Glossary

Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.

42 results found in Social Accessibility.

Loneliness (Perceived Social Isolation)
The subjective feeling of being alone or disconnected from others, regardless of the actual quantity of social contacts a person has. Loneliness differs from social isolation in that it reflects perce…
Minor Resistance (Everyday Resistance)
A concept describing the everyday, often subtle strategies that people use to exercise agency and push back against power structures that constrain their choices, particularly in the context of assist…
Neurotypical Norms (Neurotypical Standards, Normative Expectations)
Social, behavioural, and professional expectations that are based on neurotypical patterns of cognition, communication, and functioning, often embedded unconsciously in technology, workplace culture, …
Photo Sharing (Photograph Sharing, Image Sharing)
The activity of showing, distributing, or discussing photographs with others — in person, via email, or through social-networking platforms. As a social practice it conveys memories, experiences, and …
Power Dynamics in Accessibility (Access Power Relations)
The ways in which power operates within the systems that govern assistive technology provision, disability services, and access to accommodations. Power dynamics manifest through institutional gatekee…
Prosociality (Prosocial Behavior, Prosocial Behaviour)
Prosociality refers to voluntary behaviour intended to benefit others, including helping, sharing, comforting, and cooperating. In accessibility and dementia research, prosocial acts observed during g…
Recreational Accessibility (Leisure Accessibility)
The design and provision of recreational activities, spaces, and experiences that are inclusive of people with disabilities. Recreational accessibility extends beyond basic physical access to encompas…
Role-play (Role-playing, Roleplay)
A social behaviour in which a person treats a non-human or virtual agent as if it had a character, feelings, or agency — narrating its actions, giving it a name, addressing it in character, and ration…
Shared Reality (Shared Realities)
Shared reality is the experience of a common inner state - thoughts, feelings, or perceptions about an object or situation - between two or more people, established through communication and mutual ac…
Sighted People Interference (Sighted Interference)
A social barrier experienced by blind and visually impaired people when sighted individuals's reactions, interventions, or presence impede their independent activities in public spaces. This can inclu…
Social Agency
Social agency is the capacity to shape, initiate, and sustain one's social interactions - to contribute meaningfully to a group, express preferences, and influence shared activity. For people with cog…
Social Connectedness
The subjective experience of feeling close to and in touch with others, characterized by a sense of belonging, being cared for, and maintaining meaningful relationships. Social connectedness is distin…
Social Interaction (Social Communication, Interpersonal Interaction)
The process by which people act and react in relation to one another, including verbal conversation, non-verbal communication, and physical proximity. For people with disabilities, social interactions…
Social Isolation (Social Disconnection)
The objective lack of social contact and relationships, distinct from loneliness (the subjective feeling of being alone). Social isolation is a significant accessibility concern because it can both re…
Social Isolation (Social Disconnection)
A state characterized by a lack of meaningful social contacts, relationships, and community engagement. Social isolation is a significant public health concern among older adults and people with disab…
Social Marking (Stigma Marking, Social Visibility of Disability)
In accessibility contexts, social marking refers to the way assistive technologies or accommodations can draw unwanted attention to a person's disability, making their impairment visible in social sit…
Social Skills (Social Competence, Interpersonal Skills)
The abilities required for effective social interaction, including communication, cooperation, turn-taking, perspective-taking, reading social cues, and responding appropriately in social contexts. So…
Social Wayfinding (Social Navigation Assistance)
Social wayfinding refers to the capacity to perceive and navigate the dynamics of a social scene, not just its physical layout. It covers identifying who is present, where they are oriented, whether t…
Sociotechnical Systems (Sociotechnical Assemblage)
A framework for understanding technology as inseparable from the social practices, institutions, power structures, and cultural norms in which it is embedded. In accessibility research, a sociotechnic…
Subtle Interaction (Discreet interaction)
A design approach in which interactions with a device or digital system are intentionally minimized in visibility, amplitude, or audibility to reduce social disruption, preserve user privacy, and supp…