Under the ADA, a “qualified individual with a disability” is a person with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of a position. A person has a disability if the person has a “physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of the person’s major life activities.” A person is also regarded as having a disability if he or she has a record of such impairment or is regarded as having such an impairment.

The term “impairment” includes most physical or mental disorders. It also includes learning disabilities, drug addiction and alcoholism.

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