Glossary

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Persuasive Technology(also: Behaviour Change Technology, Behavior Change Technology)

Technology designed to change users' attitudes or behaviours through persuasion and social influence rather than coercion. In health and wellness contexts, persuasive technologies use strategies such as goal-setting, self-monitoring, reminders, social comparison, and rewards to…

Playification

A design strategy that transforms routine or clinical tasks into playful, engaging experiences without relying solely on competitive game mechanics like points and leaderboards. Unlike gamification, which adds game elements to non-game contexts, playification emphasizes…

Post-Exertion Malaise(also: PEM, Post-Exertional Malaise, Crash)

A disproportionate worsening of symptoms following physical, cognitive, or emotional exertion that would not cause comparable effects in a healthy person. Post-exertion malaise is a hallmark symptom of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and occurs in…

Pressure ulcer(also: Pressure injury, Pressure sore, Decubitus ulcer)

A localized injury to the skin and underlying tissue resulting from sustained pressure, often over a bony prominence. Pressure ulcers are a major health concern for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility, as prolonged sitting without regular weight shifts can restrict…

Psychomotor testing(also: Psychomotor assessment, Motor performance testing)

The measurement of cognitive-motor integration — how quickly and accurately a person can translate mental intentions into physical actions such as reaching, pointing, grasping, or tapping. Psychomotor tests assess reaction time, movement speed, accuracy, coordination, and…

Pulmonary Rehabilitation(also: PR, Respiratory Rehabilitation)

A supervised, multidisciplinary program for people with chronic respiratory diseases that combines patient education, exercise training, and self-management skills to reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, and increase physical activity. During pulmonary rehabilitation,…

Pursed-lip Breathing(also: PLB)

A breathing technique in which the person inhales gently through the nose and exhales slowly through lightly pursed lips, with the exhalation lasting at least twice as long as the inhalation. The prolonged exhalation against pursed lips creates positive back-pressure in the…

Quality of Life(also: QoL, WHOQOL)

Quality of life (QoL) is a multidimensional construct used in disability, rehabilitation, and accessibility research to capture well-being across physical health, psychological state, social relationships, and environmental factors. The World Health Organization's WHOQOL…

Quality of Life Framework(also: QoL Framework, WHOQOL)

A structured approach to measuring and understanding an individual's overall well-being across multiple domains including physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, environment, independence, and personal beliefs. The WHO Quality of Life framework (WHOQOL)…

Quantified Self(also: Self-Tracking, Personal Informatics, Lifelogging)

The practice of using technology to systematically track and analyse data about one's own body, health, behaviour, and daily activities. Common tools include fitness trackers, smartwatches, heart rate monitors, and mobile apps that record metrics such as steps, sleep, calories,…

QuickDASH(also: Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand)

A shortened version of the DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) outcome measure, consisting of 11 items that assess a person's ability to perform upper extremity activities of daily living. The QuickDASH produces scores from 0 (no disability) to 100 (most severe…

Range of Motion(also: ROM)

The full extent of movement possible at a joint, measured in degrees of rotation or linear distance. Range of motion is a fundamental clinical measurement used by occupational and physical therapists to assess hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder function. In accessibility contexts,…

Rehabilitation science(also: Rehabilitation research)

An interdisciplinary field focused on understanding and improving function, independence, and quality of life for people with disabilities, injuries, or chronic conditions. Rehabilitation science draws on medicine, engineering, psychology, and social science to develop…

Remote therapy(also: Teletherapy, Telepractice, Telerehabilitation)

The delivery of therapeutic interventions — including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation — through technology-mediated communication rather than exclusively in-person sessions. Remote therapy systems typically combine a client-facing application (often…

Repetitive Strain Injury(also: RSI, Repetitive motion injury, Overuse injury)

A category of injuries affecting muscles, tendons, and nerves caused by repetitive movements, sustained awkward postures, or overuse of a body part. In the context of accessibility, repetitive strain injuries are a significant concern for manual wheelchair users, who experience…

Repetitive Stress Injury(also: RSI, Repetitive Strain Injury, Repetitive Motion Injury)

A group of conditions caused by repetitive movements, forceful exertions, or sustained awkward postures over extended periods, resulting in damage to muscles, tendons, nerves, or other soft tissues. In computing contexts, RSI commonly affects the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders,…

Sedentary Behaviour(also: Sedentary Lifestyle, Physical Inactivity)

Any waking behaviour characterised by low energy expenditure while in a sitting, reclining, or lying posture, such as prolonged sitting at a desk, watching television, or using a computer. Sedentary behaviour is a leading risk factor for preventable chronic diseases including…

