Glossary

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Amblyopia(also: Lazy eye)

A neurodevelopmental vision disorder in which one eye has reduced visual acuity that cannot be fully corrected with glasses or contact lenses, caused by abnormal visual development in early childhood. The brain favors one eye and partially suppresses input from the weaker eye,…

Anxiety(also: Anxiety Disorder)

An emotional and physiological state characterised by apprehension about future threats, accompanied by heightened autonomic arousal (elevated heart rate, muscle tension, shallow breathing), attentional bias toward danger cues, and often avoidance behaviour. Clinical anxiety…

Applied behavior analysis(also: ABA, Behavior modification, Lovaas method)

A therapeutic approach based on the science of learning and behavior, widely used in interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder. ABA uses systematic reinforcement — rewarding desired behaviors with objects, food, praise, or other motivators — to teach new skills…

Automated speech scoring(also: Computer-aided speech assessment, Automatic speech evaluation)

The use of computational techniques — including voice activity detection, phoneme recognition, prosody analysis, and speaker diarization — to automatically evaluate the accuracy and quality of speech production without requiring real-time human assessment. In speech therapy…

Blood Oxygen Saturation(also: O2sat, SpO2, Oxygen Saturation)

The percentage of hemoglobin in the blood that is bound to oxygen, typically measured non-invasively using a pulse oximeter. Normal blood oxygen saturation is generally 95-100%, and levels below 88-90% are considered clinically concerning and may indicate hypoxemia (dangerously…

COM-B Model(also: COM-B, Capability Opportunity Motivation Behaviour Model)

A behaviour-change framework proposed by Michie, van Stralen, and West (2011) that identifies three necessary conditions for behaviour to occur: Capability (physical and psychological ability, including skills and knowledge), Opportunity (physical and social environment that…

Caregiving(also: Carer, Caregiver, Care Partner)

The unpaid or paid work of supporting another person with daily living, health management, social participation, or emotional needs, often in the context of disability, chronic illness, or ageing. In accessibility research, caregiving is usually treated as an interdependent…

Chronic Condition(also: Chronic Health Condition, Long-Term Condition)

A health condition that persists over time, typically lasting a year or more and requiring ongoing medical attention or limiting activities of daily living. Chronic conditions include both chronic illnesses (such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis) and other lasting health states…

Chronic Illness(also: Chronic Condition, Long-Term Illness)

Health conditions that persist for an extended period, typically more than three months, and may require ongoing management but do not necessarily have a cure. Examples include diabetes, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and chronic fatigue syndrome. People with chronic…

Convergence Insufficiency(also: CI)

A binocular vision disorder in which the eyes have difficulty turning inward (converging) to focus on nearby objects, causing symptoms such as double vision, eye strain, headaches, difficulty reading, and blurred vision during close work. Convergence insufficiency affects an…

Cybersickness(also: VR Sickness, Simulator Sickness, Virtual Reality Motion Sickness)

A form of motion sickness experienced during virtual reality use, characterized by symptoms including nausea, disorientation, dizziness, eye strain, and general discomfort. Cybersickness occurs due to sensory conflicts between what the visual system perceives (movement in the…

Developmental screening(also: Early developmental screening, Autism screening)

A brief, standardized assessment process used to identify infants and young children who may be at risk for developmental delays or disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder. Common screening instruments include the Checklist of Autism in Toddlers (CHAT), the Screening…

Diagnostic Bias(also: Assessment Bias)

Systematic errors in the diagnostic process that lead to certain groups being more or less likely to receive a particular diagnosis based on characteristics unrelated to the condition itself, such as gender, race, age, or socioeconomic status. In ADHD, diagnostic bias has…

Diaphragmatic Breathing(also: Belly Breathing, Abdominal Breathing)

A breathing technique that emphasises movement of the abdominal wall and diaphragm during inspiration rather than the accessory muscles of the neck and shoulders. By engaging the diaphragm more fully, diaphragmatic breathing increases tidal volume, decreases respiratory…

Disclaimer(also: Content Disclaimer, Health Disclaimer)

A statement accompanying content that clarifies its limitations, purpose, or the credentials of its creator. In health and disability content on social media, disclaimers typically indicate that content is not medical advice, reflects personal experience only, or should not…

Early intervention(also: Early childhood intervention, EI)

