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Definition of Disability

Disability Etiquette and Interviewing Tips
Job Accommodations
Definition of disability

Disability: A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

The term “disability”, while seemingly straight forward, can evoke strong images.

But disabilities go well beyond the obvious. Many physical and mental disabilities are completely hidden from view, yet challenge those individuals on a daily basis who are determined to overcome their debilitating effects.

Some disabilities may seem minor to many.  Yet consider the dishwasher who suffers from painful dermatitis caused by his allergy to latex gloves… or the office-worker who experiences vertigo, brought on by certain strong fragrances.

Nailing down a comprehensive definition for disability is difficult.  In general, government and social-service agencies tend to accept broad definitions.  Yet when compelled to zero in on a complete definition, the result can be as sprawling as this document authored by The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission:  Section 902 Definition of the Term DisabilityClick at your own risk…

In the United States today, disability is most often used to describe any impairment that restricts access to employment, education and/or natural and physical structures (parks, buildings, restaurants, etc…)

The Job Accommodations Network (JAN) has done an excellent job of defining over 90 specific illnesses, injuries or conditions that constitute a disability.  They also provide practical tips on providing accommodations for folks with each specific disability.

Below is a compilation of the JAN list with links to specific disabilities and accommodations.  Included as well is whether a disability affects a person physically, mentally or perhaps both.

Disability or Condition

A

Physical

Mental

 

K

Physical

Mental

Addison's Disease

P

 

 

Kidney Disease 

P

 

Aging Employees 

Possible

Possible

 

 

 

 

AIDS/HIV 

P

 

 

L

 

 

Alcoholism 

 

M

 

Latex Allergies 

P

 

Allergies 

P

 

 

Learning Disabilities 

 

M

Amputation 

P

 

 

Leg Impairment 

P

 

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)/Lou Gehrig's Disease 

P

Possible

 

Little Person 

P

 

 

Liver Diseases 

P

 

Anxiety Disorders 

 

M

 

Lupus 

P

Possible

Arthritis 

P

 

 

Lyme Disease 

P

Possible

Asperger Syndrome 

P

M

 

 

 

 

Ataxia 

P

 

 

M

 

 

Attention Deficit Disorder

 

M

 

Marfan Syndrome 

P

 

 

 

 

 

Mental Health Impairments 

 

M

B

 

 

 

Migraine Headaches 

P

 

Back Impairments 

P

 

 

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity or Environmental Illness 

P

 

Bipolar Disorder 

 

M

 

Bladder Impairments

P

 

 

Multiple Sclerosis 

P

Possible

Bleeding Disorders 

P

 

 

Muscular Dystrophy 

P

 

Body Odor 

P

 

 

Myasthenia Gravis

P

 

Brain Injuries 

Possible

Possible

 

 

 

 

Burn Injuries 

P

 

 

O

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Hand Use 

P

 

C

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancer 

Possible

Possible

 

P

 

 

Cerebral Palsy 

P

 

 

Paraplegia 

P

 

Charcot-Marie-Tooth 

P

 

 

Parkinson's Disease 

P

Possible

Chemical Sensitivity or Environmental Illness 

P

 

 

Post-Polio Syndrome 

P

 

 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 

 

M

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 

P

 

 

Psychiatric Impairments (See Mental Health Impairments) 

 

M

Chronic Pain 

P

 

 

Cognitive Impairment 

 

M

 

 

 

 

Color Vision Deficiency
(Color Blind) 

P

 

 

Q

 

 

 

Quadriplegia 

P

 

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 

P

Possible

 

 

 

 

Cumulative Trauma Disorders 

P

 

 

R

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) 

P

Possible

D

 

 

 

Depression 

 

M

 

Renal Disease 

P

 

Developmental Disabilities 

 

M

 

Respiratory Disorders 

P

 

Diabetes 

P

 

 

 

 

 

Drug Addiction 

 

M

 

S

 

 

Dystonia

P

 

 

Sarcoidosis 

P

 

 

 

 

 

Seasonal Affective Disorder 

 

M

E

 

 

 

Shingles 

P

 

Epilepsy 

P

Possible

 

Sickle Cell Anemia 

P

 

Essential Tremor 

P

 

 

Sleep Disorders 

Possible

M

 

 

 

 

Speech-Language Impairments 

P

 

F

 

 

 

Spina Bifida 

P

 

Fibromyalgia 

P

 

 

Spinal Cord Injury 

P

 

Fragrance Sensitivity 

P

 

 

Stomach Ulcers and Reflux Disease 

P

 

 

 

 

 

G

 

 

 

Stroke

P

Possible

Gastrointestinal Disorders

P

 

 

Stuttering

P

 

Graves' Disease 

P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T

 

 

H

 

 

 

Thyroid Disorders 

P

 

Hearing Loss 

P

 

 

 

 

 

Heart Conditions 

P

 

 

V

 

 

Hepatitis 

P

 

 

Vertigo 

P

 

Herpes Zoster (Shingles) 

P

 

 

Vision Impairments 

P

 

HIV/AIDS 

P

Possible

 

 

 

 

Huntington's Disease 

P

M

 

W

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wheelchair Use

P

 

I

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intellectual or Cognitive Impairment 

 

M

 

 

 

 

 


This information was developed in partnership with the EmployABILITY program of the City of Los Angeles Community Development Department, created in collaboration with the Los Angeles City Workforce Investment Board, to create career empowerment for persons with disabilities.

Employability Partnership       Workforce Investment Board       Work Source California Building Business and Careers