What is considered a disability under the ACAA?

Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), a disability is defined specifically as a physical or mental impairment that significantly limits one or more major life activities. This definition aligns with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards, which the ACAA refers to for eligibility and rights related to air travel.

Major life activities can include a broad range of functions, such as walking, seeing, hearing, and interacting with others. The key element is that the impairment must limit these activities in a substantial way. This focus ensures that individuals who genuinely face challenges due to disabilities receive the necessary accommodations when traveling by air.

The other options presented do not meet the ACAA's criteria for what constitutes a disability. A temporary injury may not necessarily limit major life activities to the extent required by the Act, financial hardship is not related to physical or mental impairments, and a chronic illness without physical symptoms may not be recognized as a disability under the ACAA unless it significantly limits major life activities. Hence, the clear and correct understanding of disability under the ACAA is encompassed by physical or mental impairments that impact major life activities.