Glossary

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AI-Generated Alt Text(also: Automated Alt Text, AI Image Descriptions)

Alternative text for images that is automatically generated by artificial intelligence systems rather than written by humans. AI-generated alt text has become increasingly common on social media platforms and in accessibility tools, using computer vision and multimodal language…

Accessibility API(also: Accessibility Interface, Platform Accessibility API)

A programming interface provided by an operating system or UI framework that exposes information about user interface elements to assistive technologies. Accessibility APIs enable screen readers, switch access devices, and other assistive technologies to programmatically read,…

Accessibility Awareness

The level of knowledge and understanding that individuals, particularly software developers and designers, have about accessibility requirements, standards, and the needs of people with disabilities. Research consistently shows that low accessibility awareness among industry…

Accessibility Feature Discovery(also: Feature Discoverability, Accessibility Settings Discovery)

The process by which users become aware of, find, understand, and adopt accessibility features and settings available on their devices or in software. Research consistently shows that many users who could benefit from accessibility features are unaware they exist, cannot find…

Accessibility Feature Discovery(also: Feature Discoverability, Accessibility Awareness)

The process by which users learn about, find, and activate accessibility features available on their devices or in software. Research shows that the vast majority of users — particularly older adults — are unaware of built-in accessibility features on their smartphones and…

Accessibility Testing(also: A11y Testing)

The practice of evaluating software, websites, or digital products to ensure they can be used by people with disabilities, including those using assistive technologies such as screen readers, voice recognition, and switch devices. Accessibility testing encompasses automated…

Accessible Computing(also: Computing Accessibility)

The design, development, and deployment of computing systems, tools, and interfaces that can be effectively used by people with disabilities. Accessible computing encompasses web accessibility, mobile accessibility, screen reader compatibility, alternative input methods, and…

Accessible Fintech(also: Accessible Financial Technology, accessFinTech)

The design and development of financial technology products and services — including online banking, mobile payments, digital wallets, and cryptocurrency platforms — that are usable by people with disabilities and across diverse user needs. Accessible fintech encompasses not…

Accessible Maps(also: Accessible Mapping, Accessible Cartography)

Maps and navigation tools designed to be usable by people with a wide range of disabilities, including visual, motor, and cognitive impairments. Accessible maps address both the digital accessibility of the map interface itself (such as screen reader compatibility, colour…

Accessible PDF(also: Tagged PDF, PDF/UA)

An accessible PDF is a Portable Document Format file that has been structured with tags, reading order, alternative text for images, and other metadata so that it can be navigated and read by assistive technologies such as screen readers. The PDF/UA (Universal Accessibility)…

Accessible Programming(also: Accessible Software Development, Inclusive Coding)

Accessible programming encompasses the tools, practices, and accommodations that enable people with disabilities to write, test, debug, and maintain software code. Challenges for disabled developers include inaccessible development environments, difficulty navigating code…

Accessible Software(also: Accessible Application, Accessible Program)

Software that is designed and developed so that people with disabilities can effectively perceive, understand, navigate, interact with, and contribute using the application. Accessible software properly exposes its interface elements through platform accessibility APIs, supports…

Accessible Virtual Environments(also: Accessible Virtual Worlds)

Virtual spaces and worlds designed to be navigable and usable by people with disabilities, including consideration of locomotion methods, barrier placement, spatial layout, and environmental features. In VR research, disabled users express nuanced views on virtual environment…

Algospeak(also: Algorithm-Friendly Language, Algo-Speak)

The practice of using code words, creative spellings, or substitutions in online content to avoid algorithmic detection, censorship, or demonetization by social media platforms. Examples include spelling "lesbian" as "le$bian" or "le dollar bean" on TikTok. While algospeak…

Artboard(also: Canvas, Slide Canvas, 2-D Canvas)

An artboard is a two-dimensional digital workspace used in presentation software (PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote), graphic design tools, and whiteboard applications where objects like text boxes, shapes, images, and connectors can be placed at arbitrary positions. Artboards…

Avatar(also: Virtual Avatar)

A digital representation of a human user in a virtual environment that facilitates interaction with other users, entities, and the environment. Avatars range from simple floating hands to full-body representations and serve as the user's visual identity in VR. In accessibility…

Avatar Customization(also: Avatar Creation, Character Customization)

The ability for users to modify the appearance, characteristics, and features of their virtual avatar, including body shape, clothing, accessories, and disability-related features such as wheelchairs or prosthetics. Accessible avatar customization is critical for disabled VR…

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