ADA Overview
As part of its obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) the Department (DTA) strives to continually improve its responsiveness to persons with disabilities.
The Department has certain obligations toward applicants and clients (hereafter called clients) under the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973:
Section 504 makes it illegal for public agencies receiving federal funds to discriminate against individuals with disabilities.
- Title II of the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by states and government entities.
- Generally, DTA must provide an individual who has a disability, equal opportunity to participate in or benefit from its programs.
Reminder: All Department staff (including Central Office Staff with client contact and Hearings Officers) have an obligation to assist all clients (or help the client get assistance)( e.g., help filling out applications, obtaining verifications, understanding notices and/or policies, etc.) regardless of whether or not they have a disability.
ADA Definition
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines disability as:
- a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
- having a record of such an impairment; or
- being regarded as having such an impairment.
Major life activities include caring for oneself, walking, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, sleeping, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, breathing, learning and working.
Disability under the ADA can include hidden disabilities such as learning disabilities or psychological impairments.
Note: A person may be qualified for an ADA accommodation without qualifying for a disability exemption for a Department program.
The ADA has different standards for determining disability than the standards used to determine Department exemption eligibility.
Related Topics
Last Update: April 24, 2015