New ADA Regulations Highlight Law’s Broad Scope

In March, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published the final regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), noting its intention "to implement fully the requirements of the ADAAA's broader definition of 'disability.'"

The ADAAA:

• expanded the definition of "major life activities" as that term is used in defining a "disability;"
• clarified that an employee may bring a claim for suffering an adverse action based on being perceived as having a physical or mental impairment whether or not the impairment limits or is perceived to limit a major life activity, unless the impairment is transitory (lasting less than 6 months) and minor;