A term used to define disability (www.practicallaw.com/5-501-9332) under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (www.practicallaw.com/7-501-9331) (ADA), as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (www.practicallaw.com/3-503-0547) (ADAAA). One way an individual is recognized as having a disability under the ADA is if he has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (www.practicallaw.com/5-502-0444).
The ADAAA and its implementing regulations changed the ADA's definition of substantially limits, but did not set out a precise new definition. Instead, the regulations provide nine rules of construction to help employers assess whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity. For more information on these rules of construction, see Practice Note, Disability Accommodation under the ADA: Definition of Substantially Limits (www.practicallaw.com/9-503-9007) and Disability Definition under the ADAAA Final Regulations Checklist (www.practicallaw.com/7-505-7931).