Eligibility For ADA Protections

To be covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), you must:

• Work for a covered employer 
• Be a qualified individual which means that you can perform the essential functions of your job with or without a reasonable accommodation 
• Fit the ADA definition of "disabled" (you have a known physical or mental limitation or there could be a perception that you have one).
• Not pose a direct to co-workers or the public as a result of your condition/diagnosis. For information, see:
  • What Is A "Direct Threat" To Yourself Or To Others For ADA Purposes?
  • How To Determine If A Health Condition Poses A Threat For ADA Purposes

NOTE: If you are not eligible under the ADA, consider negotiating for an accommodation anyhow if needed for your health care or to help you do your job. After all, if you cannot  do your job, you are subject to being fired unless you are legally protected. NOTE: If there is a choice, it may not be in your interest to disclose your health condition if your employer is not friendly to people with a serious health condition such as yours.

FOR RELATED INFORMATION, see:

• ADA And Work  (in general)
• Covered Employers
  • Americans With Disabilities: The State Fair Employment Laws (similar to the ADA)
• Employee eligiblity
  • What Are The Essential Functions Of Your Job?
  • ADA Definition Of "Disabled"
  • What Is A "Direct Threat" To Yourself Or To Others For ADA Purposes?
  • How To Determine If A Health Condition Poses A Threat For ADA Purposes
• Discrimination 101
• Accommodations 
  • How To Determine What Is A Reasonable Accommodation For My My Job
  • How To Request And Negotiate An Accommodation At Work
  • Sample Letters To Request An Accommodation
• Confidentiality 101: What An Employer May And May Not  Do Under The ADA
• Enforcement Of Your Rights Under The ADA
  • How To Get Started Enforcing Your Rights Under The ADA
  • Sample EEOC complaint letter

For information about additional legal protections at work, click here.

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