High court narrows ADA protection. (ADA).(rules Toyota worker not protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act)(Brief Article)

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a Toyota assembly-line worker who sued the automaker is not protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Hailed by business groups as a victory for employers, the unanimous decision essentially narrows the definition of "disabled" under the law by excluding people whose health conditions don't seriously impede a major life activity, such as walking, seeing, dressing, and bathing.

The employee in the case, Ella Williams, sued Toyota in 1999 when it refused her request for a job reassignment to relieve the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome and to prevent further injury. Williams argued that she couldn't perform …