October Term 2001 · Docket 00-1089
Does a single job limitation define disability under the ADA?
Toyota seeks to limit disability claims to major life activities beyond one job.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Roberts argued the Sixth Circuit used the wrong test.
Mr. Rosenbaum argued the case is not about one job.
Ms. Mcdowell agreed the lower court applied an incorrect test.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 25-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 17-21
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Toyota argues the Sixth Circuit used the wrong test for manual tasks. Williams argues the case involves more than one job. The Court must define the scope of disability.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 25-45
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 7, 2001.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 17-21
What each side wants
Toyota wants the Court to reject the lower court's test for manual tasks.
Williams wants the Court to confirm her disability claim stands.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 25-45
What each side says
Toyota argues the lower court applied an incorrect legal standard.
Williams argues the case is not about a single job.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 25-45
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if the Court should address working as a major life activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 17-21
Why it matters
This case defines who qualifies for disability protections. It sets the standard for manual task limitations. It affects workers with repetitive strain injuries.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 25-45
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 51, lines 17-21 — Transcript, file page 51, lines 17-21
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 25-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 18, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 18, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 27, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-33 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 19-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 25-45 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 25-45
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.