Information on Individual Disabilities

The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) has a three-part definition of "disability." This definition, based on the definition under the Rehabilitation Act, reflects the specific types of discrimination experienced by people with disabilities. Accordingly, it is not the same as the definition of disability in other laws, such as state workers' compensation laws or other federal or state laws that provide benefits for people with disabilities and disabled veterans.

Under the ADA, an individual with a disability is a person who:

1. has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; 
2. has a record of such an impairment; or 
3. is regarded as having such an impairment.

An “individual with a disability” is someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. A person is considered to be a person with a disability, or is regarded as having a disability.

The Americans with Disabilities Act covers all persons with disabilities in the United States, whether or not they are citizens and without regard to racial or ethnic origin.

Blindness and visual impairments

Cognitive disabilities

Communication disabilities

Chronic health disabilities

Deafness and hard of hearing Impairment 

Learning disabilities

Physical-mobility/dexterity disabilities

Psychological disabilities