Disability (ADA Definition) — ADA & Accessibility Glossary

What Is Disability (ADA Definition)?

The Americans with Disabilities Act defines disability using a three-pronged approach that is intentionally broad. Under the ADA, a person has a disability if they meet any one of three criteria: 1. **Actual disability.** A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as seeing, hearing, walking, breathing, learning, thinking, communicating, or working. 2. **Record of disability.** A history or record of having had such an impairment, even if the person no longer has it. This protects people with a history of conditions like cancer that is in remission. 3. **Regarded as having a disability.** Being treated by others as if they have a disability, whether or not they actually do. This protects people from discrimination based on perceived disabilities. 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 life activities also include the operation of major bodily functions such as the immune system, cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions.

Why It Matters

The broad definition of disability under the ADA has direct implications for web and digital accessibility: **Wide range of users.** Because the ADA covers physical, sensory, cognitive, and mental health conditions, accessible websites must work for people with diverse needs: screen reader users who are blind, keyboard-only users with motor disabilities, users with cognitive disabilities who need clear navigation, users who are deaf and need captions, and many more. **Growing coverage.** As the population ages and chronic conditions become more prevalent, the number of people who meet the ADA's definition of disability grows. The World Health Organization estimates that 1.3 billion people globally experience significant disability, roughly 16% of the world population. **Legal exposure.** Because the definition is so broad, nearly any business with a website may serve customers who have a disability under the ADA. This makes the argument that "our customers don't have disabilities" virtually impossible to sustain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as a disability under the ADA?

The ADA uses a broad, three-part definition. A disability is (1) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, (2) a record or history of such an impairment, or (3) being regarded as having such an impairment. The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 broadened this definition significantly to ensure wider coverage.

Does a person need to be permanently impaired to have a disability under the ADA?

No. The ADA covers temporary impairments that are sufficiently severe. After the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, impairments that are episodic or in remission are also covered if they would substantially limit a major life activity when active.

Are conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, or depression covered?

Yes. The ADA Amendments Act made clear that conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, HIV/AIDS, depression, bipolar disorder, and many others qualify as disabilities. The focus shifted from whether someone has a disability to whether discrimination occurred.

How does the ADA definition of disability affect web accessibility?

The broad definition means that websites and digital services must be accessible to people with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, auditory, motor, cognitive, and neurological disabilities. This is why WCAG guidelines address such a wide spectrum of accessibility needs.