Does My Disability Fall under the ADA?

The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, refers to when disability is defined from a legal perspective rather than a medical one.

If you are unsure whether your disability falls under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it’s important to know what’s considered a disability. ADA defines someone with a disability as a person who exhibits:

Mental or physical impairment which significantly restricts bodily functions or significant life activities.
No medical disorder but is deemed to be having one.
A record of impairment, even if the person does not currently have any disability.

What is Considered a Disability under the ADA?

To be considered disabled under the ADA, you must have either a physical or mental impairment. However, not every condition that limits you from performing activities is viewed as an impairment. It’s worth noting that the ADA uses an expansive definition. The various types of impairments considered under the ADA are:

Physical impairments – Any medical condition or disorder that affects the body, which includes:

Complications from Pregnancy
Special sense organs
HIV & AIDS and its symptoms
Respiratory
Muscular dystrophy
Thyroid gland disorders
Endocrine
Paralysis
Loss of body parts

Mental impairments – Any cognitive disorder, such as:

Mental illness
Intellectual disability
Certain learning disorders
Organic brain syndrome

When establishing whether an impairment qualifies as an ADA disability, mitigation measures are not considered by law. Therefore, mitigating steps such as therapy or medication used to manage symptoms are not considered in the ADA disability qualification process.

What Is Not Covered under the ADA?

Impairments that are not covered under the ADA include:

All types of cancer
Compulsive gambling
Sprained joints
Old age
Lack of education
Common cold or the flu
Broken bones, which can heal completely

In some cases, depression and stress are regarded as impairments if they are directly correlated with a mental or psychological disorder. But if you suffer from depression, stress, or anxiety due to everyday life pressures, you may not be protected by the ADA.

The same applies to drug abuse—if an individual has a history of illicit substance abuse that could have led to the current condition or use of drugs to contain a disability, they may not qualify as disabled under the ADA.

ADA Protection At Work

Generally, you don’t apply for ADA protection. Instead, know your rights as a person with a disability going into the workplace and what to do if your employer does not offer the following things to accommodate your disability:

Modifying equipment or devices
Provide readers and interpreters
Provide an accessible and usable workspace for disabled individuals
Offer job restructuring
Offer part-time or modified work schedules
Modify or adjust exams, policies, or training material.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lists employers who are covered under the ADA:

Private employers
Labor organizations
Employment agencies
Local and state governments

Contact a New York ADA Attorney for Help

If your disability is eligible and your rights under the ADA have been infringed upon, you could have a credible claim. The New York ADA attorneys at Mizrahi Kroub LLP specialize in disability cases in New York and can help you navigate your legal recourse.

Contact us online or call us at (212) 595-6200 to discuss your case confidentially with our team of attorneys.