Glossary

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Distraction Blocker(also: Focus app, Website blocker, Digital self-control tool)

A category of digital well-being software designed to restrict access to distracting applications, websites, or notifications so that users can sustain focus on work or study. Distraction blockers range from operating-system features such as Apple Screen Time and Android Focus…

Distraction Control(also: Distraction Filtering, Focus Mode)

Features or tools that help users suppress distracting content on web pages to maintain focus on their primary task. Distraction control ranges from manual tools (like Apple's Distraction Control in Safari, which lets users select elements to hide) to automated systems that use…

Distraction Management(also: Distraction Reduction, Attention Support)

Strategies, tools, and design approaches that help users minimize unwanted interruptions and maintain focus on their intended tasks, particularly in digital environments. For people with ADHD, distraction management is a core accessibility need because the condition affects the…

Distraction Reduction(also: Distraction Removal, Distraction Minimization)

Design strategies and technologies that minimize or eliminate elements that divert attention from primary content or tasks. In video accessibility for ADHD, distraction reduction involves identifying and removing or de-emphasizing visual elements (overlays, busy backgrounds,…

Distributed Accountability

A collaborative support strategy where responsibility for remembering tasks, meeting deadlines, and maintaining organizational systems is shared across a network of people rather than resting solely on the individual. For ADHD students, distributed accountability manifests…

Distributed Cognition(also: DCog)

A theoretical framework developed by Edwin Hutchins that views cognitive processes as distributed across individuals, artifacts, and the environment rather than confined to a single mind. In accessibility contexts, distributed cognition helps explain how people — particularly…

Doom Scrolling(also: Doomscrolling)

The tendency to continuously scroll through social media or news feeds despite the content being distressing or unproductive, often losing significant amounts of time in the process. Doom scrolling is particularly problematic for people with ADHD due to the dopamine-seeking…

Dopamine Hunger(also: Dopamine Seeking, Dopamine Starvation)

A colloquial ADHD-community term describing the drive to seek stimulating activities to compensate for differences in dopamine regulation characteristic of ADHD brains. It manifests as impulsivity, novelty seeking, and patterns such as repeated social-media checking, doom…

Down Syndrome(also: Trisomy 21)

A genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21, resulting in intellectual disability and characteristic physical features. People with Down syndrome typically experience challenges with reading, language development, and working memory, though…

Down Syndrome(also: Trisomy 21)

A genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21, resulting in varying degrees of intellectual and developmental differences. People with Down Syndrome may experience challenges with memory, attention, language processing, and fine motor skills that…

Dyscalculia(also: Math Learning Disability, Number Blindness, Mathematics Disorder)

A specific learning disorder that affects the ability to acquire, understand, and manipulate numerical and mathematical concepts. People with dyscalculia may have difficulty with number sense, memorizing arithmetic facts, performing calculations, and understanding mathematical…

Dysgraphia(also: Disorder of written expression, Specific learning disorder in written expression)

A neurological learning disability that affects written expression, including handwriting legibility, spelling accuracy, and the ability to organize thoughts in writing. Dysgraphia can make text entry and written composition cognitively exhausting, creating significant barriers…

Dyslexia

A specific learning disability that primarily affects reading, writing, and spelling skills. Dyslexia is neurological in origin and is characterized by difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition, poor spelling, and decoding abilities. It is not related to…

Dyslexia(also: Reading Disability, Developmental Dyslexia)

A neurologically-based learning disability that primarily affects the acquisition and processing of written language, manifesting as difficulties with reading, writing, spelling, and phonological processing. Dyslexia varies in severity and is estimated to affect 10-17% of the…

Dyslexia Screening(also: Dyslexia Assessment, Reading Disability Screening)

The process of identifying individuals who may be at risk for dyslexia, typically through standardized tests that assess reading fluency, phonological awareness, rapid naming, and other cognitive indicators associated with the condition. Traditional screening requires trained…

Dysregulation(also: Emotional Dysregulation, Sensory Dysregulation)

Dysregulation is a state in which a person's emotional, sensory, or physiological response exceeds what they can manage given the current context - typically manifesting as distress, overwhelm, shutdown, or outburst. It is common in autism, ADHD, noise sensitivity, PTSD, and a…

Ear-EEG(also: Around-the-Ear EEG, cEEGrid)

Ear-EEG refers to electroencephalography (EEG) recorded using electrodes placed in and around the ear canal rather than on the scalp. Consumer-grade ear-EEG devices such as cEEGrid sensors are unobtrusive, easy to wear without hair preparation, and suitable for everyday…

