Under the ADA, how is a 'qualified individual with a disability' defined?

• A. Is currently employed and has a permanent disability
• B. Meets skill, experience, mental and physical capabilities to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations
• C. Has no prior work experience but can be trained quickly
• D. Has a disability but cannot perform essential functions even with accommodations

Answer: (B)

The key concept is that a qualified individual with a disability is someone who can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations. This means two things: you look at the core duties of the position (the essential functions) and you consider whether adjustments or modifications can enable the person to perform those duties without causing undue hardship to the employer.

Reason this is best: the definition centers on actual ability to perform the job’s essential tasks, not on disability status alone, employment history, or training potential alone. If someone can meet the essential functions with reasonable accommodations, they’re qualified. If they cannot perform those functions even with accommodations, they aren’t considered qualified.

Other scenarios don’t fit because they either ignore the essential- functions requirement (for example, having a disability or being currently employed) or assume accommodation won’t help, which would still leave the person unable to perform the job’s core duties.