Supreme Court narrows sweep of Americans with Disabilites Act.

• Position: On First Reading - Brief Article

In a decision that could affect millions of Americans, the U.S. Supreme Court in January further narrowed the scope of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The ruling, penned by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and supported unanimously by the other justices, states a person must have limitations "central to daily life," and not just the workplace, to qualify for ADA protection.

The case considered by the Court involved a Toyota employee who suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome. O'Connor said that the repetitive assembly line work on the job that exacerbated the condition was not "an important part of most people's daily lives." And how the condition affected the factors of daily living needed to be taken into consideration to declare the woman disabled under the ADA.

The woman, Ella Williams, testified she needed help dressing, but despite her condition could still take care of personal hygiene, some housework and gardening.

"Household chores, bathing and brushing...