Major Life Activities
Basic activities that are important to daily life, used to determine ADA disability status.
Major life activities are basic functions that the average person can perform with little or no difficulty. The ADA uses this concept to define disability: an impairment must substantially limit a major life activity to qualify.
Major life activities include: - Caring for oneself - Performing manual tasks - Seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping - Walking, standing, sitting, reaching, lifting - Speaking, breathing, learning, reading - Concentrating, thinking, communicating - Interacting with others - Working
Major bodily functions also count: - Immune system, cell growth - Digestive, bowel, bladder - Neurological, brain - Respiratory, circulatory - Endocrine, reproductive - Hemic, lymphatic, musculoskeletal
The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 made clear this list is not exhaustive. Courts should interpret "major life activities" broadly and not demand extensive analysis.
"Substantially limits" means more difficult compared to most people, not that the activity is impossible.
Related Terms
ernesty provides general information and tools to help you understand and organize your situation. It is not legal advice, and it is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific circumstances.