A system of services and supports provided to infants and young children with developmental delays or disabilities, typically from birth to age three, and their families. Early intervention can include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and behavioral…

Emotional regulation(also: Emotion regulation, Affect regulation, Self-regulation)

The ability to monitor, evaluate, and modify emotional responses to meet situational demands and personal goals. Emotional regulation is often challenging for people with ADHD, autism, anxiety, and other neurodivergent or mental health conditions. Assistive strategies and…

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,…

Exergame(also: Exercise game, Active video game, Fitness game)

A video game that requires physical movement or exercise as the primary interaction mechanism, combining gameplay elements like scoring, levels, and achievements with physical activity. Accessible exergames for people with disabilities use alternative feedback modalities — such…

Flare(also: Symptom Flare, Flare-Up)

A temporary but often significant worsening of symptoms associated with a chronic illness, which can last from hours to weeks. Flares can be triggered by environmental factors (heat, pollen, weather changes), physical exertion, stress, illness, or unpredictable internal…

Gait(also: Walking Pattern, Locomotion Pattern)

The pattern of movement during walking, characterized by measurable parameters including walking velocity, cadence (steps per minute), step length, stride length, step time, cycle time, and swing time. Gait analysis is important in accessibility and rehabilitation because many…

Glaucoma

A group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, usually caused by abnormally high intraocular pressure. It is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide, affecting over 80 million people. Glaucoma typically causes gradual peripheral vision loss that may…

HIPAA(also: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

A 1996 United States federal law that establishes national standards for the protection of certain health information. HIPAA's Privacy Rule governs who may access protected health information (PHI), while its Security Rule mandates administrative, physical, and technical…

Health Misinformation(also: Medical Misinformation, Health Disinformation)

False or misleading health-related information that is spread regardless of intent to deceive. On social media and video platforms, health misinformation about conditions like ADHD can include inaccurate symptom descriptions, unproven treatments, misleading diagnostic criteria,…

Hydrocephalus(also: Hydrocephaly, Water on the Brain)

A condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles of the brain, causing increased intracranial pressure and enlargement of the head. Hydrocephalus can be congenital or acquired, and if untreated can lead to developmental delays,…

Hyperacusis(also: Decreased sound tolerance)

A hearing condition in which everyday sounds are perceived as uncomfortably or painfully loud, even at volume levels that are tolerable for most people. Hyperacusis involves a reduced tolerance for the overall volume of sound rather than sensitivity to specific sound types…

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living(also: IADLs)

Complex everyday tasks that require higher-level cognitive and physical skills than basic self-care activities. IADLs include managing finances, shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, using transportation, managing medications, and using communication technologies…

Internalized Ageism(also: Self-Directed Ageism)

The process by which older adults absorb and accept negative societal stereotypes about aging, applying these beliefs to themselves and their peers. Internalized ageism can lead older adults to underestimate their own capabilities, avoid learning new technologies, or accept…

Kinesiology(also: Human kinetics, Movement science)

The scientific study of human body movement, encompassing biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, psychology, and neuroscience as they relate to physical activity. In accessibility contexts, kinesiology provides foundational knowledge about how people move and interact with their…

Late Diagnosis(also: Adult Diagnosis, Delayed Diagnosis)

Receiving a formal diagnosis of a condition significantly later than when symptoms first appeared, often in adulthood for conditions typically identified in childhood. Late diagnosis of ADHD and autism is common, particularly among women, people of color, and those who developed…

Loneliness(also: Perceived Social Isolation)

The subjective feeling of being alone or disconnected from others, regardless of the actual quantity of social contacts a person has. Loneliness differs from social isolation in that it reflects perceived rather than objective social disconnection—a person can feel lonely in a…

Low vision(also: Partial sight, Visual impairment)

A level of visual impairment that cannot be fully corrected with standard glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery, but retains some usable vision — distinguishing it from total blindness. Low vision encompasses a range of conditions affecting acuity, visual field,…

Lubben Social Network Scale(also: LSNS, LSNS-6)

A validated screening instrument used to assess social isolation risk in older adults by measuring the size and closeness of their social networks. The abbreviated LSNS-6 version contains six items covering family and friend networks, asking about the number of relatives and…

Macular degeneration(also: AMD, Age-related macular degeneration, ARMD)

A progressive eye disease that damages the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. It is the leading cause of vision loss in people over 50, affecting central vision while typically leaving peripheral vision intact. This means people with…

