sutton et al air lines argued april decided june petitioners severely myopic twin sisters uncorrected visual acuity worse corrective measures function identically individuals without similar impairments applied respondent major commercial airline carrier employment commercial airline pilots rejected meet respondent minimum requirement uncorrected visual acuity better consequently filed suit americans disabilities act ada prohibits covered employers discriminating individuals basis disabilities among things ada defines disability physical mental impairment substantially limits one major life activities regarded impairment district dismissed petitioners complaint failure state claim upon relief granted held petitioners actually disabled subsection disability definition fully correct visual impairments also determined petitioners regarded respondent disabled subsection definition petitioners alleged respondent regarded unable satisfy requirements particular job global airline pilot allegations insufficient state claim petitioners regarded substantially limited major life activity working employing similar logic tenth circuit affirmed held petitioners alleged disabled within ada meaning pp agency delegated authority interpret term disability used ada eeoc nevertheless issued regulations among things define physical impairment mean ny physiological disorder affecting special sense organs substantially limits mean nable perform major life activity average person general population perform ajor ife ctivities mea functions working parties accept regulations valid determining validity necessary decide case occasion consider deference due eeoc justice department also issued interpretive guidelines providing determination whether individual substantially limited major life activity must made case case basis without regard mitigating measures assistive prosthetic devices although parties dispute guidelines persuasive force need case decide deference due pp petitioners stated claim actual physical impairment substantially limits one major life activities three separate ada provisions read concert lead conclusion determination whether individual disabled made reference measures eyeglasses contact lenses mitigate individual impairment approach adopted agency guidelines impermissible interpretation ada first phrase substantially limits appears subsection present indicative verb form language properly read requiring person presently potentially hypothetically substantially limited order demonstrate disability disability exists impairment substantially limits major life activity might substantially limiting corrective measures taken second subsection requires disabilities evaluated respect individual determined based whether impairment substantially limits individual major life activities question whether person disability ada individualized inquiry see bragdon abbott guidelines directive persons judged uncorrected unmitigated state runs directly counter mandated individualized inquiry former create system persons often treated members group similar impairments rather individuals also lead anomalous result courts employers consider negative side effects suffered individual resulting use mitigating measures even side effects severe finally critically congressional finding million americans one physical mental disabilities see requires conclusion congress intend bring ada protection whose uncorrected conditions amount disabilities group include million people petitioners allege corrective measures vision better actually disabled subsection pp petitioners also failed allege properly regarded see impairment substantially limits major life activity see generally claims arise employer mistakenly believes individual substantially limiting impairment support claims petitioners allege respondent impermissible vision requirement based myth stereotype respondent mistakenly believes due poor vision petitioners unable work global airline pilots thus substantially limited major life activity working creating physical criteria job without violate ada ada allows employers prefer physical attributes others long attributes rise level substantially limiting impairments employer free decide physical characteristics medical conditions impairments preferable others free decide limiting substantially limiting impairments make individuals less ideally suited job addition petitioners sufficiently alleged regarded substantially limited major life activity working major life activity consideration working ada requires least one ability work significantly reduced eeoc regulations similarly define substantially limits mean significantly restricted ability perform either class jobs broad range jobs various classes compared average person comparable training skills abilities assumes without deciding work major life activity regulation reasonable observes however defining major life activities include work potential make ada circular assuming work major life activity finds petitioners allegations insufficient position global airline pilot single job indeed number positions utilizing petitioners skills regional pilot pilot instructor available also rejects petitioners argument substantially limited ability work assumed substantial number airlines vision requirements similar respondent argument flawed enough say otherwise permissible physical criteria preferences single employer imputed similar employers one regarded substantially limited major life activity working result imputation rather employer physical criteria permissible long cause employer make employment decision based impairment real imagined regards substantially limiting major life activity petitioners alleged demonstrate respondent vision requirement reflects belief vision substantially limits pp affirmed delivered opinion rehnquist scalia kennedy souter thomas ginsburg joined ginsburg filed concurring opinion stevens filed dissenting opinion breyer joined breyer filed dissenting opinion karen sutton kimberly hinton petitioners air lines writ certiorari appeals tenth circuit june justice delivered opinion americans disabilities act ada act stat et prohibits certain employers discriminating individuals basis disabilities see petitioners challenge dismissal ada action failure state claim upon relief granted conclude complaint properly dismissed reaching result hold determination whether individual disabled made reference measures mitigate individual impairment including instance eyeglasses contact lenses addition hold petitioners failed allege properly respondent regarded disability within meaning ada petitioners amended complaint dismissed failure state claim upon relief granted see fed rule civ proc accordingly accept allegations contained complaint true purposes case see gaubert petitioners twin sisters severe myopia petitioner uncorrected visual acuity worse right eye worse left eye ith use corrective lenses vision better app consequently without corrective lenses effectively see conduct numerous activities driving vehicle watching television shopping public stores corrective measures glasses contact lenses function identically individuals without similar impairment ibid petitioners applied respondent employment commercial airline pilots met respondent basic age education experience faa certification qualifications submitting applications employment petitioners invited respondent interview flight simulator tests told interviews however mistake made inviting interview petitioners meet