When is an impairment sufficiently severe to substantially limit a major life activity?
An impairment is sufficiently severe to substantially limit a major life activity if it prevents an individual from performing a major life activity or significantly restricts the condition, manner, or duration under which an individual can perform a major life activity, as compared to the average person in the general population.20 An impairment does not significantly restrict major life activities if it results in only mild limitations. 6. Should the corrective effects of medications be considered when deciding if an impairment is so severe that it substantially limits a major life activity? No. The ADA legislative history unequivocally states that the extent to which an impairment limits performance of a major life activity is assessed without regard to mitigating measures, including medications.21 Thus, an individual who is taking medication for a mental impairment has an ADA disability if there is evidence that the mental impairment, when left untreated, substantially limits a maj
