ABSTRACT

Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 842

Bringing an ADA Perspective to the Practice of Case Management and Life Care Planning ............................................................................................................. 842

National Council on Disability and ADA ....................................................................... 843 ADA Defi nition of Disability and the Five Titles ..................................................................... 844

ADA Restoration Act ...................................................................................................... 844 Th e ADA Amendments Act of 2008 ................................................................................845 Major Life Activities and the Burden of Proof................................................................. 846

Understanding the Development of Case Law ......................................................................... 847 Precedent versus Persuasive Authority ............................................................................. 847 Th e Eff ects of Supreme Court Decisions on Lower Courts ............................................. 848

From Case Law to Practice: Integrating Court Decisions into the Practice of Case Management and Life Care Planning.............................................................................. 848 Th e Role of Mitigating and Corrective Measures in Determining Disability ................... 848 Single Job versus Class of Jobs ........................................................................................ 848 Toyota v. Williams Supreme Court Decision .................................................................... 849 Other Important Supreme Court Decisions .................................................................... 849

Court Decisions and Th eir Impact on Rehabilitation and Life Care Planning Practice .....850 Outcome of ADA Title I Cases ........................................................................................851 Comparison of the 1990 ADA and the ADA Amendments Act .......................................852

Summary and Conclusions .......................................................................................................853 References ............................................................................................................................... 854 Supreme Court Decisions .........................................................................................................855 Important Websites ..................................................................................................................855

Introduction Th e Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is undergoing a major transition, particularly as a result of the amendments of 2008. Th e purpose of this chapter is to provide a framework for understanding the transition the ADA is going through, especially in defi ning what it means to have a disability under the Act. Th e rehabilitation professional, whether case manager, life care planner, or vocational expert, is encouraged to have an understanding of this transition to best serve as an advocate for individuals with disabilities.