Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
221 results found in Cognitive Accessibility.
- Landmark-Based Navigation (Landmark Navigation, Landmark-Based Wayfinding)
- A wayfinding strategy that uses recognisable environmental features such as buildings, signs, or other prominent objects as reference points for giving directions, rather than relying solely on street…
- Large Language Models (LLMs, foundation models)
- Large language models are AI systems trained on vast corpora of text data using transformer-based neural network architectures, enabling them to generate, summarize, translate, and reason about natura…
- Learning Disability (Specific Learning Disability, Learning Disorder)
- A neurological condition that affects the brain's ability to receive, process, store, respond to, or communicate information. Learning disabilities include dyslexia (reading), dyscalculia (mathematics…
- Letter Reversal (Mirror Writing, Character Reversal)
- A reading or writing difficulty where visually similar letters are confused or substituted for one another, such as swapping b for d, or p for q. Letter reversal is commonly associated with dyslexia a…
- Lexical Elaboration (Vocabulary Elaboration)
- A text adaptation technique that makes content more accessible by adding explanatory information for complex or unfamiliar words, rather than replacing or removing them. Unlike text simplification, wh…
- Lexile Framework (Lexile, Lexile Measure)
- A commercial readability framework developed by MetaMetrics that places both texts and readers on a common scale — the Lexile measure — to support matching readers with materials at an appropriate lev…
- Lexile Score (Lexile Measure, Lexile Level)
- A standardised measure of text complexity and reading ability, expressed on the Lexile scale (roughly 0L to 1600L+). A Lexile text measure reflects sentence length and word frequency; a Lexile reader …
- Linear Interaction (Sequential Interaction, Single-path Navigation)
- An interface design pattern in which users engage with only one screen or task at a time, following a single sequential path rather than managing multiple overlapping windows, tabs, or concurrent cont…
- Listening Window
- The interval during which a voice assistant or speech-recognition system actively captures user audio after being activated (by wake word or button press). A short or fixed listening window causes pre…
- Medication Management (Medication Adherence, Medication Compliance)
- The process of overseeing and managing the medications prescribed to an individual, including remembering to take medications at the correct times, in the correct doses, and tracking what has been tak…
- Memory (Human Memory)
- The cognitive capacity to encode, store, and retrieve information and past experiences. Memory is typically distinguished into short-term/working memory, long-term memory (which includes episodic, sem…
- Memory Aid (Memory Wallet, Memory Book, External Memory Aid)
- A tool or device that supports memory function by providing external cues, reminders, or stored information that a person can reference. For people with dementia or other cognitive impairments, memory…
- Memory Cue (Memory Prompt, Recall Cue, Retrieval Cue)
- Any stimulus — such as a photograph, sound, object, location, or verbal prompt — that triggers the recollection of a past experience or piece of information. In assistive technology for people with ep…
- Memory Impairment (Memory Loss, Memory Deficit)
- A reduction in the ability to encode, store, or retrieve information, ranging from mild forgetfulness associated with normal ageing to severe deficits caused by conditions such as dementia or traumati…
- Mental Model (Cognitive Model, User Mental Model)
- A user's internal representation of how a system, interface, or environment works, built through experience and interaction. In web accessibility, mental models are critical because screen reader user…
- Mental Workload (Cognitive Load, Cognitive Workload)
- The amount of cognitive effort and mental resources required to complete a task. In accessibility contexts, mental workload is an important measure of how demanding an interface is to use — an interfa…
- Micro-task (Microtask, HIT, Human Intelligence Task)
- A small, self-contained unit of work that can be completed independently, typically in seconds to minutes, often distributed through crowdsourcing platforms. In accessibility contexts, micro-tasks suc…
- Mind Map (Mind Mapping, Concept Map)
- A diagram that organises information radially around a central topic, with branches and sub-branches showing related ideas, supporting details, and their connections. Mind maps were popularised in the…
- Money Management (Personal Finance Management)
- The everyday practices of tracking income and spending, budgeting, paying bills, saving, and making purchasing decisions. For people with cognitive or developmental disabilities, money management is o…
- Moneywork
- A term coined by sociologist Sandra Colavecchia and introduced to HCI by Perry and Ferreira, describing the often-invisible labour of managing personal and household finances. Moneywork includes pract…