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...
  • Northeast ADA Center Year in Review 2020
    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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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.
What is the EEOC?
Social media banner with a background image of a judge’s gavel and sounding block. The text says: What is the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)? The EEOC is the federal agency that enforces employment-related nondiscrimination laws, including the employment provisions in Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
What is ADA PARC?
Social media banner with a background image of two people raising their hands to speak. The text says: What is the ADA Participation Action Research Consortium (ADA PARC)? This national collaboration gathers data about community living, community participation, and work/economic participation of people with disabilities.
Olmstead Decision
Social media banner with a background image of a seated person being assisted by a helping person. The text says: What did the 1999 US Supreme Court Olmstead Decision say about the ADA? It clarified that under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state-funded supports and services for people with disabilities must be community-based when appropriate, reasonable, and the wish of the individual.
Service animals and businesses – two tips
Social media banner with a background showing three people and a service dog standing on a path in front of shrubbery. One person is using a walker. The text says: Service animals and businesses. Two tips for when a service animal enters your business… Don’t distract a service animal; they’re working. Remember that the handler is your customer, not the animal.