As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (www.practicallaw.com/7-501-9331) (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-13 and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) (www.practicallaw.com/3-503-0547), includes, but is not limited to:
Caring for one's self.
Performing manual tasks.
Seeing.
Hearing.
Eating.
Sleeping.
Walking.
Standing.
Sitting.
Reaching.
Lifting.
Bending.
Breathing.
Learning.
Reading.
Concentrating.
Communicating.
Interacting with others.
Speaking.
Thinking.
Working.
(42 U.S.C. § 12102(2)(A) and 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(i)(1)(i).)
The definition of major life activities under the ADA and ADAAA also encompasses operation of a major bodily function, such as:
Functions of the immune system.
Special sense organs and skin.
Normal cell growth.
Digestive.
Bowel.
Bladder.
Neurological.
Genitourinary.
Cardiovascular.
Hemic.
Lymphatic.
Musculoskeletal.
Brain.
Respiratory.
Circulatory.
Endocrine.
Reproductive functions.
Operation of an individual organ within a body system.
(42 U.S.C. § 12102(2)(B) and 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(i)(1)(ii).)
For a chart comparing the definition of disability before and after the ADAAA regulations, see Checklist, Disability Definition under the ADAAA Final Regulations (www.practicallaw.com/7-505-7931). For more information about providing reasonable accommodation of disabilities in the workplace, see Practice Note, Disability Accommodation under the ADA (www.practicallaw.com/9-503-9007).