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…

Block-Based Programming(also: Visual Block Programming, Block Coding, Blocks-Based Programming)

A programming paradigm where users create code by selecting and connecting visual blocks that snap together like puzzle pieces, rather than typing text-based syntax. Each block represents a programming construct such as a loop, conditional, variable assignment, or function call.…

Calendar Accessibility(also: Accessible Scheduling)

The degree to which calendar applications and scheduling tools can be effectively used by people with disabilities, particularly blind and low vision users who rely on screen readers. Calendar accessibility challenges include visual grid layouts that are difficult to navigate…

Central Bank Digital Currency(also: CBDC)

A digital form of a country's official currency issued and regulated by its central bank, designed to function as legal tender alongside physical cash. CBDCs raise significant accessibility and inclusion considerations, as their design determines whether people with…

ChatGPT Accessibility(also: GenAI Accessibility)

The degree to which ChatGPT and similar generative AI interfaces can be effectively used by people with disabilities, including compatibility with screen readers, keyboard navigation, and non-visual interaction patterns. Research with teachers with vision impairments in India…

Chatbot Accessibility(also: Accessible Chatbot Design, CUI Accessibility)

The practice of designing chatbots and conversational user interfaces (CUIs) to be usable by people with disabilities. Chatbot accessibility presents unique challenges compared to traditional web accessibility because CUIs involve dynamic, dialogue-based interactions rather than…

Community Sourcing(also: Community-Driven Accessibility)

An approach to creating accessible content by drawing on community members who have domain expertise or vested interest in the content, rather than relying on professional describers or general crowdworkers. Unlike crowdsourcing, which draws from a broad pool of workers who may…

Computational Notebook(also: Jupyter Notebook, Data Science Notebook, IPython Notebook)

A computational notebook is an interactive document that combines executable code, rich text, data visualizations, and narrative explanations in a single shareable format. Widely used in data science, research, and education through platforms like Jupyter, Google Colab, and…

Computer-Mediated Communication(also: CMC)

Communication that occurs through digital devices and platforms, including text messaging, email, video conferencing, voice chat, and social media. Computer-mediated communication raises accessibility challenges because many platforms assume users can see, hear, type, or speak.…

Concurrent Exploration(also: Concurrent Slide Access, Simultaneous Exploration)

The ability for screen reader users to independently browse and interact with visual content (such as presentation slides) at the same time as a presenter is speaking, mirroring the way sighted audience members can freely scan visual materials while listening. Concurrent…

Content Creation Accessibility(also: Accessible Content Creation, Creator Accessibility)

The design and provision of tools, platforms, and workflows that enable people with disabilities to create digital content such as videos, images, audio, and text. Unlike content accessibility, which focuses on making finished content consumable by people with disabilities,…

Contextual Integrity(also: CI, Contextual Privacy)

A privacy framework developed by Helen Nissenbaum that defines privacy not as secrecy but as the appropriate flow of information according to context-specific norms. According to contextual integrity, privacy is violated when information flows deviate from the norms governing a…

Creativity Support Tools(also: CST, Creative Support Software)

Creativity support tools (CSTs) are software applications and systems designed to help people engage in creative activities such as writing, drawing, music production, photography, video editing, graphic design, and programming. In the context of accessibility, CSTs present…

Cross-Platform Consistency(also: Platform Consistency, Multi-Platform Accessibility)

The quality of providing a consistent, reliable user experience across different devices, operating systems, and application versions. For blind and low vision users, cross-platform consistency is a fundamental accessibility requirement because they often use multiple devices…

Cultural Heritage Accessibility(also: CH Accessibility, Heritage Accessibility, Museum Accessibility)

Cultural heritage accessibility refers to the practices, standards, and technologies that enable people with disabilities — as well as non-specialist and diverse audiences — to access, discover, and engage with collections held by galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (the…

Daily Data Analysis(also: DDA, Everyday Data Analysis)

The common, everyday tasks of analyzing and deriving insights from data that people perform in their daily lives or work, such as splitting expenses among friends, computing stock portfolio changes, calculating averages, and comparing product prices. For blind and low-vision…

Data Accessibility(also: Accessible Data, Data Access)

The practice of making data and data-related tools usable by people with disabilities, ensuring that information presented in tables, charts, graphs, spreadsheets, and databases can be perceived, understood, and analyzed regardless of ability. Data accessibility encompasses both…