respondent minimum vision requirement uncorrected visual acuity better due failure meet requirement petitioners interviews terminated neither offered pilot position light respondent proffered reason rejecting petitioners filed charge disability discrimination ada equal employment opportunity commission eeoc receiving right sue letter petitioners filed suit district district colorado alleging respondent discriminated basis disability respondent regarded petitioners disability violation ada app specifically petitioners alleged due severe myopia actually substantially limiting impairment regarded impairment see thus disabled act district dismissed petitioners complaint failure state claim upon relief granted see civ app pet cert petitioners fully correct visual impairments held actually substantially limited major life activity thus stated claim disabled within meaning ada also determined petitioners made allegations sufficient support claim regarded respondent impairment substantially limits major life activity observed statutory reference substantial limitation indicates employer regards employee handicapped ability work finding employee impairment foreclose generally type employment involved petitioners alleged respondent regarded unable satisfy requirements particular job global airline pilot consequently held petitioners stated claim regarded substantially limited major life activity working employing similar logic appeals tenth circuit affirmed district judgment tenth circuit decision tension decisions courts appeals see bartlett new york state bd law examiners holding considered determining disability cert pending baert euclid beverage holding disabilities determined without reference mitigating measures matczak frankford candy chocolate arnold parcel service see also washington hca health servs texas holding impairments evaluated uncorrected state cert pending granted certiorari affirm ii ada prohibits discrimination covered entities including private employers qualified individuals disability specifically provides covered employer shall discriminate qualified individual disability disability individual regard job application procedures hiring advancement discharge employees employee compensation job training terms conditions privileges employment see also term covered entity means employer employment agency labor organization joint committee qualified individual disability identified individual disability without reasonable accommodation perform essential functions employment position individual holds desires turn disability defined physical mental impairment substantially limits one major life activities individual record impairment regarded impairment accordingly fall within definition one must actual disability subsection record disability subsection regarded one subsection parties agree authority issue regulations implement act split primarily among three government agencies according parties eeoc authority issue regulations carry employment provisions title ada pursuant later year date enactment act commission shall issue regulations accessible format carry subchapter accordance subchapter ii chapter title attorney general granted authority issue regulations respect title ii subtitle relates public services see later year date enactment act attorney general shall promulgate regulations accessible format implement part finally secretary transportation authority issue regulations pertaining transportation provisions titles ii iii see later year date enactment act secretary transportation shall issue regulations accessible format necessary carrying subpart section title substantially substantially later one year date enactment act secretary shall issue final regulations carry section see also granting authority architectural transportation barriers compliance board issue minimum guidelines supplement existing minimum guidelines requirements accessible design moreover agencies authorized offer technical assistance regarding provisions administer see federal agency responsibility paragraph implementing chapter may render technical assistance individuals institutions rights duties respective subchapter subchapters chapter agency responsibility agency however given authority issue regulations implementing generally applicable provisions ada see fall outside titles notably agency delegated authority interpret term disability justice breyer contrary imaginative interpretation act delegation provisions see post dissenting opinion belied terms structure ada eeoc nonetheless issued regulations provide additional guidance regarding proper interpretation term restating definition disability given statute see cfr eeoc regulations define three elements disability physical mental impairment substantially limits major life activities see regulations physical impairment includes ny physiological disorder condition cosmetic disfigurement anatomical loss affecting one following body systems neurological musculoskeletal special sense organs respiratory including speech organs cardiovascular reproductive digestive hemic lymphatic skin endocrine term substantially limits means among things nable perform major life activity average person general population perform ignificantly restricted condition manner duration individual perform particular major life activity compared condition manner duration average person general population perform major life activity finally ajor ife ctivities means functions caring oneself performing manual tasks walking seeing hearing speaking breathing learning working parties accept regulations valid determining validity necessary decide case occasion consider deference due agencies also issued interpretive guidelines aid implementation regulations instance time promulgated regulations eeoc issued interpretive guidance provides determination whether individual substantially limited major life activity must made case case basis without regard mitigating measures medicines assistive prosthetic devices cfr pt app describing department justice issued similar guideline see cfr pt app question whether person disability assessed without regard availability mitigating measures reasonable modification auxiliary aids services pt app although parties dispute persuasive force interpretive guidelines need case decide deference due iii statutory regulatory framework mind turn first question whether petitioners stated claim subsection disability definition whether alleged possess physical impairment substantially limits one major life activities see petitioners allege corrective measures vision better see app actually disabled within meaning act disability determination made reference measures consequently respect subsection disability definition decision turns whether disability determined without reference corrective measures petitioners maintain whether impairment substantially limiting determined without regard corrective measures argue ada directly address question hand defer agency interpretations statute embodied agency guidelines issued eeoc department justice guidelines specifically direct determination whether individual substantially limited major life activity made without regard mitigating measures see cfr pt app cfr pt app cfr pt app respondent turn maintains impairment substantially limit major life activity corrected argues defer agency guidelines cited petitioners guidelines conflict plain meaning ada phrase substantially limits one major life activities explains requires substantial