Types of Disabilities Under ADA

Wheelchair bound people are protected by the ADA.

President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA prohibits discrimination against disabled persons in the areas of employment, public services offered by public or private entities, telecommunications and transportation. The ADA employs a three-tiered definition of disability that includes having a physical or mental impairment, a history of such an impairment and the perception of having an impairment. Several types of disabilities fall under the ADA's protection.

Physical

Under the ADA, a disability is an impairment that limits a person's ability to walk, see, hear, care for themselves, learn, speak or breathe. Those with physical disabilities often use special equipment such as wheelchairs, canes, crutches, walkers and prosthetic limbs to get from place to place. Under the ADA, accommodative services must be provided for people with these disabilities. Accommodations include parking stalls, ramps instead of stairs, lowered pay phones and automatically opening doors. Physical disabilities are usually easy to notice and assess, but not all disabilities are.

Cognitive

Learning is a common type of cognitive disability. Unlike physical disabilities, learning disabilities are not easily seen or recognized by just looking at a person. Those with learning disabilities usually possess an above-average intelligence, but have difficulty remembering and communicating information. There are many types of learning disabilities that often affect a person's educational endeavors, but can also have an impact on their job performance. Under the ADA, several teaching methods are employed in public and private schools to help instruct students with learning disabilities, including oral and written announcements, color-coded lesson aids, role-play learning and making frequent eye contact.

Psychological and Psychiatric

Psychological, or psychiatric, disabilities cannot be detected by simply looking at a person. Those with these disabilities often suffer from a psychological or psychiatric disorder or an emotional or mental illness. Depression, autism and bi-polar disorder are a few examples of this disability. Symptoms displayed include poor concentration and difficulty handling stress. Services offered under the ADA for those with psychological disabilities are usually offered through offices or departments that specialize in disabled services, such as colleges or other educational institutions.

Sensory

Impairments that affect a person's ability to see or hear are considered sensory disabilities. Sensory disabilities that affect hearing include varying degrees of hearing loss, hard of hearing and deafness. Complete or partial blindness also qualify as a disability under the ADA. Accommodative services offered to people with these disabilities include interpreters, large-print forms and publications and Braille or raised signage. For students, prospective employees or others who require assessment, alternative testing must be provided.

Others

A variety of other disabilities come under ADA protection, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, chemical dependency, speech impairment and cardiac conditions. Accommodative services for these disabilities are usually the same as those offered to people with physical, psychological, sensory and cognitive disabilities.

References

• Cuesta College: Disabled Student Programs and Services: Disabilities
• Martin County, Florida: About the ADA
• Cuesta College: Disabled Student Programs and Services: Learning Disabilities
• Cuesta College: Disabled Student Programs and Services: Psychological Disability
• Cuesta College: Disabled Student Programs and Services: Communication Disability
• Cuesta College: Disable Student Programs: Other Disabilities