Opinion ID: 200014
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The ADA Standard

Text: 22 The ADA prohibits discrimination in employment against qualified persons with a disability. 42 U.S.C. § 12112(a). 2 Discrimination under the ADA includes not making reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability who is an applicant or employee, unless ... the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the business. Id. § 12112(b)(5)(A). 23 Carroll appears to premise his claim of disability discrimination upon two discrete theories of liability — (1) disparate treatment and (2) failure to reasonably accommodate his job-related stress and anxiety disorder. Under either theory, a threshold showing of disability is required. 24 With respect to his disparate treatment claim, Carroll alleges that Xerox discriminated against him because of his alleged impairment by, inter alia, forcing him to transfer to a non-managerial position at a lower salary. To recover under this theory pursuant to the ADA and its Massachusetts analogue, Chapter 151B, Carroll must show (1) that he suffers from a disability or handicap, as defined by the ADA and Chapter 151B, 3 that (2) he was nevertheless able to perform the essential functions of his job, either with or without reasonable accommodation, and finally that (3) Xerox took an adverse employment action against him because of, in whole or in part, his protected disability. Lessard v. Osram Sylvania, Inc., 175 F.3d 193, 197 (1st Cir.1999). As to his reasonable accommodation claim, Carroll needs to show, in addition to the first two prongs set forth above, that Xerox, despite knowing of his alleged disability, did not reasonably accommodate it. See Higgins v. New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc., 194 F.3d 252, 264 (1st Cir.1999). 25 As noted, the district court ruled against Carroll on all of these elements. The parties raise several issues on appeal bearing upon each of these elements. However, we only reach the initial question of disability, concluding that Carroll failed to produce sufficient evidence that he had a disability within the meaning of relevant law. In light of this threshold deficiency, we need not address the remaining grounds upon which the district court relied in its grant of summary judgment. 26 The disability requirement can be satisfied by demonstrating a physical or mental impairment that substantially limited one or more of Carroll's major life activities. 4 42 U.S.C. § 12102(2)(A). Tracking that standard, we apply a three-part analysis when considering statutory disability under § 12102(2)(A). See Bragdon v. Abbott, 524 U.S. 624, 631, 118 S.Ct. 2196, 141 L.Ed.2d 540 (1998). First, we consider whether Carroll's alleged condition constitutes a mental or physical impairment. See id. Second, we identify the life activities upon which Carroll relies to determine whether they constitute major life activities under the ADA, see id. — that is, activities that are of central importance to daily life. Toyota Motor Mfg., Ky., Inc. v. Williams, 534 U.S. 184, 122 S.Ct. 681, 691, 151 L.Ed.2d 615 (2002). Third, tying the two statutory phrases together, we ask whether the impairment substantially limits the activity found to amount to be a major life activity. Lebron-Torres v. Whitehall Labs., 251 F.3d 236, 239-40 (1st Cir.2001) (citing Bragdon, 524 U.S. at 631, 118 S.Ct. 2196). To be substantially limiting, [t]he impairment's impact must ... be permanent or long-term. Toyota Motor, 122 S.Ct. at 691, 122 S.Ct. 681 (citing 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(j)(2)(ii)-(iii)). 27 Under the framework articulated above, [i]t is insufficient ... to merely submit evidence of a medical diagnosis of an impairment. Id. Rather, those seeking ADA protection must offer evidence that `the extent of the limitation [caused by their impairment] in terms of their own experience ... is substantial.' Id. at 691-92, 122 S.Ct. 681 (quoting Albertson's, Inc. v. Kirkingburg, 527 U.S. 555, 567, 119 S.Ct. 2162, 144 L.Ed.2d 518 (1999)) (alterations in original).