What are the types of disabilities recognized by the ADA?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination. The ADA recognizes specific types of disabilities in order to ensure full protection under the law. These disabilities are categorized into three different classes—mental disabilities, physical disabilities, and sensory disabilities. Mental disabilities include conditions such as intellectual disabilities, mental illness, developmental disabilities, and learning disabilities. Under the ADA, a mental disability is recognized as a medical condition that impacts one’s ability to think, concentrate, and interact in a variety of situations. Physical disabilities include conditions such as mobility impairments, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, polio, and hearing impairments. The ADA recognizes physical disabilities as conditions that significantly impact a person’s ability to move, run, or do certain physical activities. Lastly, sensory disabilities address conditions such as vision impairments, hearing impairments, and speech impairments. The ADA recognizes sensory disabilities as conditions that affect one’s ability to see, hear, and communicate in a variety of situations. Overall, the ADA recognizes these three types of disabilities in order to ensure that individuals with disabilities are fully protected from discrimination. While the list of disabilities may seem lengthy, it is an important part of recognizing a person’s right to equal opportunities in the workplace and other areas of life.

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