Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
87 results found in disability.
- Multiple Impairments (Multiple Disabilities, Complex Disabilities, Co-occurring Impairments)
- The presence of two or more concurrent impairments — such as sensory, cognitive, physical, or neurological — in a single individual that together create complex accessibility needs not adequately addr…
- Muscular Dystrophy (MD)
- A group of genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles. There are more than 30 types, including Duchenne, Becker, limb-girdle, and myotonic muscular…
- Neurodevelopmental Conditions (Neurodevelopmental Disorders, NDD)
- A group of conditions that affect brain development and function, typically emerging in early childhood. These include autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, and spe…
- Neurodivergent (Neurodiverse Individual, ND)
- A term describing individuals whose neurological development and functioning differ from what is considered typical or "neurotypical." Neurodivergent conditions include ADHD, autism spectrum disorder,…
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- A mental health condition affecting approximately 2% of the world population, characterized by recurrent, intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that cause significant anxiety, and repetitive behav…
- Overcompensation (Positive overcorrection, Debiasing overcorrection)
- In the context of AI bias and disability representation, overcompensation (also called positive overcorrection) refers to a failure mode in which a model's debiasing mechanisms over-adjust away from n…
- Peripheral Vision (Side Vision)
- Vision that occurs outside the center of gaze, encompassing the ability to see objects and movement to the sides, above, and below the point of fixation. Peripheral vision is important for spatial awa…
- Phantom Limb Pain (PLP)
- Phantom limb pain is a chronic pain condition in which an individual experiences painful sensations appearing to come from a limb (or other body part) that has been amputated or is no longer functiona…
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
- A form of dysautonomia defined by an excessive increase in heart rate upon standing, often accompanied by fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, and cognitive difficulties. POTS can significantly impact…
- Print Disability (Print Impairment)
- A condition that prevents a person from effectively reading standard printed material. Print disabilities include blindness, low vision, dyslexia, and physical disabilities that make it difficult to h…
- Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD, Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities, PIMD)
- Profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) refers to a combination of profound intellectual disability with additional physical, sensory, or health impairments that together create extremely c…
- Progressive Disability (Degenerative Condition, Progressive Condition)
- A disability or condition that worsens over time, requiring adaptive strategies and technologies that can evolve with changing abilities. Progressive disabilities such as dementia, multiple sclerosis,…
- Psychosocial Disability (Psychosocial Impairment)
- A disability that stems from diverse mental, cognitive, or emotional experiences that lead to impairment and experienced barriers in social participation. Psychosocial disabilities include conditions …
- Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia)
- Paralysis affecting all four limbs and typically the torso, usually resulting from spinal cord injury at the cervical (neck) level, or from conditions like ALS or muscular dystrophy. The degree of imp…
- Quality of Life Framework (QoL Framework, WHOQOL)
- A structured approach to measuring and understanding an individual's overall well-being across multiple domains including physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, environment, …
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- A chronic autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation, pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints, particularly in the hands, wrists, and fingers. Rheumatoid arthritis can significantly affect a per…
- Sensory Disability (Sensory Impairment)
- A disability that affects one or more of the senses — most commonly vision and hearing, but also including touch, taste, and smell. Sensory disabilities encompass conditions such as blindness, low vis…
- Sensory Impairment (Sensory Disability)
- A broad term encompassing conditions that affect the senses, primarily vision and hearing. Sensory impairments include blindness, low vision, deafness, and being hard of hearing, each presenting disti…
- Situational Disability (Situational Impairment, Situational Limitation, SIID)
- A temporary reduction in ability caused by a person's environment or context rather than a permanent condition. Examples include difficulty reading a screen in bright sunlight (visual), being unable t…
- Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN)
- A condition involving damage to small somatic and autonomic nerve fibers, resulting in burning pain, sensory disturbances, and autonomic dysfunction. SFN can make everyday tasks that involve gripping,…