Data Exploration(also: Exploratory Data Analysis, EDA)

The process of investigating and examining datasets to discover patterns, spot anomalies, test hypotheses, and check assumptions, typically as a preliminary step before formal analysis. For blind and low-vision users, data exploration is particularly challenging because sighted…

Data Visualization Accessibility(also: Accessible Data Visualization, Chart Accessibility, Visualization Accessibility)

The practice of designing charts, graphs, diagrams, and other visual data representations so they are perceivable, operable, and understandable by people with disabilities, particularly those who are blind or have low vision. This includes providing meaningful alternative text,…

Date Picker Accessibility(also: Accessible Date Picker, Date Selection Accessibility)

The degree to which date selection controls in web and mobile applications can be used effectively by people with disabilities. Date pickers are one of the most problematic interface elements for screen reader users, as they often rely on visual calendar grids, lack proper ARIA…

Digital Campus(also: Virtual Campus, Online Campus)

The entirety of an educational institution's online presence, platforms, tools, and digital resources used to deliver learning experiences. The digital campus encompasses learning management systems, course content, assessment tools, library resources, and support services…

Digital Comics Accessibility(also: Comic Accessibility, Graphic Novel Accessibility)

The practice of making comics, graphic novels, manga, and webtoons accessible to people with disabilities, particularly those with visual impairments. Digital comics present unique accessibility challenges because they convey narrative through a combination of sequential art,…

Digital Divide(also: Digital Gap, Technology Divide)

The gap between those who have access to and can effectively use digital technologies and those who cannot, typically divided along lines of income, geography, disability, age, and education. The digital divide disproportionately affects people with disabilities in the Global…

Digital Divide(also: Digital Gap, Technology Gap)

The gap between individuals, households, or communities that have access to modern information and communication technologies and those that do not, or between those with the skills to use them effectively and those without. The digital divide encompasses not only access to…

Digital Health(also: eHealth, Digital Health Intervention)

The use of digital technologies — including mobile apps, social media platforms, wearables, telemedicine, and AI tools — to deliver, coordinate, or support healthcare services and health information. Digital health spans clinical, public health, and community applications, and…

Digital Inclusion(also: Digital Equity, e-Inclusion)

The principle and practice of ensuring that all individuals and communities have access to and can effectively use information and communication technologies. Digital inclusion encompasses three key dimensions: affordable and reliable internet access, devices that meet user…

Digital Independence(also: Digital Autonomy, Technology Independence)

The ability to access and use digital technologies independently to find resources and information. Digital independence encompasses skills such as navigating websites, using search engines, evaluating online information, and completing digital tasks without requiring…

Digital Layer Accessibility

The dimension of VR accessibility concerned with user representation through avatars and the design of virtual worlds and environments. On the avatar side, this includes whether users can create avatars that represent their disabilities, assistive devices, and physical…

Digital Literacy(also: Digital Skills, Computer Literacy)

The ability to effectively and critically use digital technologies for information access, communication, content creation, and problem-solving. Digital literacy for people with vision impairments encompasses proficiency with screen readers, keyboard navigation, accessible…

Digital Reading(also: Electronic Reading, Online Reading)

The act of reading text on digital devices including computers, tablets, smartphones, and e-readers. Digital reading differs from print reading in that it enables dynamic text modification, multimodal augmentation, and assistive technology integration that are not possible with…

Digital Surveillance(also: Online Surveillance)

The monitoring, tracking, and collection of data about individuals through digital technologies, including by governments, corporations, and other institutions. For disabled people, digital surveillance creates specific accessibility concerns: assistive technology data may…

Distraction Blocker(also: Focus app, Website blocker, Digital self-control tool)

A category of digital well-being software designed to restrict access to distracting applications, websites, or notifications so that users can sustain focus on work or study. Distraction blockers range from operating-system features such as Apple Screen Time and Android Focus…

Double Digital Divide

The intersection of two layers of digital exclusion that compound each other, creating amplified barriers to participation. In disability and global accessibility contexts, the term describes how disability-related accessibility barriers (such as inaccessible interfaces and lack…

E-Book Accessibility(also: Electronic Book Accessibility, Digital Book Accessibility)

The design and implementation of electronic books to be usable by people with disabilities, including proper semantic structure, text resizing, reflowable content, alternative text for images, compatibility with screen readers, and customizable visual presentation. Despite the…