what is a disability?
What is the definition of disability under the ADA? Printer-friendly version It is important to remember that in the context of the ADA, âdisabilityâ is a legal term rather than a medical one. Because it has a legal definition, the ADAâs definition of disability is different from how disability is defined under some other laws. It is important to remember that in the context of the ADA, âdisabilityâ is a legal term rather than a medical one.  The ADA defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. This includes people who have a record of such an impairment, even if they do not currently have a disability.