limitations actually presently exist moreover respondent argues disregarding mitigating measures taken individual defies statutory command examine effect impairment major life activities individual even statute ambiguous respondent claims guidelines directive ignore mitigating measures reasonable thus defer conclude respondent correct approach adopted agency guidelines persons evaluated hypothetical uncorrected state impermissible interpretation ada looking act whole apparent person taking measures correct mitigate physical mental impairment effects measures positive negative must taken account judging whether person substantially limited major life activity thus disabled act dissent relies legislative history ada contrary proposition individuals examined uncorrected state see post opinion tevens decide terms ada read manner reason consider ada legislative history three separate provisions ada read concert lead us conclusion act defines disability physical mental impairment substantially limits one major life activities individual emphasis added phrase substantially limits appears act present indicative verb form think language properly read requiring person presently potentially hypothetically substantially limited order demonstrate disability disability exists impairment substantially limits major life activity might substantially limiting mitigating measures taken person whose physical mental impairment corrected medication measures impairment presently substantially limits major life activity sure person whose physical mental impairment corrected mitigating measures still impairment impairment corrected substantially limi major life activity definition disability also requires disabilities evaluated respect individual determined based whether impairment substantially limits major life activities individual thus whether person disability ada individualized inquiry see bragdon abbott declining consider whether hiv infection per se disability ada cfr pt app determination whether individual disability necessarily based name diagnosis impairment person rather effect impairment life individual agency guidelines directive persons judged uncorrected unmitigated state runs directly counter individualized inquiry mandated ada agency approach often require courts employers speculate person condition many cases force make disability determination based general information uncorrected impairment usually affects individuals rather individual actual condition instance view courts almost certainly find diabetics disabled failed monitor blood sugar levels administer insulin almost certainly substantially limited one major life activities diabetic whose illness impair daily activities therefore considered disabled simply diabetes thus guidelines approach create system persons often must treated members group people similar impairments rather individuals contrary letter spirit ada guidelines approach also lead anomalous result determining whether individual disabled courts employers consider negative side effects suffered individual resulting use mitigating measures even side effects severe see johnson antipsychotics pros cons antipsychotics rn noting antipsychotic drugs cause variety adverse effects including neuroleptic malignant syndrome painful seizures liver risk warning added parkinson drug fda consumer mar warning drug treating parkinson disease cause liver damage curry kulling newer antiepileptic drugs american family physician cataloging serious negative side effects new antiepileptic drugs result also inconsistent individualized approach ada finally critically findings enacted part ada require conclusion congress intend bring statute protection whose uncorrected conditions amount disabilities congress found americans one physical mental disabilities number increasing population whole growing older figure inconsistent definition disability pressed petitioners although exact source million figure clear corresponding finding precursor ada drawn directly report prepared national council disability see burgdorf americans disabilities act analysis implications civil rights statute harv civ lib rev reporting article authored drafter original ada bill introduced congress report source figure million disabled persons quoted versions bill introduced report detailed difficulty estimating number disabled persons due varying operational definitions disability national council disability toward independence explained estimates number disabled americans ranged overinclusive million health conditions approach looks conditions impair health normal functional abilities individual underinclusive million work disability approach focuses individuals reported ability work noted figure million commonly quoted estimate million number included bill findings thus clearly reflects approach defining disabilities closer work disabilities approach health conditions approach background also provides clues likely source figure findings act roughly two years issuing report national council disability issued updated report see threshold independence report settled concrete definition disability stated million individuals difficulty performing one basic physical activities including seeing hearing speaking walking using stairs lifting carrying getting around outside getting around inside getting bed study drew data took explicitly functional approach evaluating disabilities see dept commerce bureau census disability functional limitation health insurance coverage measured million persons functional limitation performing certain basic activities using questionnaire put special aids glasses hearing aids person usually used aids number disabled provided study adopted report however includes noninstitutionalized persons physical disabilities age million gap million figure ada findings million figure report thus probably explained effort include findings excluded national council figure see national institute disability rehabilitation research data disability national health interview survey pp finding approximately noninstitutionalized persons activity limitation due mental illness noninstitutionalized persons activity limitation due mental retardation noninstitutionalized persons activity limitation dept commerce bureau census statistical abstract table finding resident patients nursing related care facilities excluding nursing homes regardless exact source however million figure reflects understanding whose impairments largely corrected medication devices disabled within meaning ada estimate consistent numbers produced studies performed time period took similar functional approach determining disability instance mathematica policy research drawing data national center health statistics issued estimate approximately million civilian noninstitutionalized persons chronic activity limitation status digest data persons disabilities statistical abstract offered estimate based data well estimate million noninstitutionalized persons activity limitation statistical abstract supra table cases individuals activity limitations relative group conduct usual activities attending preschool keeping house living independently see national center health statistics dept health human services vital health statistics current estimates national health interview survey series pp contrast nonfunctional approaches defining disability produce significantly larger numbers noted national council disability report estimated million disabled health conditions approach toward