Early-Onset Dementia(also: Young-Onset Dementia, Working-Age Dementia)

Dementia diagnosed before the age of 65, affecting individuals who are often still in the workforce and digitally active. Early-onset dementia presents unique accessibility challenges because affected individuals typically have established digital literacy and strong…

Earmarking(also: Money Earmarking)

A financial-management practice, studied by sociologist Viviana Zelizer, in which people mentally or materially separate money into distinct categories tied to specific purposes (rent, groceries, savings goal, treats). Earmarking can take physical form — separate envelopes,…

Easy Language(also: Easy-to-Read, Leichte Sprache, Easy Read)

A simplified form of written language designed to make information accessible to people with reading difficulties, including those with intellectual disabilities, prelingual hearing impairments, learning disabilities, low literacy, or limited proficiency in the language. Easy…

Easy Read(also: Easy-to-Read, Easy Language, Plain Language for Cognitive Accessibility)

A method of presenting written information in a way that is accessible to people with intellectual disabilities, learning difficulties, or low literacy. Easy Read uses short sentences, common everyday vocabulary, active voice, and clear structure, often accompanied by images or…

Email Anxiety(also: Inbox Anxiety)

Intense anxiety, dread, or avoidance behavior around checking, opening, and responding to emails, commonly experienced by people with ADHD. Email anxiety can involve physical symptoms like racing heart and nausea, fear of receiving negative feedback or reminders of missed…

Emotional Dysregulation(also: Emotion Dysregulation, Emotional Impulsivity, Affective Dysregulation)

Difficulty managing emotional responses, characterized by rapid, intense, and often disproportionate reactions to stimuli with limited reflection or regulation. Emotional dysregulation is a core yet frequently overlooked feature of adult ADHD, not included in DSM-5 diagnostic…

Emotional Regulation(also: Emotion Regulation, Affect Regulation)

The ability to manage, modify, and respond to emotional experiences in ways that are situationally appropriate and aligned with one's goals. Emotional regulation is a significant challenge for people with ADHD, who may experience heightened emotional reactivity, difficulty…

Energy Conservation(also: Energy management)

Energy conservation refers to a set of self-management strategies designed to help people with chronic conditions, fatigue-related disabilities, or fluctuating energy levels maintain function and independence by using their available energy efficiently. Core techniques include…

Entity Density(also: Entity-Density Features)

A discourse-level readability feature measuring how many distinct entities — named entities (people, places, organisations) and general nouns — a text introduces per sentence or document. High entity density increases working-memory load on readers because each new entity must…

Epilepsy(also: Seizure Disorder)

A chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy affects roughly 1% of the population globally and spans a wide range of seizure types and severities, with some people experiencing…

Episodic Memory(also: Autobiographical Memory, Personal Experience Memory)

The memory of specific personal experiences and events, including details about what happened, where and when it occurred, and the emotions associated with it. Episodic memory allows people to mentally "travel back in time" to re-experience past events from a first-person…

Episodic Productivity(also: Nonlinear Productivity, Burst Productivity)

A work pattern characterized by fluctuating cycles of high and low engagement rather than consistent, steady output. Common among people with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions, episodic productivity involves periods of intense focus and high output alternating with…

Error Tolerance(also: Error Prevention, Forgiveness)

A design principle requiring that systems anticipate, prevent, and gracefully handle user errors. In accessible design, error tolerance means providing clear validation messages, allowing users to undo actions, confirming destructive operations, and ensuring that mistakes do not…

Errorless Learning(also: Errorless Teaching, Error-Free Learning)

Errorless learning is a teaching methodology that structures tasks so that learners are guided toward correct responses and prevented from making mistakes during the learning process. In accessible technology design, this translates to systems that do not allow incorrect actions…

Evocation(also: Word Association Strength, Semantic Evocation)

A measure of how strongly one word brings another word to mind, reflecting the associative connections between concepts in human semantic memory. Unlike formal semantic relationships such as synonymy or hyponymy, evocation captures the informal, often idiosyncratic associations…

Executive Dysfunction(also: Executive Function Deficit, EF Impairment)

A disruption in the efficiency of executive functions that affects a person's ability to plan, organize, initiate tasks, manage time, make decisions, and regulate behavior. Executive dysfunction is a core feature of ADHD and is also associated with autism, depression, traumatic…

Executive Function(also: EF, Executive Functioning)

