Glossary

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Care Ecosystem(also: Assistive Technology Ecosystem, AT Ecosystem)

A network of interconnected stakeholders—including clinicians, makers, recipients, caregivers, and organizations—who collectively support the provision, customization, and maintenance of assistive technology. Care ecosystems recognize that successful AT use depends not just on…

Caregiver Interdependence(also: Care Dependency, Caregiver Reliance)

The mutual reliance between a disabled person and their caregivers, encompassing physical assistance, emotional support, and technological mediation. In accessibility contexts, caregiver interdependence highlights that many disabled people rely on caregivers not just for…

Cumulative Marginality(also: Stacked Stressors, Intersecting Disadvantage)

The compounding effect of multiple marginalizing factors—such as disability, low income, first-generation student status, racial minority status, or caregiving responsibilities—that together create greater barriers than any single factor alone. Research shows that students…

Disabling Factor(also: Disabling Condition, Situational Barrier)

An external condition that blocks or hinders an otherwise available ability from being used to complete a task. Disabling factors can arise from technology design (such as ability assumptions embedded in interfaces), environmental conditions (like noise or poor lighting), or…

Hidden Labour of Disability(also: Invisible Work of Disability, Disability Labour)

The unrecognized time, effort, and energy that disabled people must invest to navigate inaccessible environments, use assistive technologies, manage care relationships, and participate in activities that non-disabled people can do with minimal effort. Examples include spending…

Online Disability Community(also: Disability Online Forum, Digital Disability Community)

Internet-based spaces where people with disabilities connect to share experiences, seek advice, provide peer support, and collaborate on problem-solving. Platforms like Reddit, Facebook groups, and specialized forums serve as vital resources for knowledge exchange about…

Social Inclusion(also: Social Integration, Community Inclusion)

The process of ensuring that people with disabilities can fully participate in social, cultural, and community activities on an equal basis with others. Social inclusion goes beyond physical access to encompass meaningful participation, belonging, and the ability to contribute.…

Stigma(also: Social stigma, Disability stigma)

A negative social perception or mark of disgrace associated with a particular attribute, condition, or circumstance. In disability and accessibility contexts, stigma refers to the social devaluation people experience when using assistive technologies or disclosing disabilities,…

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