independence supra see also mathematica policy research supra arriving similar estimate based census bureau data indeed number people vision impairments alone million see national advisory eye council dept health human services vision research national plan ore million people need corrective lenses see properly estimated million americans impaired hearing national institutes health national strategic research plan hearing hearing impairment approximately million people high blood pressure hypertension tindall stalking silent killer hypertension business health august million americans high blood pressure included ada text finding million individuals disabled gives content ada terms specifically term disability congress intended include persons corrected physical limitations among covered act undoubtedly cited much higher number disabled persons findings evidence ada coverage restricted whose impairments mitigated corrective measures dissents suggest viewing individuals corrected state exclude definition disab led use prosthetic limbs see post opinion stevens post opinion reyer take medicine epilepsy high blood pressure see post opinion tevens suggestion incorrect use corrective device relieve one disability rather one disability subsection notwithstanding use corrective device individual substantially limited major life activity example individuals use prosthetic limbs wheelchairs may mobile capable functioning society still disabled substantial limitation ability walk run may true individuals take medicine lessen symptoms impairment function nevertheless remain substantially limited alternatively one whose high blood pressure cured medication may regarded disabled covered entity thus disabled subsection definition use nonuse corrective device determine whether individual disabled determination depends whether limitations individual impairment actually faces fact substantially limiting applying reading act case hand conclude appeals correctly resolved issue disability respondent favor noted petitioners allege corrective measures visual acuity app amended complaint function identically individuals without similar impairment amended complaint addition petitioners concede argue use corrective lenses demonstrates substantially limiting impairment brief petitioners accordingly decide disability act determined reference corrective measures agree courts petitioners stated claim substantially limited major life activity iv conclusion petitioners failed state claim actually disabled subsection disability definition end inquiry subsection individuals regarded disability disabled within meaning ada see subsection provides disability includes regarded physical mental impairment substantially limits one major life activities individual two apparent ways individuals may fall within statutory definition covered entity mistakenly believes person physical impairment substantially limits one major life activities covered entity mistakenly believes actual nonlimiting impairment substantially limits one major life activities cases necessary covered entity entertain misperceptions individual must believe either one substantially limiting impairment one one substantially limiting impairment fact impairment limiting misperceptions often resul stereotypic assumptions truly indicative individual ability see see also school bd nassau cty arline amending definition handicapped individual include actually physically impaired also regarded impaired result substantially limited major life activity congress acknowledged society accumulated myths fears disability disease handicapping physical limitations flow actual impairment cfr pt app explaining purpose regarded prong cover individuals rejected job myths fears stereotypes associated disabilities dispute petitioners physically impaired petitioners make obvious argument regarded due impairments substantially limited major life activity seeing contend respondent mistakenly believes physical impairments substantially limit major life activity working support claim petitioners allege respondent vision requirement allegedly based myth stereotype requirement substantially limits ability engage major life activity working precluding obtaining job global airline pilot argue class employment see app amended complaint reply respondent argues position global airline pilot class jobs therefore petitioners stated claim regarded substantially limited major life activity working standing alone allegation respondent vision requirement place establish claim respondent regards petitioners substantially limited major life activity working see brief respondent advancing argument brief et al amici curiae nder eeoc regulations employer may make employment decisions based physical characteristics terms ada allows employers prefer physical attributes others establish physical criteria employer runs afoul ada makes employment decision based physical mental impairment real imagined regarded substantially limiting major life activity accordingly employer free decide physical characteristics medical conditions rise level impairment one height build singing voice preferable others free decide limiting substantially limiting impairments make individuals less ideally suited job considering allegations amended complaint tandem petitioners stated claim respondent regards impairment substantially limiting ability work ada define substantially limits substantially suggests considerable specified large degree see webster third new international dictionary defining substantially substantial manner substantial considerable amount value worth specified large degree main see also oxford english dictionary ed substantial elating proceeding essence thing essential ample considerable amount quantity dimensions eeoc codified regulations interpreting term substantially limits manner defining term mean nable perform ignificantly restricted see cfr ii major life activity consideration working statutory phrase substantially limits requires minimum plaintiffs allege unable work broad class jobs reflecting requirement eeoc uses specialized definition term substantially limits referring major life activity working significantly restricted ability perform either class jobs broad range jobs various classes compared average person comparable training skills abilities inability perform single particular job constitute substantial limitation major life activity working eeoc identifies several factors courts consider determining whether individual substantially limited major life activity working including geographical area individual reasonable access number types jobs utilizing similar training knowledge skills abilities within geographical area individual also disqualified ii substantially limited major life activity working one must precluded one type job specialized job particular job choice jobs utilizing individual skills perhaps unique talents available one precluded substantial class jobs similarly host different types jobs available one precluded broad range jobs parties accept term major life activities includes working determine validity cited regulations note however may conceptual difficulty defining major life activities include work seems argue circle say one excluded instance reason impairment working others exclusion constitutes impairment question asking whether exclusion reason handicap tr oral arg school bd nassau arline argument solicitor general indeed even eeoc expressed reluctance define major life activities include