. 42 U.S.C. § 12102; 28 C.F.R. § 36.104.
7. St....
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Rulemaking Process Documents > NPRMS > 36 CFR Part 1195 Proposed Accessibility Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment NPRM - Preamble
Other relevant federal rules and guidance documents
Health and Human Services issued a guidance document for health care providers regarding their responsibilities to make their services and facilities accessible to individuals with mobility 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)
Identification of available accessible seating. (Section-by-Section Analysis)
In the NPRM, the Department proposed in § 35.138(d) that a public entity, upon being asked, must inform persons with disabilities and their companions of the locations of all unsold or otherwise...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2016 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide - Eff. Jan. 1, 2017
1. Public Rights-of-Way
The Board’s aim in developing these guidelines is to ensure that access for persons with disabilities is provided wherever a pedestrian way is newly built or altered, and that the same degree...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2016 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide - Eff. Jan. 1, 2017
1.9.1.5
1.9.1.5 Special conditions for persons with disabilities requiring appeals action ratification....
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2019 California Standards
EQUIVALENT FACILITATION
Note: In determining equivalent facilitation, consideration shall be given to means that provide for the maximum independence of persons with disabilities while presenting the least risk...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2019 California Standards
1. Public Rights-of-Way
The Board’s aim in developing these guidelines is to ensure that access for persons with disabilities is provided wherever a pedestrian way is newly built or altered, and that the same degree...
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Rulemaking Process Documents > NPRMS > 36 CFR Part 1194 - Proposed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Standards and Guidelines NPRM - Preamble
E102.9 W3C (Section-by-Section Analysis)
WCAG 2.0 offers a series of recommendations to make Web content more accessible to all users, including persons with disabilities....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Title I Technical Assistance Manual
Special Situations
However, it could not discriminate in employment on the basis of disability against members of its religion.
The legislative branch of the U.S....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Revised ADA Requirements: Accessible Pools Means of Entry and Exit
For More Information
For persons with disabilities, this publication is available in alternate formats.
Duplication of this document is encouraged....
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Federal Documents > Preamble to Guidelines > 36 CFR Parts 1190 and 1191 ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines - Preamble (Discussion of Comments and Changes)
Door and Signal Timing
This provision helps ensure that elevator doors remain open long enough for persons with disabilities to travel from call buttons to the responding car and is based on a travel speed of...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2013 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide
WHEELCHAIR
. [§35.104 & §36.104] A manually-operated or power-driven device designed primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability for the main purpose of indoor or of both indoor...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Questions & Answers: Supplement to the 2013 DOJ/DOT Joint Technical Assistance on the Title II of the ADA Requirements To Provide Curb Ramps when Streets, Roads, or Highways are Altered through Resurfacing
Reasonable Modification /Accommodation
under title II and Section 504 to undertake curb ramp construction or alteration as a “reasonable modification/accommodation” in response to a request by, or on behalf of, someone with a disability...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2013 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide
1.9.1.1.5
structures, sidewalks, curbs and related facilities not requiring a building permit, building standards published in the California Building Standards Code relating to access for persons with disabilities...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT AND HIRING POLICE OFFICERS
12. Q: Are alcoholics covered by the ADA?
An alcoholic is a person with a disability and is protected by the ADA if he or she is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Accessible Play Areas - A Summary of Accessibility Guidelines for Play Areas
What Other Accessibility Requirements Apply to Play Components?
The play area guidelines address accessible routes connecting play components along with certain spaces that are crucial to making a play area usable for children with disabilities....
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State and Local Documents > Guidelines > Trace Center Information / Transaction Machines (ITMs) Accessibility Guidelines
Trace Center Information / Transaction Machines (ITMs) Accessibility Guidelines
Trace Research and Development Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
This is a publication of the Trace Research and Development Center which is funded by the National Institute on Disability...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Guidance Questions and Answers Concerning 49 CFR Part 39, ADA Rules Concerning Passenger Vessels
QUESTION: WHAT MEANS MAY BE USED TO COMMUNICATE WITH COMPLAINT RESOLUTION OFFICIALS (CROs)?
*Other equivalent means of communication are permitted, as long as they provide effective communication with the passenger with a disability....
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State and Local Documents > Guidelines > Accessible Golf Courses - A Summary of Accessibility Guidelines for Recreation Facilities
Single Rider Adaptive Golf Cars
Single Rider Adaptive Golf Cars
In recent years, single rider adaptive golf cars have been used to increase access for persons with disabilities on golf courses....
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Legal Documents > United States of America v. The International Spy Museum - Settlement Agreement
Cashier counters
accessible auxiliary counter in Main Lobby and ensure that this auxiliary counter is maintained as such without equipment or obstructions that affect the accessibility or use by persons with disabilities...
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State and Local Documents > Guidelines > Accessible Amusement Rides - A Summary of Accessibility Guidelines for Recreation Facilities
Accessible Rides
Where possible, operators are encouraged to exceed the number of accessible ride seats so that more people with disabilities and their families can enjoy the rides at the same time....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Outdoor Developed Areas: A Summary of Accessibility Standards for Federal Outdoor Developed Areas
Roll-in Access [1014.2.2]
Handrails and edge protection are not required on a sloped entry into a camp shelter but may be useful to people with and without disabilities....
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards
206.8 Security Barriers
The accessible route shall permit persons with disabilities passing around security barriers to maintain visual contact with their personal items to the same extent provided others passing...