Meltdown(also: Sensory meltdown)

An intense, involuntary response to overwhelming sensory, emotional, or cognitive overload, commonly experienced by autistic and other neurodivergent individuals. Unlike a tantrum, a meltdown is not a deliberate behaviour but a loss of behavioural control triggered when coping…

Mild Cognitive Impairment(also: MCI)

A condition involving a noticeable decline in cognitive abilities — including memory, reasoning, or judgment — that is greater than expected for a person's age but does not significantly interfere with daily functioning. MCI is distinct from dementia in that individuals…

Mindfulness(also: Mindfulness Meditation, Mindfulness-Based Practice)

The practice of directing non-judgmental attention to present-moment experience — bodily sensations, breath, thoughts, and emotions — typically cultivated through structured meditation, body-scan exercises, or informal awareness in daily activity. Rooted in Buddhist…

Misinformation(also: Disinformation, Health Misinformation)

Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that spreads through digital channels, regardless of whether the spread is intentional (disinformation) or unintentional. On social media platforms, health misinformation is a significant concern for disabled communities,…

Misophonia(also: Selective sound sensitivity syndrome)

A neurological condition characterised by strong negative emotional and physiological reactions — such as anger, anxiety, disgust, or fight-or-flight responses — to specific trigger sounds, often repetitive human-produced sounds like chewing, breathing, tapping, or pen clicking.…

Mobile Health Game(also: mHealth Game, Health Gamification App)

A mobile application that uses game mechanics and play-based interaction to support health management behaviors such as medication adherence, physical activity, dietary choices, and health monitoring. Mobile health games leverage gamification elements like points, leaderboards,…

Motion-based game accessibility(also: Movement game accessibility, Exergame accessibility)

The design and adaptation of video games that use physical movement as the primary input — such as Kinect, Wii, and VR games — to be playable by people with motor impairments including wheelchair users. Commercial motion-based games typically assume standing play and full-body…

Motor ability(also: Motor function, Motor capacity)

The capacity to perform physical movements required for interaction with technology and the environment, encompassing sub-constructs including strength, dexterity, coordination, range of motion, speed, accuracy, endurance, and tremor control. Motor ability is not a fixed trait…

Motor control(also: Motor coordination, Movement control)

The process by which the nervous system coordinates muscles and limbs to produce purposeful, accurate movement. Motor control involves planning movements, executing them, and using sensory feedback to make real-time corrections. Impairments in motor control — caused by…

Multimorbidity(also: Multiple Long-term Conditions, Co-occurring Conditions)

Multimorbidity is the presence of two or more chronic health conditions or long-term impairments in a single individual. It is especially prevalent among older adults and is a major factor in the complexity of accessibility needs. Research shows that multimorbidity is the norm…

Noise sensitivity(also: Sound sensitivity, Auditory hypersensitivity)

A condition in which sounds that most people find tolerable are experienced as disproportionately distressing, overwhelming, or physically painful. Noise sensitivity exists on a spectrum from mild annoyance to extreme pain, and is common among neurodivergent individuals…

OCD Cycle

A four-step clinical model describing how Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is maintained: an obsession (intrusive thought, urge, or image) triggers a feeling of distress, which the person attempts to relieve through a compulsion (a behavior or mental act), producing temporary…

Occupational therapy(also: OT)

A healthcare profession focused on enabling people to participate in meaningful daily activities ("occupations") despite physical, cognitive, sensory, or psychosocial challenges. Occupational therapists assess individuals' functional abilities, recommend assistive technology,…

Occupational therapy(also: OT)

A healthcare profession focused on enabling people to participate in meaningful daily activities (occupations) by addressing physical, cognitive, sensory, and environmental barriers. Occupational therapists assess individual abilities, recommend and customize assistive…

Online Health Community(also: OHC, Digital Health Community, Online Support Group)

A digital space where individuals with shared health conditions, disabilities, or wellness concerns connect to exchange information, provide emotional support, share experiences, and discuss treatment options. Traditional OHCs are typically hosted on dedicated forums or…

Oxygen Desaturation(also: Hypoxemia, O2 Desaturation)

A drop in blood oxygen saturation levels below normal ranges, which can occur during physical exertion in people with chronic respiratory conditions like COPD. Oxygen desaturation during exercise is a medical concern that may require the person to stop, rest, and practice…