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Simple English definitions for legal terms
major life activity
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A quick definition of major life activity:
A major life activity is something that a person does every day that is important for living. This can include things like taking care of oneself, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working. The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 added more things to this list, like bodily functions such as the immune system, digestion, and reproduction. If a person's impairment makes it hard for them to do one of these things, they may have a disability.
A more thorough explanation:
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) define a "major life activity" as an activity that is essential to daily life. This includes activities such as:
- Caring for oneself
- Performing manual tasks
- Seeing
- Hearing
- Eating
- Sleeping
- Walking
- Standing
- Lifting
- Bending
- Speaking
- Breathing
- Learning
- Reading
- Concentrating
- Thinking
- Communicating
- Working
The ADAAA also expanded the definition to include "major bodily functions," such as:
- Functions of the immune system
- Normal cell growth
- Digestive functions
- Bowel functions
- Bladder functions
- Neurological functions
- Brain functions
- Respiratory functions
- Circulatory functions
- Endocrine functions
- Reproductive functions
To be considered a disability, an impairment must substantially limit a major life activity. This means that the impairment must make it difficult for an individual to perform the activity compared to most people. Even if the condition is episodic or in remission, it can still qualify as a disability if it substantially impairs a major life activity.
Examples of major life activities include:
- Walking: A person with a mobility impairment that makes it difficult to walk long distances or climb stairs may be considered to have a disability.
- Seeing: A person with a visual impairment that makes it difficult to read or see objects clearly may be considered to have a disability.
- Learning: A person with a learning disability that makes it difficult to understand or process information may be considered to have a disability.
- Working: A person with a medical condition that makes it difficult to perform certain job tasks may be considered to have a disability.
These examples illustrate how impairments can substantially limit major life activities and qualify as disabilities under the ADA.