working suggested working viewed residual life activity considered last resort individual substantially limited respect major life activity cfr pt app emphasis added individual substantially limited major life activity determination made whether individual substantially limited working emphasis added assuming without deciding working major life activity eeoc regulations interpreting term substantially limits reasonable petitioners failed allege adequately poor eyesight regarded impairment substantially limits major life activity working allege respondent regards poor vision precluding holding positions global airline pilot see app amended complaint position global airline pilot single job allegation support claim respondent regards petitioners substantially limiting impairment see cfr inability perform single particular job constitute substantial limitation major life activity working indeed number positions utilizing petitioners skills regional pilot pilot instructor name available even eeoc interpretative guidance petitioners ask us defer individual commercial airline pilot minor vision impairment commercial airline pilot courier service substantially limited major life activity working cfr pt app petitioners also argue one assume substantial number airline carriers similar vision requirements substantially limited major life activity working see brief petitioners even assuming sake argument adoption similar vision requirements carriers represent substantial limitation major life activity working argument nevertheless flawed enough say physical criteria single employer imputed similar employers one regarded substantially limited major life activity working result imputation otherwise valid job requirement height requirement become invalid simply limit person employment opportunities substantial way adopted substantial number employers petitioners alleged demonstrate respondent vision requirement reflects belief petitioners vision substantially limits agree decision appeals affirming dismissal petitioners claim regarded disabled reasons decision appeals tenth circuit affirmed ordered karen sutton kimberly hinton petitioners air lines writ certiorari appeals tenth circuit june justice ginsburg concurring agree reach legions people correctable disabilities strongest clues congress perception domain americans disabilities act ada see legislative findings americans one physical mental disabilities individuals disabilities discrete insular minority persons subjected history purposeful unequal treatment relegated position political powerlessness society declarations inconsistent enormously embracing definition disability petitioners urge demonstrates see ante inclusion correctable disabilities within ada domain extend act coverage far million people persons whose uncorrected eyesight poor rely daily medication found every social economic class cluster among politically powerless coalesce historical victims discrimination short sensible way one rank large numbers diverse individuals corrected disabilities discrete insular minority mean suggest constitutional presumptions doctrines may apply discrete insular minorities contexts relevant constitutional dimension case congress use phrase however telling indication intent restrict ada coverage confined historically disadvantaged class karen sutton kimberly hinton petitioners air lines writ certiorari appeals tenth circuit june justice stevens justice breyer joins dissenting enacted americans disabilities act congress certainly intend require air lines hire unsafe unqualified pilots likelihood view every person wears glasses member discrete insular minority indeed reason legislative myopia may foreseen definition disability might theoretically encompass americans perhaps two three times number nevertheless apply customary tools statutory construction quite clear threshold question whether individual disabled within meaning act therefore entitled basic assurances act affords focuses past present physical condition without regard mitigation resulted rehabilitation prosthetic devices medication one might reasonably argue general rule apply impairment merely requires nearsighted person wear glasses believe order faithful remedial purpose act give generous rather miserly construction really two parts question statutory construction presented case first question whether determination disability people congress unquestionably intended cover focus unmitigated mitigated condition correct answer question one provided eight nine federal courts appeals address issue three executive agencies issued regulations interpretive bulletins construing statute namely statute defines disability without regard ameliorative measures still necessary decide whether general rule applied might characterized minor trivial impairment arnold parcel service holding unmitigated state determinative suggesting might reach different result case simple inexpensive remedy eyeglasses available provide total relatively permanent control symptoms see also washington hca health cert pending shall therefore first consider impairments congress surely mind turning special facts case cases statutory construction task interpret words statute light purposes congress sought serve chapman houston welfare rights organization congress expressly provided purpose ada provide clear comprehensive national mandate elimination discrimination individuals disabilities end ada prohibits covered employers discriminat ing qualified individual disability disability regard terms conditions privileges employment emphasis added act definition disability drawn almost verbatim rehabilitation act bragdon abbott ada definition provides term disability means respect individual physical mental impairment substantially limits one major life activities individual record impairment regarded impairment three parts definition identify mutually exclusive discrete categories contrary furnish three overlapping formulas aimed ensuring individuals ever substantially limiting impairment covered act example rather common condition illustrates point many individuals lost one limbs industrial accidents perhaps service country places like iwo jima aid prostheses coupled courageous determination physical therapy many hardy individuals perform major life activities efficiently average couch potato act concerned present ability participate society many individuals physical impairments viewed disabilities similarly statute solely concerned whether individuals viewed disabled whether majority employers regarded unable perform jobs many individuals lack statutory protection discrimination based prostheses sweep statute definition however makes pellucidly clear congress intended act cover persons fact prosthetic device artificial leg restored one ability perform major life activities surely mean subsection definition inapplicable fact individual considers actually cured prospective employer considers generally employable mean subsections inapplicable emphasis present indicative verb form used subsection ante subsection presumably apply focus individual presen potentia hypothetica condition ibid whether person precluded broad range jobs ante subsections presumably apply view employer refuses hire individual prosthesis prosthesis way affects ability job employer unquestionably discriminated individual violation act subsection definition fact sheds revelatory light question whether congress concerned corrected mitigated status person impairment correct disability