Major Life Activities | Practical Law

Major Life Activities | Practical Law

Major Life Activities

Major Life Activities

Practical Law Glossary Item 5-502-0444 (Approx. 4 pages)

Glossary

Major Life Activities

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 to 12213 and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA), include, but are not limited to:
  • Caring for oneself.
  • Performing manual tasks.
  • Seeing.
  • Hearing.
  • Eating.
  • Sleeping.
  • Walking.
  • Standing.
  • Sitting.
  • Reaching.
  • Lifting.
  • Bending.
  • Breathing.
  • Learning.
  • Reading.
  • Concentrating.
  • Communicating.
  • Interacting with others.
  • Speaking.
  • Thinking.
  • Working.
(42 U.S.C. § 12102(2)(A) and 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(i)(1)(i).)
The definition of major life activities under the ADA and ADAAA also encompasses operation of a major bodily function, such as:
  • Functions of the immune system.
  • Special sense organs and skin.
  • Normal cell growth.
  • Digestive.
  • Bowel.
  • Bladder.
  • Neurological.
  • Genitourinary.
  • Cardiovascular.
  • Hemic.
  • Lymphatic.
  • Musculoskeletal.
  • Brain.
  • Respiratory.
  • Circulatory.
  • Endocrine.
  • Reproductive functions.
  • Operation of an individual organ within a body system.
(42 U.S.C. § 12102(2)(B) and 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(i)(1)(ii).)
For a chart comparing the definition of disability before and after the ADAAA regulations, see Disability Definition Under the ADA and ADAAA Comparison Chart. For more information about disability discrimination and providing reasonable accommodation of disabilities in the workplace, see Practice Notes, Disability Discrimination Under the ADA and Disability Accommodation Under the ADA.