What is the definition of disability under the ADA?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in employment, public services, transportation, and public accommodations. The ADA defines disability as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of an individual.” This includes conditions such as blindness, deafness, and mobility impairments that limit the ability to walk, talk, hear, or perform other physical activities. It also includes mental health conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bipolar disorder. The ADA protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination, as well as from being treated differently due to their disability. In California, the Unruh Civil Rights Act also prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in public accommodations, including schools, businesses, housing, and public transportation. This law is broader than the ADA in that it prohibits discrimination based on a person’s medical condition or perceived medical condition, in addition to actual disabilities. Thus, the definition of disability under the ADA and the Unruh Civil Rights Act encompasses a wide range of conditions.

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What is the definition of disability under the ADA?

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