Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA)

📌 Link to the Text of the Act

Read the statute (Public Law 110–325)

📌 Why It Was Done

The ADAAA was enacted to restore the broad protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 after a series of Supreme Court decisions had narrowed the definition of “disability.”

📌 Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights

The original ADA protected individuals with disabilities, but rulings such as *Sutton v. United Airlines* (1999) and *Toyota v. Williams* (2002) excluded many with chronic illnesses or controlled conditions. The ADAAA explicitly rejected these rulings.

📌 Overreach or Proper Role?

Supporters argue it restored congressional intent and ensured broader coverage. Critics say it expanded employer liability and compliance costs by broadening who qualifies as disabled.

📌 Who or What It Controls

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  Employers (must accommodate a wider range of impairments)
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  Public entities and private businesses (broader accessibility obligations)
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  Individuals with disabilities (gain stronger legal protections)

📌 Key Sections / Citations

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  Clarified that “disability” should be interpreted broadly
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  Mitigating measures (like medication or prosthetics) cannot be used to deny disability status
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  Expanded coverage for episodic conditions (e.g., epilepsy, PTSD, depression)

📌 Recent Changes or Live Controversies

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  Remains central in workplace discrimination and accommodation lawsuits
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  Continues to shape digital accessibility debates alongside Section 508 and ADA Title III
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  Ongoing litigation defines the scope of “reasonable accommodation”

📌 Official Sources

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  Congress.gov – ADAAA 2008
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  EEOC – ADA Amendments Act
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  ADA National Network – ADAAA Overview