2 sisters had severe myopic vision of 20/200 and worse without corrective measures. With proper vision correction, their vision is as good as individuals without a vision impairment. They applied to be respondents with United Airlines but were rejected from the position because the minimum uncorrected vision requirement for respondents is 20/100 or better for United Airlines. The sisters filed a suit under the ADA for disability discrimination.

Michigan State University

This case decided the question if corrective and mitigating measures should be considered when determining whether an individual is disabled under the ADA.

Sutton V. United Airlines(1999)

Sutton V. United Airlines, 537 U.S. 471 (1999)

The Background of Sutton V. United Airlines

In a 7-2 conclusion, the court sided with United Airlines in that determining a disability under the ADA must be made in reference to any mitigation or corrective measures the individual uses. The implication of this is that if a disability is corrected by a medication or an assistive device, ADA protections no longer apply to that individual unless the condition still substantially limits the person's life.

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