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.
-
State and Local Documents > Laws > Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 (with amendments issued through 2008)
12207(a) Study
(a) Study
The National Council on Disability shall conduct a study and report on the effect that wilderness designations and wilderness land management practices have on the ability of...
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > The ADA: Your Employment Rights as an Individual With a Disability
Are You Protected by The ADA?
If you have a disability and are qualified to do a job, the ADA protects you from job discrimination on the basis of your disability....
-
Federal Documents > Preamble to Regulations > 14 CFR Part 382 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel (Air Carrier Access Act): Preamble and Section-by-Section Analysis (with amendments issued through July 2010)
382.111 What services must carriers provide to passengers with a disability on board the aircraft?
382.111 What services must carriers provide to passengers with a disability on board the aircraft?
ETA Editor's Note
This section has no content in the original document....
-
Federal Documents > Standards > 1991 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
A4.16.3 Height
Height preferences for toilet seats vary considerably among disabled people....
-
Federal Documents > Standards > Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS)
A4.16.3 HEIGHT
Preferences for toilet seat heights vary considerably among disabled people....
-
Webinars, Videos, and Training > Spirit of the ADA
Signing Ceremony for Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26, 1990)
Requires the Registered User plan or above.
Login!
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Examples and Resources to Support Criminal Justice Entities in Compliance with Title II of the ADA
C. Collaboration with Other Entities
States, counties, and cities, which often administer both criminal justice and disability service systems, have obligations under the ADA to ensure people with mental health disabilities...
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Air Carrier Access Act Technical Assistance Manual (2005)
Ask Questions and Provide Instructions
Although in most instances you are not obligated to self identify as a passenger with a disability, keep in mind that conveying certain information or providing some guidance will permit...
-
State and Local Documents > Guidelines > Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails
Why Accessibility Is Important
Seventy-five percent have disabilities that are not obvious at first glance. People with disabilities constitute the largest minority in the country....
-
Federal Documents > Preamble to Standards > 36 CFR Part 1195 Standards for Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment - Preamble
List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 1195
Health care, Individuals with disabilities, Medical devices....
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Title I Technical Assistance Manual
2.1(a)(iii) Substantially Limits
(iii) Substantially Limits
An impairment is only a "disability" under the ADA if it substantially limits one or more major life activities....
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Depression, PTSD, & Other Mental Health Conditions in the Workplace: Your Legal Rights
2. Am I allowed to keep my condition private?
When it is engaging in affirmative action for people with disabilities (such as an employer tracking the disability status of its applicant pool in order to assess its recruitment and hiring...
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Questions and Answers on the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 for Students with Disabilities Attending Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
Q9: How can a school district meet its obligation, as described in the Section 504 regulation, to evaluate students to determine the need for special education or related services consistent with the Amendments Act?
the need of a student with a disability for special education or related services....
-
Webinars, Videos, and Training > Spirit of the ADA
Improving Customer Service for People with Disabilities Video
This film was produced by the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation...
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Enforcement Guidance: Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship Under the Americans with Disabilities Act
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION RELATED TO THE BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES OF EMPLOYMENT
The ADA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations so that employees with disabilities can enjoy the "benefits and privileges of employment" equal to those enjoyed by similarly-situated...
-
Webinars, Videos, and Training > Spirit of the ADA
Communicating with people with disabilities: Ask Me First Video
In this video, you will learn how to respect the boundaries of people with disabilities while communicating with them....
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Employer-Provided Leave and the Americans with Disabilities Act
100% Healed Policies
Direct threat is the ADA standard for determining whether an employee's disability poses a "significant risk of substantial harm" to self or to others....
-
Federal Documents > Regulations > 49 CFR Parts 37 & 38 - Department of Transportation (DOT) ADA Regulations
§ 38.115(b)
(b) Where provided, handrails and stanchions shall be sufficient to permit safe boarding, on-board circulation, seating and standing assistance, and alighting by persons with disabilities...
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
Scenario 10 – Procedural Safeguards
Lee told staff at her son’s school that she believes her son has a disability because he cannot seem to sit still and concentrate on his assignments. Although Ms....
-
Federal Documents > Regulations > 49 CFR Part 27 - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance (with amendments issued through Aug. 2015)
§27.11(b) Voluntary action.
A recipient may take steps, in addition to any action that is required by this part, to assure the full participation in the recipient's program or activity by qualified persons with a disability...
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
Scenario 1 – Suspected Disability & Evaluation
It is only through an evaluation process that a school district can properly determine if a student has a disability and needs Section 504 services....
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Parent and Educator Resource Guide to Section 504 in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
Parent Asks for an Evaluation of the Student
and needs special education or related services because of that disability....
-
Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment
A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment
Americans with Disabilities Act
A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment
Social Security Administration
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
U.S....
-
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)
§382.57(a)(4)
(4) You must ensure that a passenger with a disability who requests an accessible automated kiosk is given priority access to any available accessible kiosk you own, lease, or control in...