Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
899 results found in Assistive Technology.
- Virtual World Accessibility (Metaverse Accessibility, VR Accessibility for Blind Users)
- Virtual world accessibility refers to the design and implementation of techniques that enable people with disabilities, particularly blind and visually impaired users, to participate in 3D virtual env…
- Vision Language Model (VLM, Vision-Language Model, Multimodal Large Language Model)
- A machine-learning model trained to take both images and natural-language text as input and to produce natural-language output. Modern VLMs — such as GPT-4o, Gemini, and Claude — can describe a photo,…
- Vision Multiplexing (Visual Multiplexing)
- An optical engineering concept for low-vision aids that involves presenting multiple views or visual channels simultaneously to compensate for reduced visual function. In the context of assistive tech…
- Visual Assistant (Visual Assistant Skill)
- Proposed by Gonzalez Penuela et al. (2026), the 'visual assistant' skill is a set of behaviours that an AI visual interpretation system must exhibit — beyond simply producing accurate captions — to me…
- Visual Augmentation (Text Augmentation, Visual Enhancement)
- The addition of visual elements such as icons, images, sign language videos, or highlights to text to aid comprehension and reading support. Visual augmentation is a common reading support strategy ac…
- Visual Communication (VIC)
- A method of conveying information, ideas, and meaning through visual elements such as images, icons, symbols, and pictographs rather than through spoken or written language. In accessibility contexts,…
- Visual Evoked Potential (VEP, Visually Evoked Response, VERP)
- A visual evoked potential (VEP) is an electrical signal generated by the brain's visual cortex in response to a visual stimulus, typically a flash of light or a pattern change. VEPs are measured using…
- Visual Feedback (Visual Biofeedback)
- A method of providing real-time visual information to a user about their actions, performance, or physiological state. In speech therapy and assistive technology, visual feedback systems display graph…
- Visual Interpretation (AI Visual Interpretation, Visual Interpretation Application)
- The task of translating visual content — a scene, object, document, interface, or image — into a form accessible to a blind or low-vision user, typically spoken or written description, answers to ques…
- Visual Prompts (Picture Prompts, Visual Cues, Photographic Cues)
- Images, icons, photographs, or other visual representations used to guide, remind, or support individuals in completing tasks, following schedules, or navigating environments. Visual prompts are parti…
- Visual Prosthetic (Visual Prosthesis, Vision Prosthetic)
- A device or system that provides visual information to people who are blind or have severe visual impairments through alternative sensory channels or direct neural stimulation. Visual prosthetics rang…
- Visual Saliency (Saliency, Saliency Detection, Saliency Map)
- A computational measure of how much a particular region of an image or video stands out from its surroundings and attracts visual attention. Saliency models predict where people are most likely to loo…
- Visual Schedule (Picture Schedule, Activity Schedule)
- A visual representation of a sequence of activities or steps that an individual is expected to complete, using pictures, symbols, photographs, or written words arranged in chronological order. Visual …
- Visual Speech Aid (Speech Reading Aid, Visual Communication Aid)
- A visual speech aid is an assistive device or system that converts auditory speech information into visual form to help individuals with hearing impairments follow spoken conversation. These aids may …
- Visual Supports (Visual Aids, Visual Cues)
- Pictures, symbols, photographs, written words, objects, or other visual items used to support communication, learning, and behaviour in individuals with developmental disabilities, particularly autism…
- Visual Vocabulary (Picture-Based Vocabulary, Icon Vocabulary)
- A collection of words or concepts represented through images, icons, or pictorial symbols rather than text alone. Visual vocabularies are widely used in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC…
- Visual assistance technology (VAT, AI visual assistance, Visual interpretation service)
- Technology that uses artificial intelligence, computer vision, or human volunteers to provide visual information to blind and low-vision users. Examples include apps like Seeing AI, Be My Eyes, and Lo…
- Visual authoring (Visual content creation)
- The process of creating or editing visual content such as images, graphics, videos, or layouts. Visual authoring has traditionally been one of the least accessible creative activities for blind and lo…
- Vocal Joystick (VJ, Voice Joystick)
- A voice-based human-computer interface that uses continuous non-verbal vocal sounds (rather than spoken words) to provide proportional, real-time control of devices, cursors, or robotic systems. The V…
- Vocal Source Identity
- Vocal Source Identity is an auditory display principle referring to the use of different speaking voices or sound sources to convey distinct types of information in an audio interface. In the context …