Glossary

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HAAT Model(also: Human Activity Assistive Technology Model)

A conceptual framework for understanding and designing assistive technology systems that identifies four interconnected components: the human user, the activity being performed, the assistive technology itself, and the context in which the activity takes place. Developed by Cook…

HULOP(also: Human-scale Localization Platform)

An open-source indoor navigation platform originally developed by IBM Research to support blind navigation using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon fingerprinting for localisation plus a topological map server for route planning and point-of-interest data. HULOP has been used as…

Hand Tracking(also: Gesture Tracking, Hand Gesture Recognition)

A technology that detects and tracks the position, orientation, and movements of a user's hands and fingers without requiring physical controllers, typically using cameras and computer vision algorithms. In extended reality, hand tracking enables hands-free interaction through…

Hand-Object Interaction(also: Hand-Object Interactions, HOI)

The full range of physical actions people perform when grasping, touching, holding, manipulating, or gesturing toward objects with their hands. In accessibility research, hand-object interactions are studied as natural intent cues that can drive assistive technology: for blind…

Hands-Free Control(also: Hands-Free Interaction, Hands-Free Input)

Any method of operating a device or computer system that does not require the use of the hands or fingers. Hands-free control encompasses a range of input techniques including voice commands, eye tracking, head movements, sip-and-puff switches, foot controls, and EMG-based…

Hands-Free Interface(also: Hands-Free Computing, Hands-Free Input)

A hands-free interface is a computer interaction system that does not require the use of hands or fingers, enabling users to control software through alternative input channels such as head movements, eye gaze, voice commands, foot pedals, or breath-controlled switches. These…

Hapget(also: Haptically-Enhanced Widget)

A hapget (haptically-enhanced widget) is a user interface element that combines a 3D visual representation with haptic (touch) feedback, audio cues, and descriptive metadata to enable non-visual interaction. Introduced in the 3D HapticWebBrowser project, hapgets transform…

Haptic(also: Haptic feedback, Haptic interface)

Relating to the sense of touch as a means of interaction between a user and a device. Haptic interfaces include braille displays that raise and lower pins to represent text, vibration motors in mobile devices that provide tactile feedback, and specialised controllers that offer…

Haptic Communication(also: Social Haptics, Tactile Communication, Haptic Interaction)

A method of conveying information through touch-based signals, vibrations, or physical patterns on the body. Haptic communication is particularly important for individuals with deafblindness or other multisensory impairments, where visual and auditory channels are unavailable or…

Haptic Controller(also: Haptic Interface, Tactile Controller)

An input device that uses touch-based interaction, typically through buttons, pads, or surfaces that can be pressed, tapped, or manipulated. In music technology, haptic controllers include devices like sample pads, drum machines, and synthesizer controllers that respond to…

Haptic Design(also: Vibrotactile Design, Haptic Authoring)

The practice of authoring haptic feedback - typically vibrations, forces, or temperature cues - so that it conveys intended meaning, emotion, or synchronicity with other media. Haptic design involves choosing signal parameters such as amplitude, frequency, timing, and spatial…

Haptic Device(also: Haptic Interface, Force-Feedback Device, Tactile Device)

A hardware device that provides tactile or force feedback to users, enabling them to feel virtual objects, textures, resistance, or vibrations. Haptic devices range from simple vibration motors in smartphones to sophisticated force-feedback systems like the Geomagic Touch…

Haptic Display(also: Tactile Display, Pin-Matrix Display, Refreshable Tactile Display)

A device that conveys information through the sense of touch by dynamically raising and lowering physical elements (typically pins) to create tactile patterns. In accessibility, haptic displays range from single-line refreshable Braille displays used with screen readers to large…

Haptic Exploration(also: Tactile Exploration, Touch Exploration)

The process of acquiring spatial and object information through systematic touch and hand movements. Haptic exploration involves active manipulation and movement across surfaces to perceive shape, size, texture, temperature, and spatial relationships. For people who are blind or…

Haptic Feedback(also: Tactile Feedback, Touch Feedback)

Information conveyed through the sense of touch, typically using vibrations, force, or texture changes to communicate data or system states to a user. In accessibility, haptic feedback provides non-visual, non-auditory confirmation of actions and can convey spatial information,…

Haptic Feedback(also: Tactile Feedback, Haptics)

Technology that communicates information through the sense of touch, using vibrations, pressure, or motion applied to the user's body. In accessibility, haptic feedback provides a non-visual, non-auditory channel for conveying alerts, navigation cues, or interface responses —…

Haptic Glove(also: Data Glove, Tactile Glove, Wearable Haptic Device)

