United Airlines required its pilots to have uncorrected vision of at least 20/100. It refused to hire twin sisters with 20/200 vision, even though their vision could be corrected to 20/20. The sisters sued under the ADA, claiming that United Airlines was discriminating against them because of a disability.

The Supreme Court held that the ADA did not apply because the sisters were not disabled. Although they could not satisfy the requirements of a particular job, airline pilot, they were not substantially lim­ited in a major life activity–namely, working. There were many other jobs they could hold, such as flying instructor.

Questions:

1. What is a disabled person?

2. The twin sisters had 20/200 vision. Were they disabled?

3. Could you argue that they were not disabled?

4. But didn’t their impairment prevent them from getting the job they wanted?

5. How many Americans currently have some disability as defined by the ADA?

6. How many people have correctable disabilities?