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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Links > Advocacy/Legal Service
Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities
The Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities (ACDD) has a mission to support independence, advocacy, productivity, and inclusion for Alabamians with developmental disabilities....
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Additional Access Publications > Guidelines for Writing about People with Disabilities
1. Ask to find out if an individual is willing to disclose their disability.
Do not assume that people with disabilities are willing to disclose their disability....
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Links > General
Disability is Natural - Books and Media
The mission of Disability is Natural is to encourage new ways of thinking about developmental disabilities, in the belief that our attitudes drive our actions, and changes in our attitudes...
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State and Local Documents > Codes and Standards > 2022 California Standards
1.9.1.5 Special conditions for persons with disabilities requiring appeals action ratification
Advisory 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 > 2025 California Standards
1.9.1.5 Special conditions for persons with disabilities requiring appeals action ratification
Advisory 1.9.1.5 Special conditions for persons with disabilities requiring appeals action ratification. ...
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Links > General
UN Division for Social Policy and Development - Disability
Our Mission is to promote the rights and advancement of persons with disabilities in the world....
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Products and Additional Resources > Disability Etiquette > Tips for Interacting with People with Disabilities
People with Disabilities and Activity Limitations Are a Part Of Every Segment Of the Population
All efforts to improve programs and services for people with disabilities should use a broad definition of “disability”that includes people of all ages, from early life to old age, and with...
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Links > Employment
Starkloff Disability Institute (SDI)
The Starkloff Disability Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities – participate fully and equally in all aspects of society.
...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 28 CFR Part 36 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations - Movie Theaters; Movie Captioning and Audio Description Final Rule
2. Movie Patrons With Hearing and Vision Disabilities
Individuals with hearing and vision disabilities represent a significant portion of the American population....
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Links > Advocacy/Legal Service
U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
It takes to a new height the movement from viewing persons with disabilities as “objects” of charity, medical treatment and social protection towards viewing persons with disabilities as...
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Links > General
Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University
The CPD is Utah’s Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at Utah State University....
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Links > General
The Importance of Socialization for Kids with Disabilities
The Importance of Socialization for Kids with Disabilities
Written by Danette Locke
Ever wonder how you learned to make eye contact when speaking with someone?...
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Links > Employment
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability - for Youth (NCWD/Youth)
with disabilities and other disconnected youth....
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Links > Nonprofit Organization
American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD)
and adults with disabilities....
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Additional Access Publications > Providing Health Care for People with Disabilities: Competency Planning Checklists
Accessible Medical Equipment
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Accessible Medical Equipment
Yes
No
Unsure
Comments and follow up
D.
For participants with mobility limitations, we use exam and...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Accessibility of State and Local Government Websites to People with Disabilities
Accessibility of State and Local Government Websites to People with Disabilities
Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Accessibility...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Child Care Centers and the Americans with Disabilities Act
Child Care Centers and the Americans with Disabilities Act
Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section
Child Care Centers and the Americans with Disabilities Act
Privately-run child care centers - like...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Questions and Answers: Enforcement Guidance on Disability-Related Inquiries and Medical Examinations of Employees Under the ADA
Disability-Related Inquiries and Medical Examinations Related to Leave
DISABILITY-RELATED INQUIRIES AND MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS RELATED TO LEAVE...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > DOJ/DOE Joint Publication: Frequently Asked Questions on Effective Communication for Students with Hearing, Vision, or Speech Disabilities in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (Title II)
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (Title II)...
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Additional Access Publications > Employers' Guide to Including Employees with Disabilities in Emergency Evacuation Plans
STEPS FOR INCLUDING EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES IN EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLANNING
STEPS FOR INCLUDING EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES IN EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLANNING...
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Webinars, Videos, and Training > Spirit of the ADA
Boost Your Business - Chapter 11 - Stairs
Boost Your Business - Chapter 11 - Stairs
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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)
§ 36.302(g) Reasonable modifications for individuals “regarded as” having a disability
(g) Reasonable modifications for individuals “regarded as” having a disability....
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Links > General
European Commission: Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities
The EU promotes the active inclusion and full participation of disabled people in society, in line with the EU human rights approach to disability issues....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Accessible Information Exchange: Meeting on a Level Playing Field
Providing Background Information to People with Sensory Disabilities
Providing Background Information to People with Sensory Disabilities: At the beginning of the meeting, ask all participants to introduce themselves....