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 > Preamble to Guidelines > 36 CFR Parts 1190 and 1191 ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines - Preamble (Discussion of Comments and Changes)
Speech Output
Comments from disability groups strongly supported the approach taken in the proposed rule....
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Rulemaking Process Documents > NPRMS > 36 CFR Part 1194 - Proposed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Standards and Guidelines NPRM - Preamble
G. Availability of Materials Incorporated by Reference
This standard provides design specifications for human-system software interfaces to increase accessibility for persons with disabilities....
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Interpretations and Opinions > ETA Interpretations and Opinions > What Makes Removal of a Barrier "Readily Achievable"?
COMMENTS
Groups representing persons with disabilities objected to the proposed rule because, in their view, it permitted the large theater or hospital to evade ADA responsibilities by leasing to...
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Products and Additional Resources > Products
Sloan WETS 2050.1401-1.28 G2 OPTIMA Plus Systems Activated HET Flushometer and HET Wall Hung Water Closet
Meets the American Disabilities Guidelines and ANSI A117.1 requirements when installed according to these requirements....
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Products and Additional Resources > Products
Sloan WETS 2050.1201-1.28 Solar-Powered HET Flushometer and HET Wall Hung Water Closet
Meets the American Disabilities Guidelines and ANSI A117.1 requirements when installed according to these requirements....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
Section 35.151(e) Social service center establishments
One commenter stated that it did not agree that the standards for residential coverage would serve persons with disabilities as well as the 1991 transient lodging standards....
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Federal Documents > Preamble to Regulations > 28 CFR Part 35, Appendix B: 1991 ADA Title II Regulations Preamble and Section-by-Section Analysis
§35.190 Designated Agencies
and local government operations further complicates the process of establishing Federal agency jurisdiction for the purpose of investigating complaints of discrimination on the basis of disability...
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Additional Access Publications > Proceedings of: Workshop on Improving Building Design for Persons with Low Vision
Issue 3: Is there a need for a different kind of Practice?
If we’re looking to write guidelines or standards under the Americans With Disabilities Act, for example, bear in mind that the Americans With Disabilities Act does not establish guidelines...
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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)
Section 35.151(e) Social service center establishments (Section-by-Section Analysis)
One commenter stated that it did not agree that the standards for residential coverage would serve persons with disabilities as well as the 1991 transient lodging standards....
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Federal Documents > Preamble to Standards > 36 CFR Part 1194 Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards (Section 508 Standards) - Preamble
Undue burden (Preamble, Section-by-Section Analysis)
At least two Federal agencies and 10 organizations representing persons with disabilities opposed the inclusion of factors (2) and (3) suggested in the NPRM....
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Federal Documents > Standards > 2010 ADA Standards
ASME: ADA Standard Section 105.2.2
Section 105.2.2 of the ADA Standards cover references to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards.
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2025 California Standards
11B-206.2.1 Site arrival points
All programs and activities receiving Federal funds must be readily accessible and usable by persons with disabilities. For more information refer to HUD Deeming Notice Docket No....
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Webinars, Videos, and Training > Product Demonstration or Information
AccessRec LLC WaterWheels, the Floating Pool Wheelchair - Assembly
The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) brought further awareness of the need to provide recreational opportunities to individuals of all abilities....
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Webinars, Videos, and Training > Product Demonstration or Information
Aquatic Access ADA-Compliant LIfts
The first company to develop pool lifts for disabled access to pools, Aquatic Access has been building lifts in the USA for over 25 years....
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Webinars, Videos, and Training > Design Solution
Accessible Pittsburgh: Hospital Compliance Guidelines
Katherine Seelman, Professor of Rehabilitation Science and Technology and Associate Dean of Disability Programs at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh...
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Webinars, Videos, and Training > Spirit of the ADA
Same but different - Theo's Story
Requires the Registered User plan or above.
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Appendix to 29 CFR Part 1630—Interpretive Guidance on Title I of the Americans With Disabilities Act
Section 1630.2(h) Physical or Mental Impairment
However, a pregnancy-related impairment that substantially limits a major life activity is a disability under the first prong of the definition....
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2013 California Standards for Accessible Design Pocket Guide
11B-242.2 Swimming pools
Providing different means of access will better serve the varying needs of people with disabilities in getting into and out of a swimming pool....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Guidance on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
Shower Compartments
to existing facilities, where recessing the compartment to achieve a ½-inch curb will disturb the structural reinforcement of the floor slab, will impair the ability of individuals with disabilities...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Questions and Answers about Deafness and Hearing Impairments in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act
12. Does an employer have to grant every request for a reasonable accommodation?
Example 18: An employee with a bilateral hearing disability requests use of communication access real-time translation (CART) for an upcoming training....
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2010 California Standards for Accessible Design (excerpts relating to Safe Harbors only)
1133B.2.3.2
The provisions of Section 1133B.2.3 shall not apply to existing buildings, except when otherwise required under conditions applicable to access for persons with disabilities....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Expanding Your Market: Maintaining Accessible Features in Retail Establishments
Accessible Route Into and Through the Business
Customers with disabilities will not be able to shop in a store if the route through an entry plaza is too narrow because of a display of snow blowers, if the maneuvering clearance alongside...
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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
2.4.3 Impetus for Manufacturers to Improve MDE Accessibility
., by asking persons with disabilities to test different design options)....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Technical Bulletin: Ground and Floor Surfaces
What surface characteristics are required of an accessible route?
The Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) requires only that newly-constructed or altered ground and floor surfaces of accessible routes on sites and in buildings...