According to Section 504/ADA, what is an individual with a disability defined as?

The definition of an individual with a disability according to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is indeed a person with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. This definition is critical as it encompasses a broad range of conditions, including both physical and mental health issues, and recognizes how these conditions can impact an individual's ability to perform everyday tasks.

Major life activities include, but are not limited to, activities such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working. The emphasis on "substantially limits" indicates that the impact of the impairment must be significant enough to interfere with the individual’s ability to perform these activities, ensuring that protections extend to those whose disabilities might not be immediately visible or whose limitations are not quantified by specific medical diagnoses.

In contrast, the other choices focus on more limited definitions or circumstances that do not align with the comprehensive understanding of disability established by the ADA. For example, a learning disability alone is not sufficient to meet the criteria, as many disabilities extend beyond cognitive challenges. Similarly, temporary conditions or those that do not limit daily activities do not qualify under the ADA, as the intent is to protect individuals whose impairments have a meaningful