Which statement is true about disability definitions?

Which statement is true about disability definitions?

• A. An impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities defines disability.
• B. Only mental impairments define disability.
• C. Disability is defined only by duration of illness.
• D. No impairment qualifies as disability.

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is how disability is defined under federal law: it centers on whether an impairment substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities include things like seeing, hearing, speaking, walking, breathing, learning, working, and caring for oneself. So a disability is present when an impairment has a substantial impact on at least one of these areas. That’s why the statement is the best answer: it accurately captures that the essential criterion is a substantial limitation on major life activities. It emphasizes the functional effect of the impairment, not just the label of the condition. The other notions aren’t correct because disability isn’t defined solely by mental impairments, nor by how long someone is ill, nor is it true that no impairment can qualify. In addition, real-world definitions under federal civil rights laws also recognize that a person can be protected if there is a record of such an impairment or if they are regarded as having one, even beyond the substantial limitation standard.

The key idea here is how disability is defined under federal law: it centers on whether an impairment substantially limits one or more major life activities. Major life activities include things like seeing, hearing, speaking, walking, breathing, learning, working, and caring for oneself. So a disability is present when an impairment has a substantial impact on at least one of these areas.

That’s why the statement is the best answer: it accurately captures that the essential criterion is a substantial limitation on major life activities. It emphasizes the functional effect of the impairment, not just the label of the condition.

The other notions aren’t correct because disability isn’t defined solely by mental impairments, nor by how long someone is ill, nor is it true that no impairment can qualify. In addition, real-world definitions under federal civil rights laws also recognize that a person can be protected if there is a record of such an impairment or if they are regarded as having one, even beyond the substantial limitation standard.