A wearable device worn on the hand that provides tactile feedback through vibration motors, piezoelectric actuators, pin arrays, or other mechanisms embedded in the fingers and palm. In accessibility research, haptic gloves have been explored for several applications: enabling…

Haptic Graphics(also: Dynamic Tactile Graphics, Refreshable Haptic Graphics)

Graphical information presented through the sense of touch, typically on refreshable displays or touchscreen devices. Unlike static tactile graphics (embossed paper or thermoform), haptic graphics can change dynamically and often combine tactile feedback with audio cues. Modern…

Haptic Guiding(also: Force-Based Guiding, Haptic Navigation)

A collaborative interaction technique where one user physically guides another user's cursor or pointer through force feedback, allowing spatial information to be communicated through touch rather than verbal description. In inclusive group work, haptic guiding enables sighted…

Haptic Handle(also: Tactile handle)

A grip on a mobility or guidance device (robot, smart cane, haptic rein, etc.) that conveys information to the user through touch — typically via buttons, vibrotactile feedback, or physical coupling to the device's motion. On suitcase-shaped navigation robots for blind users, a…

Haptic Input(also: Haptic Interaction, Touch Input)

Haptic input refers to interaction methods that use the sense of touch to communicate information between a user and a computer system. This includes devices such as data gloves, force-feedback controllers, and touch-sensitive surfaces that detect hand movements, gestures, and…

Haptic Interface(also: Haptic Device, Tactile Interface, Touch Interface)

An interface that communicates with users through the sense of touch, using vibrations, forces, or textures to convey information. Haptic interfaces can range from simple vibration motors in mobile devices to sophisticated force-feedback controllers and custom tactile displays.…

Haptic Magnetism(also: Force Attraction, Haptic Gravity)

A technique used in haptic interfaces where virtual attractive forces pull a haptic device (such as a stylus) toward nearby virtual objects, simulating a magnetic or gravitational effect. In accessible virtual environments, haptic magnetism helps blind users discover and reach…

Haptic Music Technology(also: Vibrotactile Music Systems, Haptic Music Interfaces)

Technologies that convey musical information through touch, typically using vibrotactile feedback to transmit sound properties such as rhythm, frequency, and amplitude to the body. Haptic music technology includes wearable devices like vibrotactile vests and jackets that allow…

Haptic Perception(also: Tactile Perception, Touch Perception)

The ability to perceive and interpret information through the sense of touch, including the detection of texture, shape, temperature, pressure, and vibration. Haptic perception is a primary information channel for blind and low vision people and is central to the use of…

Haptic Pointing Device(also: Force Feedback Mouse, Haptic Mouse, Force Feedback Pointing Device)

An input device that combines the pointing functionality of a mouse or stylus with the ability to generate physical forces that the user can feel through their hand. Unlike a standard mouse that provides no tactile information about screen content, a haptic pointing device can…

Haptic Technology(also: Haptics, Touch Technology)

Technology that creates tactile experiences through the application of forces, vibrations, or motions to the user, enabling interaction through the sense of touch. Haptic technologies range from simple vibration motors in smartphones to sophisticated force-feedback devices and…

Haptic Toolkit(also: Tactile Prototyping Toolkit)

A collection of physical materials designed to enable hands-on design and prototyping through touch rather than vision. In accessible design research, haptic toolkits are developed specifically for blind and low vision participants to create lo-fi prototypes of devices and…

Haptic User Interface(also: Haptic UI, Haptic Interface)

A user interface that communicates information through the sense of touch, enabling users to interact with virtual or digital objects by feeling their physical properties such as shape, texture, weight, temperature, and vibration. Haptic user interfaces typically employ…

Haptic Virtual Reality(also: Haptic VR, Feelable Virtual Environment)

Haptic virtual reality refers to virtual environments that incorporate touch-based feedback, allowing users to feel virtual textures, shapes, and objects through force-feedback devices. Unlike visual-only VR, haptic VR provides tactile and kinaesthetic information — resistance,…

Haptic Wearable(also: Haptic Wearable Device, Wearable Haptic Technology)

A body-worn electronic device that communicates information through touch sensations such as vibration, pressure, or temperature changes. In accessibility contexts, haptic wearables can serve as assistive technologies that convey information through tactile channels when visual…

Haptics(also: Haptic Technology, Haptic Feedback)

Technology that creates tactile sensations through vibrations, forces, or motions to simulate touch and physical interaction with digital content. In accessibility, haptics enables people who are blind or have low vision to perceive spatial information, navigate interfaces, and…

Head Control(also: Head-Controlled Interface, Head Mouse, Head Pointer)

An alternative computer input device that translates head movements into cursor movements on screen, enabling people who cannot use their hands or arms to operate a computer. Head control systems typically use ultrasonic sensors, infrared tracking, or camera-based systems to…

