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Home > What is the definition of disability under the ADA?

What is the definition of disability under the ADA? [1]

It is important to remember that in the context of the ADA, “disability” is a legal term rather than a medical one. Because it has a legal definition, the ADA’s definition of disability is different from how disability is defined under some other laws, such as for Social Security Disability related benefits.

The ADA defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability. It also includes individuals who do not have a disability but are regarded as having a disability. The ADA also makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person based on that person’s association with a person with a disability.


For additional information, take a look at the following resources:

FAQ: What does “regarded as” having a disability mean?  [2]

FAQ: What does a “record of” having a disability mean?  [3]

What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)? [4]


Source URL: https://adata.org/faq/what-definition-disability-under-ada

Links:
[1] https://adata.org/faq/what-definition-disability-under-ada
[2] https://adata.org/faq/what-does-regarded-having-disability-mean
[3] https://adata.org/faq/what-does-record-disability-mean
[4] https://adata.org/learn-about-ada