Qualified individual

The term qualified individual is used differently in different parts of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

  • Title 1: Title 1, which deals with employment, is concerned about discrimination against people who are qualified to do a job. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) uses specific language to describe how to tell whether someone is a qualified individual. Being qualified includes having the skills, experience, and background to meet a job’s requirements.
  • Title II and Title III: Title II covers state and local government (public entities), while Title III covers businesses and nonprofit organizations open to the public (public accommodations). Public entities and public accommodations must not discriminate against a person based on disability, so long as that person is otherwise qualified to benefit from, participate in, or access programs and services. For example, if a person must be a county resident to access the county’s social services, then a person with a disability must also be a county resident in order to gain access. In these cases, a qualified individual cannot be discriminated against based on a disability. This may require a reasonable modification to a practice or policy, using auxiliary aids or services for communication, removing physical barriers, or eliminating communication- or transportation-related barriers.


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  • Introduction to the Service Animal Toolkit
    07/27/2022- Do customers bring dogs into your business claiming they are service animals, emotional support animals, comfort dogs, or therapy dogs? Join Chris Sweet, technical assistant for the Northeast ADA Cent...
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    01/28/2021- While COVID-19 was certainly one of the largest stories of 2020, other ADA items of note happened as well. Join the technical assistance team of the Northeast ADA Center as they review the year 2020....
  • ADA 101.2 Overview of Title I and Employment
    04/26/2021- This webinar is the third in the Northeast ADA's ADA 101 series. Intended for those new to the Americans with Disabilities Act or for those wanting a refresher, this webinar will focus on the employme...
  • ADA 101.1 Defining Disability
    03/26/2021- This presentation builds on the introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) given in the webinar ADA 101. Intended for those new to the ADA or for those wanting a refresher, this webinar...

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Movimiento para el Alcance de Vida Independiente (MAVI) in Puerto Rico
Movimiento para el Alcance de Vida Independiente (MAVI) in Puerto Rico
Social media banner with an image of the U.S. and New Jersey state flags in the background. The text says: Movimiento para el Alcance de Vida Independiente (MAVI) 
MAVI is an independent living center serving Puerto Rico. It supports the independence, equality, and inclusion of people with disabilities in the community.
Resources for Independent Living in New Jersey
Social media banner with an image of the U.S. and New Jersey state flags in the background. The text says Resources for Independent Living (RIL) RIL is an independent living center serving multiple counties in southern New Jersey. Its mission is to provide individuals with disabilities the means for self-choice, self-direction, and self-reliance in an inclusive society.
Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands
Social media banner with an image of the Virgin Islands flag in the background. The text says: Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands (DRCVI) DRCVI is the protection and advocacy agency for the US Virgin Islands. It works to provide legal advocacy services for people with disabilities living in the territory.
ADA Amendments Act of 2008
Social media banner with a background image of a worker taking a short break to check his blood glucose levels. The text says: What was the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 The act broadened the definition of disability in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It stated that a “bodily function” is a life activity and gave examples. It also clarified the ADA prohibition of employment discrimination. ADAAA
2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
Social media banner with a background image of a universal access sign. The text says: What do the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design require? They require newly designed and constructed or altered state and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities to be readily accessible to—and usable by—individuals with disabilities.