Self-Diagnosis(also: Self-Identification, Self-Dx)

The process of identifying oneself as having a condition or disability based on personal research and self-assessment rather than through formal clinical evaluation. Self-diagnosis is particularly prevalent and controversial in ADHD and autism communities, where diagnostic…

Self-Monitoring(also: Self-Recording, Self-Observation)

Self-monitoring is the practice of systematically observing and recording one's own behavior, emotions, or activities, typically as part of a broader self-management or behavioral intervention program. In accessibility and disability contexts, self-monitoring tools —…

Self-tracking(also: Quantified Self, Self-monitoring, Personal Informatics)

The practice of using technology — typically wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers — to systematically record and monitor personal data about one's own behaviour, health, or activities. Self-tracking can help individuals, including older adults and people with…

Sensory Regulation(also: Sensory Modulation, Sensory Processing Management)

The ability to manage and respond appropriately to sensory input from the environment. People with conditions such as autism, ADHD, migraines, or sensory processing disorders may experience heightened sensitivity to light, sound, temperature, or touch. Smart home technology can…

Sensory processing(also: Sensory integration, Sensory modulation)

The neurological process of receiving, organising, and interpreting sensory information from the environment (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste, proprioception, vestibular input) to produce appropriate responses. Differences in sensory processing are common in autism, ADHD, and…

Sexual Violence(also: Nonconsensual Sex)

Any sexual act, attempt, or coercion that occurs without the freely given consent of the person involved. In accessibility research, sexual violence is a significant concern because disabled and neurodivergent populations - including autistic adults and people with ADHD -…

Simultanagnosia(also: Simultagnosia)

A neurological condition in which a person can perceive individual objects but cannot see or process multiple objects simultaneously within a visual scene. Simultanagnosia is a common feature of cerebral visual impairment and dorsal stream dysfunction. In everyday life, it makes…

Social Distancing(also: Physical Distancing)

The practice of maintaining a minimum physical distance from other people to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases, widely adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic with recommended distances of at least 1 metre (WHO) or 6 feet (CDC). Social distancing presented unique…

Social Isolation(also: Social Disconnection)

A state characterized by a lack of meaningful social contacts, relationships, and community engagement. Social isolation is a significant public health concern among older adults and people with disabilities, associated with increased risks of depression, cognitive decline,…

Social cognition(also: Social perception, Theory of mind)

The set of cognitive processes involved in understanding and responding to social information, including recognising emotions, interpreting intentions, understanding sarcasm and figurative language, taking others' perspectives, and navigating social norms. Social cognition can…

Spoon theory(also: Spoons, Energy accounting)

A metaphor created by Christine Miserandino to explain the limited energy reserves experienced by people with chronic illness and disabilities. "Spoons" represent units of energy, and every activity — from getting dressed to attending a meeting — costs spoons. Once spoons are…

Strabismus(also: Crossed eyes, Squint, Eye misalignment)

A condition in which the eyes do not align properly, causing one eye to point in a different direction from the other — inward (esotropia), outward (exotropia or exophoria), upward, or downward. Strabismus disrupts binocular coordination and can lead to double vision, amblyopia,…

Stress Management(also: Stress Regulation, Stress Reduction)

The set of techniques and practices used to reduce the physiological and psychological impact of acute and chronic stress — including controlled breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness meditation, cognitive reappraisal, biofeedback, physical activity, and social…

Traumatic brain injury(also: TBI, Acquired brain injury)

An injury to the brain caused by an external force such as a blow, jolt, or penetrating object, resulting in temporary or permanent impairments to cognitive, physical, and psychosocial functioning. TBI can affect attention, memory, executive function, language processing, social…

Underdiagnosis(also: Missed Diagnosis)

A pattern where a medical condition goes unrecognized and undiagnosed in a significant portion of the affected population. ADHD is substantially underdiagnosed in women, adults, and people of color due to diagnostic criteria historically developed based on hyperactive boys, lack…

Visual processing(also: Visual perception, Visual cognition)

The brain's ability to interpret, organise, and make sense of visual information received from the eyes, involving multiple neural pathways including the ventral stream (object recognition, "what" pathway) and the dorsal stream (spatial awareness and motion, "where" pathway).…

Well-being(also: Wellbeing, Well Being)

Well-being is a multi-dimensional construct covering a person's physical health, psychological state, social connectedness, autonomy, and environmental quality of life. Accessibility research uses well-being as a target outcome because disability-related technology can be…