Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
32 results found in Physical Accessibility.
- Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS, Audible Pedestrian Signal, Audible Traffic Signal)
- A device integrated into pedestrian signal systems at traffic intersections that communicates walk and don't-walk information to pedestrians who are blind or have low vision through audible tones, ver…
- Accessible Tourism (Inclusive Tourism, Tourism for All)
- The practice of ensuring that tourism destinations, products, and services are accessible to all people regardless of their physical, sensory, or cognitive abilities. Accessible tourism encompasses th…
- Accessible Transportation (Inclusive Transportation, Transportation Accessibility)
- Transportation systems, vehicles, infrastructure, and services designed to be usable by people with disabilities, including those with mobility, vision, hearing, and cognitive impairments. Accessible …
- Adaptive Seating (Specialized Seating, Custom Seating)
- Wheelchair seating systems and positioning devices customized to meet an individual's specific postural needs, providing support for the trunk, head, and limbs to enable optimal function and comfort. …
- Airport Accessibility
- The practices, technologies, policies, and physical design choices that enable travelers with disabilities to use airports independently and with dignity. In the United States, airport accessibility i…
- Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO, Ankle Brace, Foot Drop Brace)
- An external medical device that encompasses the ankle joint and all or part of the foot, designed to support the ankle and improve gait in people with muscle weakness, spasticity, or structural deform…
- Contemporary Dance Accessibility (Inclusive Dance, Accessible Dance)
- The practice of making contemporary dance learning, teaching, and performance accessible to people with disabilities, particularly those who are blind or have low vision. Unlike structured dance forms…
- Ergonomics (Human factors engineering)
- The scientific discipline concerned with understanding interactions between humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data, and methods to design in or…
- Grab Bar (Safety Rail, Support Bar, Handrail)
- A rigid, wall-mounted bar designed to provide support and stability for people who need assistance maintaining balance, transferring between positions, or preventing falls. Grab bars are most commonly…
- Gross Motor Skills (Large Motor Skills, Gross Motor Function)
- Motor skills involving large muscle groups that enable whole-body movements such as walking, running, jumping, climbing, and maintaining balance and posture. Unlike fine motor skills which involve pre…
- Home Accessibility Audit (Home Safety Assessment, Indoor Accessibility Assessment, HSSAT)
- A systematic evaluation of a residential space to identify barriers to access, safety hazards, and opportunities for modification to support people with disabilities, older adults, or families with yo…
- Indoor Accessibility (Home Accessibility, Domestic Accessibility)
- The degree to which indoor spaces — including homes, workplaces, and public buildings — can be safely and independently used by people with disabilities. Indoor accessibility encompasses physical feat…
- Kiosk Accessibility (Self-Service Kiosk Accessibility, Interactive Kiosk Accessibility)
- The practice of designing and implementing self-service kiosks and public digital terminals so they can be used by people with a wide range of abilities, including those with visual, hearing, motor, a…
- Mobility Aid (Mobility Device, Mobility Equipment)
- A mobility aid is any device designed to assist people with mobility impairments in moving from one place to another, including wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, canes, crutches, and powered scooters. …
- Motor Skills (Motor Abilities, Motor Function)
- The learned abilities to perform movements with accuracy, speed, and coordination. Motor skills are typically divided into gross motor skills (large muscle movements like walking, jumping, balance) an…
- Orthosis (Orthotic, Orthotic Device, Brace)
- An externally applied medical device used to modify the structural and functional characteristics of the neuromuscular and skeletal system. Orthoses support, align, prevent, or correct deformities and…
- Parcel Locker (Package Locker, Smart Locker, Delivery Locker)
- A self-service pickup cabinet where e-commerce parcels are deposited by couriers and retrieved by recipients using a code, QR scan, or mobile-app unlock. Parcel lockers are increasingly mandatory in a…
- Physical Accessibility (Physical Access, Architectural Accessibility)
- Physical accessibility refers to the design of buildings, environments, and public spaces so they can be independently used by people with physical disabilities, including those who use mobility aids.…
- Postural Support (Seating Support, Positioning Support)
- Equipment and strategies that help maintain a person's body in a stable, functional position for activities including communication, eating, and using assistive technology. Adequate postural support i…
- Prosthetics (Prostheses, Prosthetic Devices, Artificial Limbs)
- Artificial devices designed to replace missing body parts, most commonly limbs lost through amputation, congenital absence, or trauma. Modern prosthetics range from basic cosmetic devices to highly fu…