Substantial Limitation | Meaning and Definition

What is a substantial limitation?

A substantial limitation is a condition that causes a severe enough impairment or handicap to limit a “major living activity” or “main physiological function,” such as:

•   Walking, kneeling, bending, carrying, and other exercises
•   Breathing
•   Communication and reading
•   Learning, thinking, focusing, and so on.
•   carrying out manual labor
•   Normal cell growth, as well as the immunological, circulatory, and neurological systems
•   Functions of the digestive, colon, and bladder

What Does the ADA Consider a “Substantial Limitation”?

In 2009, changes to the Americans with Impairments Act went into effect to protect people with disabilities from discrimination in areas like employment. The “limitations” that qualify as a disability are listed in a three-part definition.

•       The first pillar deals with current limitations.
•       Cancer is one example of a physical limitation.
•       Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects people.
•       Blindness
•       Diabetes

Alternatively, a current mental illness such as:

•       Dyslexia
•       PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder.
•       Schizophrenia
•       Autism
•       A deformity of the face, such as those resulting from severe burns.
•       Anatomical loss, such as the amputation of an arm.

The second prong addresses a disability that isn’t actively impacting a person, including when cancer is already in remission or a person has healed from PTSD.