The Honorable Charles S. Robb
United States Senator
The Ironfronts, Suite 310
1011 East Main Street
Richmond, Virginia  23219

Dear Senator Robb:

     I am responding to your letter on behalf of your
constituent, XXX                who asked you to determine if a
person who has Rosacea is considered an individual with a
disability for the purposes of the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 (ADA).  Please excuse our 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
Amendments 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, cosmetic disfigurement,
or anatomical loss affecting one or more body systems, including
conditions that affect the skin.  Therefore, Rosacea is a
condition that is potentially covered by the ADA if, in fact, it
substantially limits one or more major life activities of an
affected individual.

cc:  Records, Chrono, Wodatch, McDowney, Blizard, FOIA
blizard\myfiles\drsltrs\robb-1.wpd\sc. YOUNG-PARRAN

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     I hope that this information is helpful to you in responding
to your constituent.  As you requested, I am providing a
duplicate copy of this response and I am returning the enclosure
to your letter.

                              Sincerely,

                         Isabelle Katz Pinzler
                    Acting Assistant Attorney General
                         Civil Rights Division

Enclosures