ADA “Major Life Activities”

Caring for oneself, seeing, hearing, touching, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, sitting, reaching, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, interacting with others, and working all are considered “major life activities.” Also included are major bodily functions such as normal cell growth, reproduction, immune system, blood circulation, and the like. Some conditions are specifically designated as disabilities by the EEOC. They include diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), MS (multiple sclerosis), CP (cerebral palsy), and CF (cystic fibrosis) because they interfere with one or more of our major life activities.