Who does the ADA protect?
The ADA covers a wide range of individuals with disabilities. An individual is considered to have a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. Major life activities include such things as caring for ones self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working. To be substantially limited means that such activities are restricted in the manner, condition, or duration in which they are performed in comparison with most people. The ADA also protects people who are discriminated against because of their association with a person with a disability.
