- Expanding the definition of "major life activities";
- Redefining who is "regarded as" having a disability;
- Modifying the regulatory definition of "substantially limits";
- Specifying that "disability" includes any impairment that is episodic or in remission if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active; and
- Prohibiting consideration of the ameliorative effects of "mitigating measures" when assessing whether an impairment substantially limits a person’s major life activities, with one exception.
- Adds a new provision restricting employers’ use of qualification standards, tests, or other selection criteria that are based on uncorrected vision standards;
- Clarifies that an individual who satisfies only the "regarded as" prong of the definition of disability is not entitled to "reasonable accommodation"; and
- Modifies the language of the ADA’s "General Rule" that prohibited discrimination against "a qualified individual with a disability because of the disability of such individual" to say that discrimination is prohibited against "a qualified individual on the basis of disability."
What is the expanded definition of "major life activities" under the ADAAA?
Under the ADAAA, "major life activities" is expanded to include "major bodily functions." The statute contains a nonexhaustive list of "major life activities" that adds additional activities to those currently listed in the ADA and Section 503 regulations, and a nonexhaustive list of "major bodily functions." Specifically, the ADAAA provides that:
- Major life activities include, but are not limited to, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working.
- Major Bodily Functions include, but are not limited to, functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions.
How does the ADAAA define "regarded as" having a disability?
The ADAAA redefines and dramatically expands the scope of coverage under the "regarded as" prong of the definition of "disability." To satisfy the "regarded as" standard an individual need only show that he or she has been subjected to an action prohibited under the statute (e.g., termination; failure to hire) because of an actual or perceived impairment. It is no longer necessary that the impairment be perceived by the employer to limit or "substantially limit" a major life activity. However, to satisfy the "regarded as" standard, an impairment must not be one that is "transitory and minor." The ADAAA defines a "transitory" impairment as an impairment with an "actual or expected duration of 6 months or less."
Meeting the "regarded as" standard does not mean that a person has been the victim of unlawful discrimination. It means only that a person is an individual with a disability entitled to the protections of the ADA or Rehabilitation Act. Whether unlawful discrimination occurred is a separate determination.
Are employers required to accommodate an individual who meets only the "regarded as" prong of the definition of "disability"?
No. Under the ADAAA, an employer need not provide a reasonable accommodation to an individual who meets only the "regarded as" prong of the definition of "disability."
How does the ADAAA modify the regulatory definition of "substantially limits"?
The ADAAA specifically rejects the Supreme Court’s stringent interpretation of "substantially limits," and directs the EEOC to revise its current regulatory definition of "substantially limits" to be consistent with the ADAAA. The ADAAA does not provide a definition of "substantially limits" or specific instructions as to how the regulatory definition is to be revised.
What are "mitigating measures"?
As used in the ADAAA, "mitigating measures" are things that lessen or ameliorate the effects of an impairment, including, but not limited to:
- Medication, medical supplies, equipment, or appliances, low‐vision devices (not including ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses), prosthetics, including limbs and devices, hearing aids and cochlear implants, or other implantable hearing devices, mobility devices, or oxygen therapy equipment and supplies;
- Use of assistive technology;
- Reasonable accommodations or auxiliary aids or services; or
- Learned behavioral or adaptive neurological modifications.
May the ameliorative effects of mitigating measures be taken into account when determining whether an impairment is substantially limiting
No. With one exception, the ADAAA specifically prohibits consideration of the ameliorative effects of mitigating measures when assessing whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity. This means, for example, that the ameliorative effects of the insulin a person uses must NOT be considered when determining whether that person’s diabetes is a disability.
The one exception to this rule is the use of "ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses." The ADAAA expressly requires consideration of the ameliorative effects of "ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses" when assessing whether impairment substantially limits a major life activity. This means that when determining whether a person is substantially limited in the major life activity of seeing, the person’s vision should be assessed in its corrected state when using such eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Are employers still allowed to use qualification standards, tests, or selection criteria based on uncorrected vision?
The ADAAA severely restricts employers’ ability to use qualification standards, employment tests, or other selection criteria that are based on a person’s uncorrected vision. Employers are only allowed to use such qualification standards, tests or selection criteria IF the employer can demonstrate that the requirement is job‐related to the position in question AND consistent with business necessity.
The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
Last updated on January 1st, 2009
