Which law is associated with expanding coverage by noting that assistive devices should not be used to determine impairment levels?

Which law is associated with expanding coverage by noting that assistive devices should not be used to determine impairment levels?

• A. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• B. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
• C. Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act
• D. Americans with Disabilities Act

Answer: (C)

Expanding who is protected rests on interpreting disability more broadly and not letting assistive devices change whether someone is considered impaired. The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act broadens the definition of disability by stating that the mitigating effects of devices and other aids should not be used to determine whether an individual has a disability. This means a person who relies on a hearing aid, wheelchair, or similar device is protected even if the device improves functioning, because disability status is evaluated without counting those aids. In contrast, IDEA focuses on educational rights for students with disabilities, Section 504 prohibits discrimination in federally funded programs, and the original ADA established protections but did not broaden the disability definition to the same extent. So the law that expands coverage by noting that assistive devices should not be used to determine impairment levels is the ADA Amendments Act.

Expanding who is protected rests on interpreting disability more broadly and not letting assistive devices change whether someone is considered impaired. The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act broadens the definition of disability by stating that the mitigating effects of devices and other aids should not be used to determine whether an individual has a disability. This means a person who relies on a hearing aid, wheelchair, or similar device is protected even if the device improves functioning, because disability status is evaluated without counting those aids. In contrast, IDEA focuses on educational rights for students with disabilities, Section 504 prohibits discrimination in federally funded programs, and the original ADA established protections but did not broaden the disability definition to the same extent. So the law that expands coverage by noting that assistive devices should not be used to determine impairment levels is the ADA Amendments Act.