Glossary

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Accessible Routing(also: Accessible Navigation, Barrier-Free Routing, Accessible Wayfinding)

The calculation of travel routes that account for accessibility barriers and the specific mobility needs of disabled pedestrians. Unlike standard navigation that optimises solely for distance or time, accessible routing considers factors such as kerb heights, stairs, surface…

Chairable(also: Chair-based interface, Wheelchair-integrated technology)

A design concept for input and output devices that are integrated directly into a wheelchair frame, enabling users to interact with assistive technology without requiring a separate smartphone, wearable device, or other external hardware. Chairables might include thin flexible…

Chairable Technology(also: Chairable Input, Chairable Devices)

Input devices and interactive technologies designed to integrate with the form of a wheelchair, analogous to how wearable technology fits with an individual's clothing. Chairable technology recognises that power wheelchair users spend most of their waking hours in their chairs…

Intelligent Wheelchair(also: Smart Wheelchair, Powered Wheelchair with Navigation Assistance)

A powered wheelchair augmented with sensors, computing hardware, and software algorithms to provide navigation assistance, collision avoidance, or autonomous driving capabilities. Intelligent wheelchairs range from fully autonomous systems that navigate without user input to…

Manual Wheelchair(also: Self-propelled wheelchair)

A wheelchair propelled by the user pushing on handrims attached to the rear wheels, or by an attendant pushing from behind. Manual wheelchairs are the most common type of wheelchair used for personal mobility and become deeply integrated into users' identities and daily…

Omnidirectional wheelchair(also: Holonomic wheelchair)

An electric wheelchair capable of moving in any direction — forward, backward, sideways, and diagonally — as well as rotating in place, typically using Mecanum wheels or similar omnidirectional drive systems. Unlike conventional wheelchairs that can only move forward and…

Power Assist Device(also: Power assist wheel, Pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchair, PAPAW)

A motorized attachment that adds electric propulsion assistance to a manual wheelchair without converting it into a full power wheelchair. Power assist devices typically attach to the wheelchair frame, wheels, or axle and amplify the user's pushing force, reducing physical…

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…

Remote Accessibility Assessment(also: Virtual Accessibility Assessment, Pre-Visit Accessibility Check)

The practice of evaluating the physical accessibility of an unfamiliar environment without being physically present. Wheelchair users and others with mobility disabilities routinely assess spaces in advance to avoid dangerous, inaccessible, or frustrating situations. Current…

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…

Sip-and-Puff(also: Sip and Puff Switch, Pneumatic Switch)

An assistive technology input device that detects air pressure changes from a user sipping (inhaling) or puffing (exhaling) through a straw or tube to generate control signals. Sip-and-puff systems are primarily used by people with severe motor impairments, particularly those…

Step-Free Access(also: Level Access, Barrier-Free Access)

A route or entrance to a building, transport station, or public space that does not require the use of steps or stairs, enabling access for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, parents with pushchairs, and travellers with heavy luggage. In transport contexts,…

Walkability Index(also: Walk Score, Walkability Score, Pedestrian Accessibility Index)

A numerical metric that quantifies how walkable a neighborhood or location is based on the proximity and density of destinations reachable on foot, such as grocery stores, schools, parks, restaurants, and transit stops. Services like walkscore.com have made walkability indices…

Wheelchair(also: Manual Wheelchair, Power Wheelchair, Wheeled Mobility Device)

A mobility assistive device consisting of a chair mounted on wheels, used by people who have difficulty walking or cannot walk due to illness, injury, or disability. Wheelchairs range from basic manual models to powered chairs with advanced controls, and are recognized by the…

Wheelchair Service Provision(also: Wheelchair Service Delivery)

The systematic process of assessing, fitting, providing, and following up on wheelchair users to ensure they receive appropriate mobility devices matched to their individual needs, environment, and lifestyle. The WHO has established guidelines and training packages for…

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