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
PACER Center
Founded in 1977, PACER Center was created by parents of children and youth with disabilities to help other parents and families facing similar challenges....
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 34 CFR Part 104 Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Federally Assisted Programs and Activities - Notice of Interpretation
34 CFR Part 104 Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Federally Assisted Programs and Activities - Notice of interpretation
Education) provides notice of its interpretation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Department's implementing regulations, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability...
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Links > Advocacy/Legal Service
The ARC
A Leader in Disability Rights
The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their...
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Links > Nonprofit Organization
World ENABLED
World ENABLED is an educational non-profit organization that promotes the rights and dignities of persons with disabilities....
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Federal Documents > Regulations > 28 CFR Part 36 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities (1991 ADA Title III Regulations)
Appendix B to Part 36 -- Preamble to Regulation on Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities
B
Appendix B to Part 36 -- Preamble to Regulation on Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities (Published July 26, 1991)...
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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
12. Is an agency required to arrange for services to parents and prospective parents with disabilities that are necessary to avoid discrimination but are not available within the agency’s programs?
Is an agency required to arrange for services to parents and prospective parents with disabilities that are necessary to avoid discrimination but are not available within the agency’s programs...
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Links > General
WonderBaby.org
WonderBaby.org is dedicated to helping parents of young children with visual impairments as well as children with multiple disabilities....
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Links > Independent Living
HEATH Resource Center
HEATH Resource Center is a collaborative effort among a network of professionals in the areas of disability, counseling, transition and postsecondary education....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Access to Medical Care for Individuals with Mobility Disabilities
Is it OK to tell a patient who has a disability to bring along someone who can help at the exam?
Q Is it OK to tell a patient who has a disability to bring along someone who can help at the exam?
No....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Title I Technical Assistance Manual
5.5(c) Exception for Federal Contractors Covered by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and Other Federal Programs Requiring Identification of Disability
A pre-employment inquiry about a disability also is permissible if it is required or necessitated by another Federal law or regulation....
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Links > Advocacy/Legal Service
National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN)
NYLN is dedicated to advancing the next generation of disability leaders....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Air Carrier Access Act Technical Assistance Manual (2005)
You shall not exclude a passenger with a disability from any seat in an exit or other row except to comply with FAA safety rules
You shall not exclude a passenger with a disability from any seat in an exit or other row solely on the basis of his or her disability except to comply with FAA safety rules....
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Links > Advocacy/Legal Service
Kids As Self Advocates (KASA)
Kids As Self Advocates (KASA) is a national, grassroots project created by youth with disabilities for youth. We are teens and young adults with disabilities speaking out....
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Links > Publication
Victims with Disabilities: Collaborative, Multidiciplinary Frist Response - Training Guide
Intellectual disabilities, which involve the mental process of knowing, include disabilities such as mental retardation and autism....
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Links > State Department or Agency
State of California Disability Access Services (DAS) - Information Links: Resources, Service Animals & Etiquette
FEHA
Practical Solutions to Reasonable Accommodation
Principles of Accessible Documents
Creating Accessible Forms
Hiring and Supervising an Employee with a Disability...
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Links > Federal Department or Agency
Student Placement in Elementary and Secondary Schools and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Student Placement in Elementary and Secondary Schools and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Commonly Asked Questions About Child Care Centers and the Americans with Disabilities Act
1. Q: Does the Americans with Disabilities Act -- or "ADA" -- apply to child care centers?
Q: Does the Americans with Disabilities Act -- or "ADA" -- apply to child care centers?
A: Yes....
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Links > Independent Living
The Center for Disability Empowerment (CDE) - Franklin and Delaware County, Ohio
If you’re a person with a disability who lives in Franklin or Delaware County Ohio, the Center for Disability Empowerment (CDE) can help you find resources to live, learn, worship, work...
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Federal Documents > Preamble to Regulations > 49 CFR Parts 27 and 37: Transportation for Individuals With Disabilities; Reasonable Modification of Policies and Practices - Preamble
49 CFR Parts 27 and 37: Transportation for Individuals With Disabilities; Reasonable Modification of Policies and Practices - Preamble
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
49 CFR Parts 27 and 37
[Docket OST–2006–23985]
RIN 2105–AE15
Transportation for Individuals With Disabilities; Reasonable Modification of Policies...
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA
Q14. Does a hospital have to allow an in-patient with a disability to keep a service animal in his or her room?
Does a hospital have to allow an in-patient with a disability to keep a service animal in his or her room?
A. Generally, yes....
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Federal Documents > Technical Assistance > Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA
Q23. Can individuals with disabilities be refused access to a facility based solely on the breed of their service animal?
Can individuals with disabilities be refused access to a facility based solely on the breed of their service animal?
A. No. ...
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Links > Program Access
Open Future Learning
We are 100% dedicated to the lives of people with developmental, intellectual, and learning disabilities....
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Links > Federal Department or Agency
DOE "Dear Colleague Letter" Restraint and Seclusion of Students with Disabilities
In particular, this guidance informs school districts how the use of restraint and seclusion may result in discrimination against students with disabilities, thereby violating Section 504...
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Links > Federal Department or Agency
Transition of Students with Disabilities to Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School Educators
Transition of Students with Disabilities to Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School Educators...