Disability

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), "disability" is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. "Major life activities" are those that an average person can perform with little or no difficulty, such as walking, breathing, seeing, hearing, speaking, learning, and working. The impact of the impairment must be permanent or long-term. Those who claim a disability under the ADA must offer evidence that the limitation caused by their impairment is substantial. Whether an individual qualifies as disabled under the ADA is not determined by the name or diagnosis of the impairment the person has, but rather on the effect the impairment has on the life of the individual. This determination must be made on a case-by-case basis. While the severity of the disability in question must be very high to be covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, there are many state laws that offer broader protection. For example, the state law in New Jersey and the city law in New York City both define disability more broadly than the ADA. So, even if you are not protected by the ADA, you might be protected by your State or City law.

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