exists person present actual condition substantially impaired ante reason include protected class disabled fully recovered subsection act definition however plainly covers person previously serious hearing impairment since completely cured see school bd nassau cty arline still correctly understand opinion holds one continues wear hearing aid worn life might covered fully cured impairments covered merely treatable ones text act surely require bizarre result three prongs statute rather plausibly read together inquire whether person currently functionally limited major life activity existence impairment present past substantially limits limit individual amelioration reading avoids counterintuitive conclusion ada safeguards vanish individuals make employable ascertaining ways overcome physical mental limitations extent may doubt concerning meaning statutory text ambiguity easily removed looking legislative history justice rehnquist stated garcia surveying legislative history repeatedly stated authoritative source finding legislature intent lies committee reports bill represen considered collective understanding congressmen involved drafting studying proposed legislation quoting zuber allen committee reports bill became ada make abundantly clear congress intended ada cover individuals perform major life activities help ameliorative measures ada originated senate senate report whether person disability assessed without regard availability mitigating measures reasonable accommodations auxiliary aids report explained discussing regarded prong important goal third prong disability definition ensure persons medical conditions control therefore currently limit major life activities discriminated basis medical conditions example individuals controlled diabetes epilepsy often denied jobs qualified denials result negative attitudes misinformation legislation considered house representatives committees reiterated senate basic understanding act coverage one minor modification clarified correctable controllable disabilities covered first definitional prong well report house committee judiciary discussing first prong determining whether individual impairment substantially limits major life activity impairment assessed without considering whether mitigating measures auxiliary aids reasonable accommodations result limitation pt iii report continues person epilepsy impairment substantially limits major life activity covered test person poor hearing even hearing loss corrected use hearing aid report house committee education labor likewise hether person disability assessed without regard availability mitigating measures reasonable accommodations auxiliary aids pt ii make matters perfectly plain report adds example person hard hearing substantially limited major life activity hearing even though loss may corrected use hearing aid likewise persons impairments epilepsy diabetes substantially limit major life activity covered first prong definition disability even effects impairment controlled medication ibid emphasis added reports indeed replete references understanding act protected class includes individuals various medical conditions ordinarily perfectly correctable medication treatment see citing approval straithe department transportation held individual poor hearing handicapped rehabilitation act even though hearing corrected hearing aid pt iii term disability includes epilepsy heart disease diabetes pt iii listing impairments addition three executive agencies charged implementing act consistently interpreted act mandating presence disability turns individual uncorrected state traditionally accorded respect views agencies played pivotal role setting statutory machinery motion ford motor credit milhollin brackets original internal quotation marks citation omitted least interpretations constitute body experience informed judgment may properly resort additional guidance skidmore swift see also bragdon invoking maxim regard equal employment opportunity commission eeoc interpretation ada eeoc interpretive guidance provides determination whether individual substantially limited major life activity must made case case basis without regard mitigating measures medicines assistive prosthetic devices cfr pt app eeoc explains individual uses artificial legs substantially limited major life activity walking individual unable walk without aid prosthetic devices similarly diabetic without insulin lapse coma substantially limited individual perform major life activities without aid medication ibid department justice reached conclusion regulations provide question whether person disability assessed without regard availability mitigating measures reasonable modification auxiliary aids services cfr pt app department transportation issued regulation adopting definition disability see cfr pt judgment committee reports uniform agency regulations merely confirm message conveyed text act least insofar applies impairments loss limb inability hear condition diabetes substantially limiting without medication act generally protects individuals correctable substantially limiting impairments unjustified employment discrimination basis impairments question whether fact congress specifically concerned protecting class included persons characterized discrete insular minority estimated class include americans means construe term disability exclude individuals impairments congress probably mind ii eeoc maintains order remain allegiant act structure purpose courts always answer question whether individual disability without regard mitigating measures individual takes ameliorate effects impairment brief eeoc amicus curiae nothing poor vision eeoc interprets act justify adopting different rule case ibid narrow reading term disability necessary order avoid danger act might otherwise force hire pilots might endanger lives passengers make good sense use americans finding confine coverage however danger case person disabled within meaning act still prevail claim discrimination unless prove employer took action impairment without reasonable accommodation perform essential functions job commercial airline pilot see even employer may avoid liability shows criteria uncorrected visual acuity least consistent business necessity vision even correctable pose health safety hazard case words whether petitioners genuinely qualified whether perform job airline pilot without posing undue safety risk case raises threshold question whether petitioners members ada protected class simply asks whether ada lets petitioners door way age discrimination employment act every person least years old see title vii civil rights act every single individual work force inside door lies nothing basic protection irrational unjustified discrimination characteristic beyond person control hence particular case core whether assuming petitioners prove qualified airline duty come forward legitimate explanation refusing hire uncorrected eyesight whether ada leaves airline free decline hire petitioners basis even acting purely basis irrational fear stereotype think quite wrong confine coverage act simply interpretation disability adheres congress method defining class intended benefit may also provide protection significantly larger numbers individuals ante estimated act findings long familiar canon statutory construction remedial legislation construed broadly effectuate purposes tcherepnin knight congress sought enacting ada provide comprehensive national mandate discrimination individuals disabilities