A set of higher-order cognitive processes that enable planning, organizing, initiating tasks, sustaining attention, managing time, regulating emotions, and adapting to new situations. Executive functions are critical for goal-directed behavior and are commonly impaired in…

Executive Function(also: Executive Functioning, Cognitive Control, Executive Control)

A set of cognitive processes that enable goal-directed behavior, including planning, working memory, attention, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. Executive functions allow individuals to organize, initiate, and monitor tasks in daily living. In accessibility…

Executive function(also: Executive functioning, Cognitive control)

A set of higher-order cognitive processes that enable goal-directed behaviour, including planning, working memory, attention control, task switching, inhibition of inappropriate responses, and flexible thinking. Executive function difficulties are common in TBI, ADHD, autism,…

External Memory

Information held outside the brain — in notes, calendars, photographs, voice recordings, alarms, labelled objects, or digital systems — that a person draws on to remember names, dates, tasks, procedures, or autobiographical content. External memory is a core accessibility…

Extraneous Cognitive Load(also: Extraneous Load)

One of three types of cognitive load identified by cognitive load theory, referring to the unnecessary mental effort caused by poor instructional design or interface presentation rather than the learning material itself. Extraneous load arises from confusing layouts, irrelevant…

Eye-Hand Coordination(also: Hand-Eye Coordination, Visuomotor Coordination, Oculomotor Coordination)

The ability to coordinate visual input with hand movements to perform tasks requiring precision, such as reaching for objects, writing, typing, or using tools. Eye-hand coordination involves the integration of visual perception, spatial awareness, and motor control. Deficits in…

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder(also: FASD, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, FAS)

A group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy. Effects can include physical, behavioral, and learning problems, with a wide range of severity. FASD is relevant to digital accessibility because individuals may experience cognitive…

Fibromyalgia(also: FM, Fibromyalgia syndrome)

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties often called "fibro fog." It affects approximately 2-4% of the population, predominantly women, and is considered an invisible disability…

Financial Literacy

The knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about money — including understanding income, expenses, saving, debt, interest, credit, taxes, insurance, and benefits programs. For accessibility, financial literacy intersects with numeracy, reading accessibility, and…

Fixation Duration(also: Fixation Time, Gaze Duration)

The length of time the eye remains relatively still on a specific point in a visual display during reading or visual processing. In eye-tracking research, fixation duration is a key metric for measuring cognitive processing load and readability — shorter fixations are associated…

Fixation Problem(also: Reading Fixation Difficulty, Visual Fixation Issue)

A difficulty in maintaining stable visual focus on a specific point or line of text during reading. People with fixation problems may lose their place frequently, skip lines, or re-read the same passage unintentionally. This is a common challenge for dyslexic readers and can be…

Flat Affect(also: Blunted Affect, Reduced Expressiveness)

Flat affect refers to a significant reduction in the outward expression of emotions, where a person shows little or no visible emotional response through facial expressions, voice tone, or body language. In the context of accessibility and neurodiversity, flat affect is commonly…

Flesch Reading Ease(also: Flesch Readability Score, Flesch Score, FRE)

A readability formula developed by Rudolf Flesch in 1948 that rates text on a 100-point scale based on average sentence length and average number of syllables per word. Higher scores indicate easier-to-read text: scores of 60-70 are considered suitable for a general audience,…

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level(also: Flesch-Kincaid, FKGL, Flesch-Kincaid readability)

A readability formula that estimates the U.S. school grade level required to comfortably read a given English text, based on average sentence length and average syllables per word. Developed for the U.S. Navy in 1975 by Rudolf Flesch and J. Peter Kincaid, the formula is widely…

Fluid intelligence(also: Fluid reasoning, Gf)

The cognitive ability to reason, solve novel problems, and identify patterns without relying on previously acquired knowledge or skills. Fluid intelligence typically declines with age and is commonly measured through tasks involving pattern recognition, inductive reasoning, and…

Formulaic Language(also: Formulaic Speech, Routine Language)

Pre-established, conventionalised phrases and expressions that occur predictably in specific social or transactional contexts, such as greetings, service transactions, or ceremonial speech. In accessibility and communication technology, the formulaic nature of certain…

Functional Cognitive Disability(also: Functional Cognitive Limitation)

An approach to categorizing cognitive disabilities based on the functional limitations they produce rather than clinical diagnoses. Categories typically include difficulties with memory, problem-solving, attention, reading and verbal comprehension, math comprehension, and visual…