Head Pointer(also: Head Mouse, Head Tracking Device)

An assistive technology input device that translates head movements into cursor movements on screen, allowing people who cannot use their hands or arms to control a computer. Head pointers can be physical devices (a stick or stylus mounted on a headband used to press keys) or…

Head Pointing(also: Head-Controlled Pointing, Head Mouse)

Head pointing is an alternative input method that maps head movements to cursor position on a computer screen, enabling hands-free mouse control. The user moves their head to direct the cursor, with the system translating head orientation or position into screen coordinates.…

Head Pose Estimation(also: Head Orientation Detection, Gaze Direction Estimation)

A computer vision technique that determines the orientation or direction a person's head is facing, typically classifying whether someone is looking towards or away from the camera. In accessibility contexts, head pose estimation can help blind users determine whether a passerby…

Head Tracking(also: Head Movement Tracking, Head-Controlled Input, Head Tracker)

An assistive technology input method that translates natural head movements into computer cursor control or other input actions. Head tracking systems use cameras, infrared sensors, or depth sensors to detect head position and orientation, allowing users with limited or no hand…

Head Wand(also: Head Pointer, Head Stick, Mouth Stick)

A head wand is an assistive input device consisting of a pointer attached to a headband or held in the mouth, allowing people with limited or no hand and arm function to operate a keyboard, touchscreen, or other controls using head movements. Head wands are commonly used by…

Head-Mounted Display(also: HMD, VR Headset, AR Headset)

A wearable device worn on the head that places a display in front of the user's eyes to present virtual or augmented content. HMDs range from fully immersive VR headsets (like Meta Quest) that replace the visual environment to AR glasses that overlay digital information on the…

Head-Mounted Display (HMD)(also: HMD, Head-Mounted Display, Smart Glasses)

A display device worn on the head that places visual content in front of one or both eyes. Head-mounted displays include AR smart glasses (like Vuzix Blade), VR headsets, and mixed reality devices. In accessibility applications, HMDs can present captions, sign language…

Head-based Pointing(also: Head Tracking, Head Mouse, Head-controlled Input)

An alternative input method that allows users to control an on-screen cursor by moving their head, typically tracked via a camera, infrared sensor, or inertial measurement unit. Head-based pointing is particularly valuable for people with motor impairments who cannot use…

Head-mounted display(also: HMD, Smart glasses, Head-worn display)

A wearable device that positions a display in front of one or both eyes, either overlaying digital content onto the real world (optical see-through) or replacing the visual field with a camera-captured and digitally processed view (video see-through). For people with low vision,…

HeadMaster(also: HeadMaster Plus)

An early head-pointing assistive technology device developed by Prentke Romich Company that translates head movements into mouse cursor movements on screen. The HeadMaster uses an ultrasonic sensor worn on the head (typically mounted on a headband or glasses) to track head…

Heading Navigation(also: Navigate by Headings)

A screen reader navigation strategy that allows users to jump between heading elements (h1-h6) on a webpage, bypassing intermediate content to quickly find sections of interest. Heading navigation is one of the most important strategies for efficient screen reader use, but its…

Health Monitoring(also: Remote Patient Monitoring, Health Surveillance)

The continuous or periodic collection of health-related data using sensors, wearables, or smart home technology to track an individual's wellbeing and detect problems. Health monitoring systems may track vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure), activity levels, medication…

Hearable(also: Smart Earbud, Smart Earphone)

A class of in-ear or over-ear wearable devices that combine audio playback with one or more sensors and on-device computing - microphones for ambient audio capture, inertial sensors, biosensors, and machine-learning accelerators - enabling features beyond passive listening.…

Hearcon(also: 3D Earcon)

An extension of the earcon concept that adds three-dimensional spatial audio properties to non-speech audio cues used in computer interfaces. While earcons are abstract synthesized sounds that represent interface events or objects, hearcons position these sounds in 3D space…

Hearing Aid(also: Hearing Aids)

An electronic device worn in or behind the ear that amplifies sound to assist people with hearing loss. Modern hearing aids include digital signal processing, directional microphones, and connectivity features like Bluetooth. While hearing aids improve access to speech and…

Hearing Aid(also: HA, BTE, Behind-the-Ear)

An electronic device worn in or behind the ear that amplifies sound for individuals with hearing loss. Modern hearing aids include features such as Bluetooth connectivity, directional microphones, and noise reduction. Behind-the-ear (BTE) models are among the most common styles.…

Heuristic Transcoding(also: Rule-based Transcoding)

Heuristic transcoding is the automated transformation of web content to improve accessibility, device compatibility, or readability using a fixed set of predefined rules that inspect the page structure, media types, or visual characteristics — for example, rules that strip small…