ada following lead rehabilitation act seeks implement mandate encouraging employers replace reflexive reactions actual perceived handicaps actions based medically sound judgments arline even authorized agency interpret statutory structure pick choose certain correctable impairments congress meant exclude mandate congress surely authorized us faced classes individuals types discrimination fall outside core prohibitions statutes consistently construed statutes include comparable evils within coverage even particular evil issue beyond congress immediate concern passing legislation congress instance focused almost entirely problem discrimination enacted title vii civil rights act see steelworkers weber narrow focus possibly justify construction statute excluded protection later decided ironically enough relying legislative history according great deference eeoc interpretation caucasians see mcdonald santa fe trail transp unanimously applied method interpretation last term respect construing title vii cover claims sexual harassment oncale sundowner offshore services explained holding follows courts observed sexual harassment workplace assuredly principal evil congress concerned enacted title vii statutory prohibitions often go beyond principal evil cover reasonably comparable evils ultimately provisions laws rather principal concerns legislators governed title vii prohibits discriminat ion sex terms conditions employment holding includes sexual harassment must extend sexual harassment kind meets statutory requirements approach applies outside discrimination context well northwestern bell telephone rejected argument racketeer influenced corrupt organization act rico construed cover organized crime congress included findings act preamble emphasizing problem see pub stat surveying rico legislative history concluded even though occasion congress action perceived need combat organized crime congress cogent reasons chose enact general statute one although organized crime focus limited application organized crime approach followed oncale visual impairments judged standard hearing impairments medically controllable condition nature discrimination alleged character treated accordingly indeed seems eminently within purpose policy ada require employers make hiring firing decisions based individuals uncorrected vision clarify example uncorrected vision better valid job requirement long employer explicitly makes decision based impairment condition substantially limiting matters structure act whether impairment widely shared rare seriously misunderstood either way individual impairment covered purpose ada protected irrational stereotypes unjustified disparate treatment basis mean suggest course ada read prohibit discrimination basis say blue eyes deformed fingernails heights less six feet conditions extent even impairments substantially limit individuals condition thus different kind impairment case us eyesight enhanced glasses substantially limiting vision one better eye without treatment significant hindrance two percent population suffers myopia acuity precludes person driving shopping public store viewing computer screen reasonable distance uncorrected vision therefore substantially limiting way unmedicated epilepsy diabetes congress obviously intended include individuals latter impairments act protected class give petitioners protection iii disagree logic ada requires petitioner visual impairment judged correctable conditions instead including petitioners within act umbrella however decides opinion companion expel individuals using measures mitigate impairment ante able overcome substantial limitations regarding major life activities instance holds severe hypertension substantially limiting without medication disability murphy parcel service post perhaps even remarkably indicates directly contrary act legislative history see supra diabetes controlled insulin treatments disability either ante claims rule necessary avoid requiring courts speculate person hypothetical condition preserve act focus making individualized inquiries whether person disabled ante also asserts rejection general rule viewing individuals unmitigated state prevents distorting scope act protected class cover much higher number persons congress estimated findings suspect cowed respondent persistent argument viewing individuals unmitigated state lead tidal wave lawsuits none reasoning however justifies construction act obviously deprive many congress intended beneficiaries legal protection affords agencies approach repeatedly contends create system persons often must treated members group people similar impairments rather individuals contrary letter spirit ada ante mantra regarding act individualized approach however fails support holding agree letter spirit ada designed deter decision making based group stereotypes agencies interpretation act lead result require courts speculate people hypothetical conditions viewing person unmitigated state simply requires examining individual abilities different state abilities every person shares similar condition easy individually test petitioners eyesight glasses glasses ironically approach actually condones treating individuals merely members groups misdirected approach permits employer dismiss hand every person uncorrected eyesight worse without regard specific qualifications individuals extent abilities overcome impairment much way approach seem allow employer refuse hire every person epilepsy diabetes controlled medication every person functions efficiently prosthetic limb reasoning employer apparently refuse hire persons impairments substantially limited even medication see ante exception perverse still since purpose ada dismantle employment barriers based society accumulated myths fears see arline especially ironic deny protection persons substantially limiting impairments corrected render fully able employable insofar assumes majority individuals impairments prosthetic limbs epilepsy still covered approach substantially limited notwithstanding use corrective device ante respectfully disagree empirical matter although course true individuals substantially limited condition congress enacted ada part individuals ordinarily substantially limited mitigated condition rather often victims stereotypic assumptions truly indicative individual ability individuals participate contribute society also suggested treat disabilities impairments may mitigated measures ordinary expedient wearing eyeglasses flood litigation ensue suggestion misguided although vision critical importance airline pilots segments economy whether employee wears glasses uses several mitigating measures matter complete indifference employers difficult envision many situations qualified employee needs glasses perform job might fired statute requires fact see well without proposition ridiculous case hand accounting firm example adopted guideline refusing hire incoming accountant uncorrected vision less token person unable without medication avoid seizures rule seem essence invidious discrimination case quality petitioners uncorrected vision relevant airline regards ability see without glasses employment qualification pilots presumably insist qualification unless sound business justification issue address today regards petitioners unqualified see well without glasses seems eminently fair also use uncorrected vision basis evaluating petitioners life activity seeing agencies approach individuals poor eyesight correctable impairments course able