Glossary

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ADHD(also: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD)

A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that affect executive function, including working memory, task initiation, sustained attention, and self-regulation. ADHD affects an estimated 3-6% of adults…

Access Conflict(also: Accessibility Conflict, Competing Access Needs)

A situation in which the accessibility requirements of one person conflict with or undermine the accessibility requirements of another person. For example, a student prone to migraines may need low lighting in a classroom, while a student with low vision requires bright, direct…

Acquired Brain Injury(also: ABI)

Brain damage occurring after birth that is not hereditary, congenital, degenerative, or induced by birth trauma. ABI encompasses both traumatic brain injury (TBI) from external forces like falls or accidents, and non-traumatic causes such as stroke, anoxia, infection, or tumors.…

Acquired Disability(also: Adventitious Disability, Late-onset Disability)

A disability that develops after birth, typically due to illness, injury, or aging, as opposed to congenital disabilities present from birth. Common causes include stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, progressive diseases (such as multiple sclerosis or macular…

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(also: ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease, Motor Neurone Disease)

A progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually respiratory failure. ALS typically progresses over 2-5 years, though some individuals live longer. For accessibility, ALS presents…

Ataxia(also: Cerebellar Ataxia)

A neurological condition characterized by impaired coordination and control of voluntary movements, typically caused by damage to the cerebellum or its connections. People with ataxia may experience unsteady gait, tremors, slurred speech, and difficulty with fine motor tasks…

Augmented Communicator(also: AC, AAC User, Aided Communicator)

A person who uses augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology to express themselves, typically because a disability affects their ability to produce speech. Augmented communicators use devices ranging from simple picture boards to sophisticated speech-generating…

Autism(also: Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, Autism Spectrum Condition)

A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication, sensory processing, and patterns of behavior and interests. Autism exists on a spectrum with wide variation in how it presents and the level of support individuals may need. Accessibility for…

Autism spectrum disorder(also: ASD, Autism, Autism spectrum)

A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by differences in social communication, interaction patterns, and restricted or repetitive behaviors, with wide variation in how it manifests across individuals. The spectrum nature of ASD means that people have highly diverse support…

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