Glossary

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Open access(also: OA, Open access publishing)

A publishing model that makes scholarly research freely available to anyone online, removing subscription paywalls that traditionally restrict access to academic journals. While open access has significantly democratised access to knowledge, research has shown that the shift…

Plain language(also: Plain English, Easy read, Simple language)

A communication approach that uses clear, concise, and well-organised writing designed to be understood the first time it is read. Plain language avoids jargon, complex sentence structures, and ambiguous wording. It is a key accessibility practice for making information…

Print Illiteracy(also: Alipi)

A condition where a literate person is unable to meaningfully access or use written web content, not because they cannot read, but because the content is presented in a language, script, or format they do not understand. Print illiteracy distinguishes itself from traditional…

Quantified Self(also: Self-Tracking, Personal Informatics, Lifelogging)

The practice of using technology to systematically track and analyse data about one's own body, health, behaviour, and daily activities. Common tools include fitness trackers, smartwatches, heart rate monitors, and mobile apps that record metrics such as steps, sleep, calories,…

Reading accessibility(also: Readable content, Text accessibility)

The design of written content and reading interfaces to be usable by people with diverse literacy levels, cognitive abilities, language backgrounds, and sensory capabilities. Reading accessibility encompasses plain language, text simplification, adjustable typography (font size,…

Recreational Accessibility(also: Leisure Accessibility)

The design and provision of recreational activities, spaces, and experiences that are inclusive of people with disabilities. Recreational accessibility extends beyond basic physical access to encompass independent participation in leisure pursuits such as shopping, tourism,…

Recreational Exploration(also: Wandering exploration, Exploratory navigation, Open-ended exploration)

Movement through an environment driven by interest, curiosity, or enjoyment rather than by a fixed destination — for example wandering a museum, browsing a shopping mall, or exploring a neighbourhood. For blind and low-vision people, recreational exploration is harder to support…

STEM(also: STEM Education, Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics)

An acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, used to describe educational disciplines and career fields. In accessibility contexts, STEM engagement is particularly important because people with disabilities are severely underrepresented in these fields.…

STEM accessibility(also: Accessible STEM education)

The practice of making science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and activities accessible to people with disabilities. STEM fields present particular accessibility challenges because they rely heavily on visual representations (diagrams, graphs, microscopy),…

Selective disclosure(also: Contextual disclosure, Situational disclosure)

The practice of revealing disability identity to specific people or in specific contexts while keeping it private in others, based on a continuous assessment of safety, trust, relevance, and potential consequences. Most people with invisible disabilities practice selective…

Self-presentation(also: Impression management, Identity management)

The process by which individuals control how they are perceived by others, selecting which aspects of their identity to reveal, emphasise, or conceal in different social contexts. For people with invisible disabilities, self-presentation involves ongoing decisions about whether…

Social Capital

The networks of relationships, shared norms, trust, and reciprocity that enable individuals and communities to function effectively and access resources. People with intellectual disabilities often have limited social capital due to restricted social networks, reduced community…

Social Prescribing(also: Community Prescribing, Non-Medical Referral)

A non-medical intervention that links clinical practice with community-based activities and support services to improve health and wellbeing. In the context of accessibility, social prescribing connects people living with disabilities or chronic conditions — including dementia —…

Social accessibility(also: Social model of access)

An approach to accessibility that recognises the role of social interactions, human help, and community practices in enabling access for people with disabilities, rather than focusing solely on technological or environmental modifications. Social accessibility encompasses…

Social media accessibility(also: Accessible social media)

The design and implementation of social media platforms and content to be usable by people with disabilities, encompassing both platform-level accessibility (screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, captioned video) and content-level accessibility (alt text on images,…

Supported Employment(also: SE)

An approach to helping people with significant disabilities find and maintain competitive employment in integrated work settings, with ongoing support as needed. Unlike sheltered workshops or segregated employment, supported employment places individuals in regular workplaces…

Survey Accessibility(also: Accessible Surveys, Inclusive Survey Design)

The practice of designing surveys, questionnaires, and assessment tools so they can be completed by people with diverse abilities, languages, and communication preferences. Survey accessibility encompasses providing content in multiple formats (text, audio, sign language video),…

Tech support for older adults(also: Senior tech support, Elder tech assistance)

The provision of guidance, troubleshooting, and learning resources to help older adults use digital technologies effectively. Research identifies two key dimensions: self-reliant support (online tutorials, video guides, built-in help features, trial-and-error) and social support…

Telepresence robot(also: Telepresence, Remote presence robot)

A mobile robotic device that enables a remote user to have a physical presence in a distant location, typically featuring a screen displaying the user's face, a camera, microphone, speaker, and wheels for navigation. In educational and workplace accessibility contexts,…

Third place

A sociological concept coined by Ray Oldenburg describing informal social gathering spaces beyond the home (first place) and workplace (second place), such as cafes, parks, community centers, or clubs. Third places are characterized by inclusivity, voluntary participation, low…

Transit accessibility(also: Public transportation accessibility, Accessible transit)

The degree to which public transportation systems — including buses, trains, subways, and associated infrastructure like stops, stations, and information systems — are usable by people with disabilities. Transit accessibility encompasses vehicle design (ramps, priority seating,…

Universal Usability

An approach to technology design that aims to make systems usable by the widest possible range of people, including children, older adults, people with various impairments, people engaged in other tasks, and users with differing levels of education, literacy, and socio-economic…

Version segregation(also: Parallel versions, Separate accessible version)

A design practice in which a separate, simplified, or modified version of a product, game, or platform is created specifically for disabled users rather than making the main version accessible. While intended to improve access, version segregation often results in social…

Vocational Inclusion(also: Employment Inclusion, Labor Market Inclusion)

The meaningful participation of people with disabilities in the labor market, encompassing not just job placement but access to professional development, training, career advancement, and equitable working conditions. Despite international policy frameworks like the UNCRPD and…

Web Inclusion(also: Digital Inclusion, Web for All)

The principle and practice of ensuring that the web is usable by and beneficial to all people, regardless of disability, language, literacy, cultural background, technical proficiency, or socio-economic status. Web inclusion extends beyond traditional web accessibility by…

Window Shopping(also: Recreational window-shopping, Browsing)

The casual practice of looking at shops, displays, or goods without a specific purchase in mind — social activity valued for its own sake as much as for any eventual transaction. Accessibility research frames window-shopping as a form of non-instrumental exploration that is…

Workplace Inclusion(also: Inclusive Workplace)

The practice of creating work environments where all employees, including those with disabilities, can participate fully, contribute their skills, and access the same opportunities for development and advancement. Workplace inclusion goes beyond physical accessibility to…