Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
30 results found in Motor Disability.
- Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS)
- A rare progressive neurological disease affecting the upper motor neurons, causing weakness and stiffness in the voluntary muscles, particularly in the legs, arms, and tongue. Unlike amyotrophic later…
- Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI, Repetitive Strain Injury, Repetitive Motion Injury, Cumulative Trauma Disorder)
- A group of conditions caused by repetitive movements, forceful exertions, or sustained awkward postures over extended periods, resulting in damage to muscles, tendons, nerves, or other soft tissues. I…
- Spasm (Muscle Spasm, Spasticity)
- A sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of muscles that can cause uncontrolled movement or a temporary inability to move. Spasms are common in conditions such as cerebral palsy, spinal …
- Spastic Cerebral Palsy (Spastic CP)
- The most common subtype of cerebral palsy, characterised by stiff or tight muscles (hypertonia) and exaggerated reflexes, caused by damage to the motor cortex or corticospinal tracts of the developing…
- Spastic Quadriplegia (Spastic Tetraplegia)
- The most severe subtype of spastic cerebral palsy, characterised by stiff, tight muscles (spasticity) and significantly reduced voluntary movement in all four limbs and often the trunk. People with sp…
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease characterized by degeneration of spinal cord motor neurons, atrophy of skeletal muscles, and generalized weakness. Aff…
- Switch Keyboard (Scanning Keyboard, On-Screen Scanning Keyboard)
- A switch keyboard is a virtual keyboard interface designed for people with severe motor disabilities who cannot use a standard keyboard or pointing device. It works through a scanning mechanism: a cur…
- Tetraparesis (Quadriparesis)
- Partial weakness or reduced voluntary movement affecting all four limbs, commonly caused by cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, or neuromuscular disease. Tetraparesis sits on a spectrum with tetrapleg…
- Upper-Limb Amputation (Upper Limb Amputation, Arm Amputation)
- The surgical or traumatic removal of all or part of an arm — including transhumeral (above elbow), transradial (below elbow), wrist disarticulation, and partial-hand levels. People with upper-limb amp…
- Upper-Limb Prosthetic (Upper Limb Prosthesis, Arm Prosthetic, Hand Prosthetic)
- A prosthetic device that replaces or augments part or all of a missing upper limb — fingers, hand, wrist, forearm, or full arm. Upper-limb prosthetics range from passive cosmetic devices and body-powe…