Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
18 results found in Mobility.
- Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO)
- A lower-limb orthosis that supports the ankle and foot, typically prescribed to control foot drop, improve toe clearance during swing, and stabilise the ankle during stance. AFOs come in solid, hinged…
- Gait Cycle (Walking cycle)
- The repeating pattern of leg movement during walking, defined from one foot contact with the ground to the next contact of the same foot. The cycle is divided into two main phases: the stance phase (f…
- Genu Recurvatum (Knee hyperextension)
- Backward bending of the knee beyond its normal straight position during standing or stance phase of gait. Genu recurvatum is often caused by hamstring weakness, quadriceps spasticity, or proprioceptiv…
- Guide Dog (Seeing Eye Dog, Service Dog, Dog Guide)
- A specially trained assistance animal that helps blind or visually impaired individuals navigate their environment safely. Guide dogs are trained to avoid obstacles, stop at curbs and steps, and navig…
- Knee Buckling (Knee giving way)
- A sudden loss of knee stability during weight-bearing in which the knee flexes involuntarily, often causing the person to stumble or fall. Knee buckling is commonly caused by quadriceps weakness, neur…
- Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis (KAFO)
- A lower-limb orthosis that spans the knee, ankle, and foot to provide weight-bearing support and prevent knee buckling or hyperextension in people with significant leg weakness or paralysis - commonly…
- Manual Wheelchair (Self-propelled wheelchair)
- A wheelchair propelled by the user pushing on handrims attached to the rear wheels, or by an attendant pushing from behind. Manual wheelchairs are the most common type of wheelchair used for personal …
- Pedestrian Navigation (Pedestrian Wayfinding, On-Foot Navigation)
- Pedestrian navigation refers to wayfinding and route-following on foot in outdoor environments, including sidewalks, crosswalks, public transit access points, and shared streets. For blind and low vis…
- Power Assist Device (Power assist wheel, Pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchair, PAPAW)
- A motorized attachment that adds electric propulsion assistance to a manual wheelchair without converting it into a full power wheelchair. Power assist devices typically attach to the wheelchair frame…
- Power-Assist Add-On (Power Assist, Power-Assist Device, Wheelchair Power Assist)
- A power-assist add-on is a retrofit device attached to a manual wheelchair that provides motorized propulsion while preserving the chair's manual structure, offering a middle ground between manual and…
- Powered Wheelchair (Electric Wheelchair, Motorized Wheelchair, Power Chair)
- A wheelchair propelled by an electric motor and battery system rather than manual effort, typically controlled via a joystick or alternative input device. Powered wheelchairs are essential mobility ai…
- Reacher (Grabber, Reacher-Grabber, Grabber Tool)
- A reacher (also called a grabber or reacher-grabber) is a low-cost handheld assistive device — typically a lightweight aluminum or plastic shaft 60-90 cm long with a trigger handle at one end and a pa…
- Rollator (Wheeled Walker, Rolling Walker)
- A walking frame equipped with wheels, handbrakes, and typically a built-in seat, designed to provide stability and support for people with mobility difficulties. Unlike standard walkers that must be l…
- Scoliosis
- A structural condition in which the spine develops a sideways curvature, often in an 'S' or 'C' shape. Scoliosis ranges from mild curves requiring only monitoring to severe cases that can affect postu…
- Shared Mobility (Shared Transportation)
- Transportation services in which vehicles, rides, or trips are shared among multiple users, including ridesharing (Uber, Lyft), carsharing (Zipcar), bikesharing, scooter-sharing, microtransit, and — i…
- Sidewalk Accessibility (Pedestrian Accessibility, Walkway Accessibility)
- Sidewalk accessibility refers to the degree to which pedestrian pathways and related infrastructure — including sidewalks, curb ramps, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals — can be safely and independen…
- Stance-Control Orthosis (Stance-control KAFO, SCO, Stance-control knee-ankle-foot orthosis)
- A class of knee-ankle-foot orthoses that lock the knee during the stance (weight-bearing) phase of gait to prevent buckling, but unlock it during the swing phase to allow natural knee flexion. Stance-…
- Wheelchair-Accessible Taxi (WAT, Wheelchair Taxi, Accessible Taxi)
- A taxi or on-demand vehicle fitted with a ramp or lift and interior tie-down points that allow a passenger to travel while seated in their wheelchair. Wheelchair-accessible taxis are a core component …