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 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)
382.87 What other requirements pertain to seating for passengers with a disability?
382.87 What other requirements pertain to seating for passengers with a disability? These provisions are essentially the same as their counterparts in the existing regulation....
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Links > Nonprofit Organization
Joni and Friends International Disability Center
Through ministry programs like Family Retreats and Wheels for the World, we serve the global disability community in Christ’s name....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > USDA Forest Service Missoula Technology and Development Center Facilities Toolbox: Accessibility Tools
Does the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) apply to the Forest Service?
Except for the section that applies to Federal wilderness areas, the programs and facilities of Federal agencies are NOT governed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990....
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Webinars, Videos, and Training > Spirit of the ADA
Boost Your Business - Chapter 4 - Ramps
Boost Your Business - Chapter 4 - Ramps
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Links > Federal Department or Agency
National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD)
WHO WE ARE
The National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD) is a federally-funded project under the U.S....
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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
What do the disability nondiscrimination laws require of child welfare agencies and courts?
What do the disability nondiscrimination laws require of child welfare agencies and courts?...
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 29 CFR Part 1630, Regulations to Implement the Equal Employment Provisions of the ADA (Title I Regulations with amendments issued through May 2016)
Appendix to Part 1630—Interpretive Guidance on Title I of the Americans With Disabilities Act
Appendix to Part 1630—Interpretive Guidance on Title I of the Americans With Disabilities Act...
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Links > Independent Living
Disability Services & Legal Center - Santa Rosa, Napa, Ukiah, CA
Our Mission
Advancing the rights of people with disabilities to equal justice, access, opportunity and participation in our communities....
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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
Q1: What disability-related Federal laws does OCR enforce?
A: OCR enforces Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), a Federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Commonly Asked Questions About the Americans with Disabilities Act and Law Enforcement
19. Q: Does the ADA require all police stations to be accessible to people with disabilities?
The ADA requires programs to be accessible to individuals with disabilities, not necessarily each and every facility....
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Links > Independent Living
Photoability
PhotoAbility is dedicated to increasing the usage of imagery of people with disabilities in the tourism, leisure and lifestyle mediums by providing high quality stock photos. ...
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Webinars, Videos, and Training > Product Demonstration or Information
SafePath: Sport Floor Reducers for ADA and Disability Access
Disability access for Gym Floors....
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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)
Guidance Concerning Service Animals
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Links > Independent Living
Disability Rights and Resources (DRR Advocates) - Birmingham, Jasper, Oneonta, and Alabaster, AL
Disability Rights and Resources’ mission is to empower people with disabilities to fully participate in the community....
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Links > General
Center on Technology and Disability (CTD)
The Center on Technology and Disability (CTD) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)....
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Links > Federal Department or Agency
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics "Statistics About People With Disabilities and Employment"
This page contains information about national labor force statistics with demographic characteristics available from the Current Population Survey (CPS). Data on the labor force...
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Links > Independent Living
Disability Resource Agency for Independent Living (DRAIL) - Modesto, Stockton, Sonora, CA
DRAIL works to ensure that this is a reality for the members of our community living with a disability....
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Links > Independent Living
Disability Action Center NW (DAC) - Moscow, Post Falls, Lewiston, ID
Our board strives to create a compassionate and accessible place for people with disabilities....
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Links > Independent Living
The Center for Independent Living Disability Resource Center (CIL - DRC) - Pensacola, FL
The Center for Independent Living Disability Resource Center is a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential private non-profit agency that is designed and operated...
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Additional Access Publications > Guidelines for Writing about People with Disabilities
11. Do not use language that perpetuates negative stereotypes about psychiatric disabilities.
Much work needs to be done to break down stigma around psychiatric disabilities....
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Additional Access Publications > Guidelines for Writing about People with Disabilities
6. Use language that emphasizes the need for accessibility rather than the presence of a disability.
Use
Don’t Use
Accessible parking
Handicapped parking
Accessible restroom
Disabled...
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Links > Design/Construction/Barrier Removal
Institute for Design and Disability (IDD) (Ireland)
IDD was established in 1991 following the European Conference on Design for Disability held in Dublin in 1989. ...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Withdrawn Technical Assistance: The ADA: Questions and Answers
Q. Does an employer have to give preference to a qualified applicant with a disability over other applicants?
Does an employer have to give preference to a qualified applicant with a disability over other applicants?
A. No....
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Links > Employment
GettingHired: Empowering Individuals & Veterans with Disabilities
Bridging the Gap Between Job Seekers with Disabilities & Employers Looking to Hire
Find a Job: Find a Perfect Job to Match Your Skills, Your Interests & Your Career Goals...