ADA Title II Action Guide for State and Local Governments

What is the definition of disability?

The ADA protects the rights of people who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as breathing, walking, hearing and thinking, Major bodily functions, such as normal cell growth and endocrine function are also considered major life activities. Therefore cancer and diabetes will, in virtually all cases, be considered disabilities. The ADA also applies to people who have a record of having a substantially limiting impairment, such as a person with cancer that is in remission, or are regarded as having an impairment, such as a person who has facial scars.