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A disability according to the ADA is: a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities a record of such impairment OR being regarded as having such an impairment An impairment is: a physiological disorder affecting one or more of a number of body systems OR a mental disorder OR a disorder These are examples of major life activities: caring for oneself working performing manual tasks sitting walking standing seeing lifting hearing thinking breathing concentrating learning interacting with others A qualified individual with a disability is an individual with a disability who satisfies the requisite: skill experience education and other requirements AND who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position that the individual holds or desires State of New York Department of Labor Everything You Wanted to Know About THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT But Didn’t Have Time to Ask (Technical Assistance Bulletin) (OVER) Definition of Disability Impairment Major Life Activities Definition of a Qualified Individual with a Disability The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990. It is an antidiscrimination statute that requires that individuals with disabilities be given the same consideration for employment that individuals without disabilities are given. The purpose of Title I of the ADA is to ensure equal employment opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities. The following are basic definition of ADA terms. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Basic Definitions of ADA - Title I Terms) ---PAGE BREAK--- An impairment is substantially limiting if it: prohibits or significantly restricts an individual’s ability to perform a major life activity compared to the ability of the average person in the general popula- tion to perform the same activity limits an individual’s ability to work if it prevents or significantly restricts the individual from performing a class of jobs or a broad range of jobs in various classes Essential Functions are: the fundamental duties of the job (why a job exists) Reasonable Accommodations are: modifications to a job application process modifications to the work environment or the position duties modifications that allow employees with disabilities to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment These are some examples of common types of reasonable accommodations: making facilities readily accessible to and usable by an individual with a disability restructuring a job by reallocating or redistributing marginal job functions modified work schedules flexible leave policies reassignment to a vacant position acquisition or modification of equipment and devices An accommodation would impose an undue hardship if it would: result in excessive cost mean extensive or substantial changes to a facility or program be disruptive to normal business operations fundamentally alter the nature of the program Direct threat means: a significant risk of substantial harm to the health/safety of the individual or others, which cannot be reduced below that level through a reasonable accommodation For further information on the request for a reasonable accommodation, call or write: Andrew Adams NYS Department of Labor Division of Equal Opportunity Development State Campus, Building 12, Room 540 Albany, New York 12240 (518) 457-1984 P241 (7/04) Substantially Limiting Impairments Essential Functions Reasonable Accommodations Examples: Undue Hardship Direct Threat George E. Pataki, Governor Linda Angello, Commissioner Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.