Defining disability under the ADA

On Behalf of | Dec 14, 2018 | Disability Discrimination |

A disability can be something that a Minnesota person is born with or it may be acquired after an illness or injury. Disabilities can be physical and can manifest by problems with individuals’ movement, balance, or coordination. They may also be mental and can impact how individuals think, feel, and perceive their surroundings.

While disabilities can affect how individuals interact with the world, they do not have to prevent individuals from living their best lives. Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act are in place to prevent others from barring disabled workers from finding jobs and contributing to the successes of their employers. Under the ADA, the term disability has a broad definition.

For purposes of the ADA, disabilities can be mental or physical and must substantially limit one or more major life activities. Major life activities include, but are not limited to, seeing and hearing, sleeping and thinking, and engaging in many different forms of moving. Individuals unsure of whether their conditions qualify as disabilities should discuss their questions with employment law attorneys.

A person with a record of a disability may qualify for protections under the ADA, and so too may a person who is perceived to suffer from a disability. Because the law surrounding this important topic is open to much interpretation, it is imperative that readers seek help when pursuing their disability discrimination cases. A knowledgeable attorney can guide an affected worker through the necessary steps toward protecting their rights and getting the support they need to prevail on their legal claims.