Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008
Enacted 2008
Broadened the definition of disability under the ADA, overturning restrictive Supreme Court interpretations and making it easier for individuals to establish disability coverage.
Key Metrics
Additional Workers Covered
20M
EEOC Estimates
Accommodation Requests Increase
+35%
JAN Network Data
Avg. Accommodation Cost
$500 or less (58%)
JAN Network
EEOC Charge Share
37%
EEOC Charge Statistics
Economic Impact
The ADAAA expanded ADA coverage to an estimated additional 20 million workers. Employer accommodation requests increased 35% following the amendments. The average cost of a reasonable accommodation remains $500 or less in 58% of cases. Disability discrimination charges at the EEOC increased initially before stabilizing as employers adapted to broader coverage.
Social Impact
The ADAAA reversed four Supreme Court decisions that had narrowed the definition of disability. Coverage now explicitly includes episodic conditions and those in remission. The amendments strengthened the interactive accommodation process, improving workplace participation for people with chronic conditions. The broader definition aligned U.S. law more closely with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Enforcement Statistics
ADA/ADAAA charges constitute approximately 37% of all EEOC filings. Courts have seen a shift in outcomes, with employees prevailing more frequently on coverage questions. The EEOC has issued updated guidance reflecting the broader disability definition. Federal agencies have reported significant increases in disability hiring under Schedule A.
Key Findings
- 1.Reversed four Supreme Court decisions that had narrowed disability protections
- 2.58% of reasonable accommodations cost $500 or less to implement
- 3.Accommodation requests increased 35% as more conditions qualified for coverage
- 4.Employee success rates in ADA litigation improved significantly after the amendments