Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
899 results found in Assistive Technology.
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- A set of tools, strategies, and techniques used to supplement or replace spoken or written communication for people with complex communication needs. AAC ranges from low-tech options like picture boar…
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
- A range of methods, devices, and strategies used to supplement or replace speech for individuals who have difficulty producing or comprehending spoken language. AAC encompasses both unaided approaches…
- Augmented Reality (AR, Mixed Reality)
- A technology that overlays digital information—such as images, text, or 3D models—onto the user's view of the real world, typically through smartphones, tablets, smart glasses, or projection systems. …
- Augmented Reality (AR) (AR, Augmented Reality)
- An interactive technology that overlays digital information — such as text, images, or video — onto the real-world environment in real time. In accessibility contexts, AR has significant potential for…
- Augmented reality (AR)
- A technology that overlays digital information — such as text, images, highlights, or 3D objects — onto the user's view of the real world, typically through smart glasses, head-mounted displays, or sm…
- Aural Browsing (Aural Navigation, Aural Web Browsing)
- Aural browsing refers to the experience of navigating and consuming web content through auditory output, primarily via screen readers that read page content aloud sequentially. Unlike visual browsing …
- Aural Rendering (Auralization, Audio Rendering)
- The process of converting visual or textual information into a spoken or auditory representation. In programming accessibility, aural rendering transforms source code into speech output that conveys n…
- Auto-label (Automatic Labeling, Heuristic Labeling)
- A feature in authoring tools or runtime environments that automatically generates accessible labels for interactive elements when a developer has not explicitly provided one. For example, Adobe Flash …
- Automated Speech Recognition (ASR, Speech-to-Text, Voice Recognition)
- Technology that converts spoken language into written text using machine learning and signal processing algorithms. In accessibility, ASR is used for real-time captioning, voice control of devices and…
- Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) (ASR, Speech-to-Text, Voice Recognition, Auto-Captioning)
- Technology that converts spoken language into written text using computational algorithms and machine learning models. ASR powers auto-captioning features in video conferencing, media players, and ass…
- Automatic Teller Machine (ATM, Cash Dispenser, Cash Machine)
- An Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) is a self-service electronic banking terminal that allows users to perform financial transactions such as cash withdrawals, balance inquiries, and fund transfers with…
- Automatic Text Simplification (ATS, Automated Simplification)
- The use of computational methods to reduce the complexity of text while preserving its meaning, making it more accessible to readers with disabilities or limited literacy. Automatic text simplificatio…
- Automatic text simplification (ATS, Text simplification, Automated readability improvement)
- The use of natural language processing techniques to transform complex text into simpler, more readable versions while preserving meaning. ATS operates at two levels: lexical simplification (replacing…
- BIGmack Switch (BIGmack, BIGmack Communicator)
- A single-message assistive technology device that allows a user to press a large button to play a pre-recorded message. BIGmack Switches are widely used in special education and communication interven…
- Background Color Music (BCM)
- A sonification technique that maps the background colors of visually distinct content regions on a web page to recognizable melodies, allowing blind users to perceive the color-based grouping structur…
- Ballot Marking Device (BMD, Ballot Marking System)
- A ballot marking device (BMD) is an electronic system that assists voters in marking their ballot selections, typically producing a printed paper ballot as a verifiable record. Unlike direct recording…
- Barcode (Bar Code, QR Code, 1D Barcode, 2D Barcode)
- A barcode is a machine-readable visual encoding of data — linear (one-dimensional, such as UPC or EAN) or matrix (two-dimensional, such as QR or DataMatrix codes). In a digital accessibility context, …
- Barrier Pointing (Edge-Based Pointing)
- An interaction technique for touch screens that uses the physical edges of a device as barriers to assist with target acquisition. When a target is placed near a screen edge, users can slide their fin…
- Behavioral Intervention (Behavior Intervention, Applied Behavior Analysis, ABA)
- A systematic approach to understanding and modifying behavior, most commonly applied to support children with autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Behavioral intervention uses eviden…
- Bespoke Design (Custom Design, Bespoke Assistive Technology)
- The creation of individually tailored products or solutions made to meet the specific needs of a single user, as opposed to mass-produced or universally designed items. In assistive technology, bespok…