ADA Policy Brief Series #9: Chevron v. Echazabal

February 27, 2003

SCOPE AND PURPOSE:

This paper looks at the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Chevron v. Echazabal and is divided into several parts. Part II provides a case synopsis. Part III sets out the legal disposition of the Chevron case: the facts, U.S. Supreme Court ruling, and issues on remand to the Ninth Circuit. Part IV examines the implications of the Supreme Court’s Chevron decision for ADA law and disability policy and makes recommendations to align the definition of “direct threat” with Congressional intent. The paper concludes with a post-script describing the practical effects of the Chevron decision on Mario Echazabal and its ramifications for other individuals with disabilities.