NOV 12 1997

The Honorable John Glenn
United States Senator
200 North High Street
Suite 600
Columbus, Ohio  43215

Dear Senator Glenn:

     I am responding to your letter on behalf of your
constituent, Mr. XXX         who asked you to determine if a
person who has had his colon removed is considered an individual
with a disability for the purposes of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA).  We apologize for the delay in
responding.

     The ADA does not identify specific diseases or conditions as
disabilities because it would not be possible to guarantee
comprehensiveness by providing a list of specific disabilities.
The ADA provides that an individual will be considered an
individual with a disability for the purpose of ADA coverage if
he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially
limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an
impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.  This
definition of "disability" is consistent with the definitions
used in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and in the Fair Housing
Act of 1988.

     The Department of Justice regulations implementing the ADA
provide a broad definition of the term "physical or mental
impairment."  Physical impairments include, among other things,
any physiological disorder or condition that affects the
digestive system.  Therefore, the conditions described in
Mr. XXX      letter are potentially covered by the ADA if, in
fact, they substantially limit one or more life activities of an
affected individual.

cc:  RECORDS; CHRONO; WODATCH; BLIZARD; MCDOWNEY; FOIA
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     I hope that this information is helpful to you in responding
to your constituent.

                              Sincerely,

                         Isabelle Katz Pinzler
                    Acting Assistant Attorney General
                         Civil Rights Division