Is Diabetes Considered a Disability: BG & Accommodations

The law defines a “disability” not by visible impairment but by whether a condition substantially limits a major life activity (e.g. endocrine functioning, eating, working). So, ‘Is Diabetes Considered a Disability?’, here is a bit of explanation to this question – diabetes is considered an impairment of the endocrine system, one of the body’s major bodily functions.
Even when managed well, diabetes imposes burdens such as monitoring, hypoglycemia, treatment side effects, risk of complications, and more. The ADA (post-2008) broadened the definition so that mitigating measures (like insulin, pumps) aren’t always allowed to “undo” the impairment in legal analysis.

So yes — diabetes can be a disability in legal terms, even if you do daily tasks like a non-diabetic does.

Key Differences Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

The following key differences may help you in differentiating type 1 and type 2 diabetes:

• Pathophysiology: In Type 1, it’s driven by an autoimmune attack that destroys the insulin-producing β-cells in the pancreas, leading to little or no insulin production. Type 2 involves insulin resistance (where cells don’t respond well to insulin) and/or a gradual decline in insulin secretion over time.
• Age of Onset: Type 1 typically strikes in childhood or young adulthood, though it can happen later in life. Type 2 can develop at any age but is most common in middle-aged or older adults.
• Insulin Dependence: People with Type 1 always need insulin therapy from the start. For Type 2, treatment often begins with oral medications and lifestyle changes like taking breakfast with low glycemic index foods or more.
• Risk of Complications: Both types carry long-term risks like neuropathy (nerve damage), retinopathy (eye issues), and nephropathy (kidney problems). However, Type 1 often involves higher risks of severe complications due to its abrupt onset and total insulin loss, while Type 2 tends to have somewhat lesser severity, especially with early management.
• Hyperglycemia or Hypoglycemia: Blood sugar in Type 1 can be more unstable, with a greater chance of severe highs (hyperglycemia) or lows (hypoglycemia). In Type 2, changes are usually more gradual, but lows can occur with certain meds or insulin, and highs often stem from missed doses, carb-heavy meals, extreme stress, or other triggers.

Because both diabetes types trouble the endocrine/pancreatic system, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are recognized under disability/anti-discrimination laws.

Diabetes Benefits Under SSI and SSDI

ADA states that diabetics, both type 1 and type 2, may be eligible for getting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), only under serious diabetic conditions.

• Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), diabetes is considered a disability for both type 1 and type 2 — people with either type are protected from discrimination.
• Diabetics have protections and rights at school, workplace, and public places as well.
• ADA restricts when employers can ask about your medical condition (before offer, etc.)

If covered;

At Workplace: Employers must provide reasonable accommodations (unless undue burden). For example, breaks to test blood sugar, access to food/fluids, adjusting schedule for medical appointments.

At Schools: Trained staff should be available (even during trips and any other school-organised activities) for monitoring blood sugar and administering insulin or other medications. While the self-trained students be allowed to treat their diabetes at all times and at any place.

In Public Places: According to the Transportation Security Administration, travelers are allowed to carry their diabetic supplies with them, however, they should clearly declare these items as their diabetes related supplies, e.g., strips, equipment such as; continuous glucose monitoring sensors (CGMs) or blood glucose monitors (BGMs), and even liquids are allowed to be carried.

Benefits and Protections for Diabetics Under ADA

The following are some of the accommodations and benefits for people living with diabetes:

1. Reasonable workplace accommodations

• Space/time for glucose monitoring, insulin injections, meals/snacks
• Flexibility for medical appointments or treatment
• Adjusted break schedules or job duties
• Leave as an accommodation when needed

2. Protection from discrimination

• Cannot be refused job or promotion simply because of your diabetes
• Must be treated as a “qualified individual with a disability”

3. Social Security Disability / SSI / SSDI

• Disability benefits are monetary, not just anti-discrimination.
• Diabetes must reach severity threshold.

4. State / private disability insurance

• Some employer or private plans may provide short-term or long-term disability benefits if you meet plan criteria; these differ from ADA or Social Security.

Still pricking fingers to check your glucose?

CGMs like Freestyle Libre 2 Plus sensors are making it easy for users to monitor their glucose 24/7 without the need of multiple pricks, and the best part, these CGMs are compatible with automatic insulin delivery (AID) systems as well.

Order yours today from CGM Monitors by claiming your insurance or by simply using your credit/debit card, and receive your supplies without any delivery costs (within the USA) at your door.

How Social Security Administration Evaluates diabetes for disability benefits

1. SSA uses SSR 14-2p and the Blue Book Endocrine Listings (Section 9.00) as guidance.
2. There is no automatic grant just for having diabetes — SSA looks at severity, complications, evidence of impairment, and ability to work.
3. SSA considers specific complications (if present) from diabetes, such as:

• Neuropathy (nerve damage)
• Retinopathy/vision loss
• Kidney disease
• Cardiovascular disease
• Skin ulcers or infections that don’t heal
• Amputations
• Frequent hospitalizations
• Hypoglycemia disabling episodes
• Other coexisting conditions (obesity, hypertension etc.)

These complications can push your condition past “severe” threshold.

Do You need to disclose your condition?

• Under ADA, you do not have to disclose your diabetes at the interview stage (before a job offer). Employer may not ask about it.
• After you have the job (or a conditional offer), disclosure may be needed to request accommodations.
• Disclosure is often strategic: you can reveal in writing when asking for accommodation.
• Employers must keep medical information confidential.
• If you never ask for accommodations, the employer may not even know.

Conclusion

Substantially limiting your endocrine and attacking pancreatic system, diabetes is a disability. However, on one side, this disability does not restrict you from living a normal lifestyle, including driving, sports, even contact sports, and more. And on the other side, anti-discrimination laws do apply to people with diabetes (depending on the conditions), allowing them to easily treat their condition on their job, while at school, and even on public spots like airport (more info on carrying supplies on airports has been explained above).

Frequently Asked Questions