file lawsuits claiming discrimination basis yet individuals already file employment discrimination claims based race sex religion provided least years old age congress never seen reason restrict classes antidiscrimination coverage indeed hard believe providing individuals one antidiscrimination protection make file baseless vexatious lawsuits extent concerned requiring employers answer litigation every employment practice draws distinctions based physical attributes anxiety addressed case one presents issue regarding employers affirmative defenses end left tenacious grip congress finding americans one physical mental disabilities figure legislative history extrapolated law review article authored drafter original ada bill introduced congress ante previously observed statement congressional findings rather thin reed upon base statutory construction national organization women scheidler even noted readily agree agencies approach act extend coverage number people although lofty estimates see ante may inflated appear exclude impairments substantially limiting equally undeniable however million fixed cap act protected class including record regarded categories congress fully expected act protect individuals lack words actual disabilities therefore counted number mining depths history million figure surveying even agency reports predate drafting case controlling legislation fails acknowledge narrow approach may perverse effect denying coverage sizeable portion core group million appears exclude act protected class individuals controllable conditions diabetes severe hypertension expressly understood substantially limiting impairments act committee reports see supra even margin shows studies produced million figure given inability make million figure fit consistent method interpreting word disabled far wiser follow least mention documents reflecting congress contemporaneous understanding term committee reports actual legislation iv occupational hazards characterize many trades farsighted pilot may much trouble seeing instrument panel near sighted pilot identifying safe place land vision appellate judges sometimes subconsciously obscured concern decision legalize issues best left private sphere magnify work judiciary see jackson virginia stevens dissenting although concerns may help explain decision chart course rather follow one well marked congress overwhelming consensus circuit judges executive officials charged responsibility administering ada surely justify crabbed vision territory covered important statute accordingly although express opinion ultimate merits petitioners claim persuaded disability covered ada therefore respectfully dissent karen sutton kimberly hinton petitioners air lines writ certiorari appeals tenth circuit june justice breyer dissenting must draw statutory line either include within category persons authorized bring suit americans disabilities act congress may wanted protect wear ordinary eyeglasses exclude threshold category congress certainly want protect successfully use corrective devices medicines hearing aids prostheses medicine epilepsy faced dilemma statute language structure basic purposes history require us choose former statutory line justice stevens whose opinion join well explains add generous choice threshold led many lawsuits ultimately proved without merit otherwise drew much time attention away congress clearly sought protect remedy equal employment opportunity commission eeoc regulation might draw finer definitional lines excluding wear eyeglasses say certain vision impairments readily find corrective lenses thereby cabining overly broad extension statute majority fears majority questions whether eeoc majority uncertain whether eeoc possesses typical agency authority respect statute definitions see ante majority poses question section statute says eeoc shall issue regulations also says regulations carry subchapter namely employment subchapter section statute contains definition disability precedes subchapter employment subchapter specifically refers emphasis added nonetheless employment subchapter subchapter includes provisions use defined terms example provision forbids discriminat ing qualified individual disability disability eeoc might elaborate regulations meaning disability provision elaboration needed order carry substantive provisions subchapter eeoc regulation elaborated meaning use word disability fall within scope basic definitional provision also substantive provisions later subchapter word disability appears places reason believe congress wanted deny eeoc power issue regulation least regulation consistent earlier statutory definition relevant interpretations enforcement agencies physical location definitional section seems reflect drafting stylistic substantive objectives pick choose among subchapter words eeoc power explain inhibit development law coherently interprets important statute footnotes see bartlett new york state bd law examiners cert pending washington hca health servs texas cert pending baert euclid beverage arnold parcel service matcza frankford candy chocolate doane omaha harris contracting holihan lucky stores sixth circuit decision read expressing doubt majority rule see gilday mecosta county kennedy concurring part dissenting part guy concurring part dissenting part sole holding contrary line authority tenth circuit opinion affirms today house decision cover correctable impairments subsection statute seems retrospect deliberate wise much structure house reports borrowed senate report thus appears house committees consciously decided move discussion mitigating measures adjustment prudent case employer refuses animus fear hire individual condition epilepsy employer knows controlled may difficult determine whether employer viewing individual uncorrected state regards substantially limited one notable exception use method interpretation occurred decision general elec gilbert majority rejected eeoc guideline heavy weight authority federal courts appeals order hold title vii prohibit discrimination basis conditions given fact congress swiftly overruled decision pregnancy discrimination act stat submit views expressed dissenting opinions case opinion brennan opinion stevens followed today roberts binocular visual acuity adults national center health statistics series department health welfare much reason concern agencies approach lead anomalous result courts ignore negative side effects suffered individual resulting use mitigating measures ante misplaced seems safe assume individuals take medication substantially limits major life activity substantially limited way take medication examples psychosis parkinson disease epilepsy certainly support presumption extent certain people may substantially limited taking mitigating measures might fairly said contagiousness symptomatic disability individual contagiousness physical impairment may result underlying condition school bd nassau cty arline side effects symptomatic disability side effects physical impairment may flow underlying condition see national council disability toward independence hypertension dept commerce bureau census disability functional limitation health insurance coverage hypertension diabetes national institute disability rehabilitation research data disability national health interview survey epilepsy diabetes hypertension dept commerce bureau census statistical abstract tables diabetes hypertension mathematica policy research digest data persons disabilities hypertension diabetes