Which prongs comprise the ADA's disability definition?

Which prongs comprise the ADA's disability definition?

• A. Only actual impairment
• B. Only record of impairment
• C. Actual impairment, record of impairment, or regarded as having such impairment
• D. None

Answer: (C)

Disability under the ADA is defined through three paths: an actual physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment. This means protections apply not only to people with current impairments, but also to those with a past impairment and to individuals who are treated as disabled even if they don’t have a qualifying impairment. The correct choice reflects all three possibilities. If you focus on only an actual impairment or only a record of impairment, you’d miss the other protective pathways, and “none” isn’t correct because the ADA clearly identifies these three prongs.

Disability under the ADA is defined through three paths: an actual physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment. This means protections apply not only to people with current impairments, but also to those with a past impairment and to individuals who are treated as disabled even if they don’t have a qualifying impairment. The correct choice reflects all three possibilities. If you focus on only an actual impairment or only a record of impairment, you’d miss the other protective pathways, and “none” isn’t correct because the ADA clearly identifies these three prongs.