Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
89 results found in input methods.
- Grasp Recognition
- Technology that detects and interprets how a user holds, grips, or manipulates objects, typically through sensors in VR controllers or camera-based hand tracking. In VR accessibility, grasp recognitio…
- Hand Tracking (Gesture Tracking, Hand Gesture Recognition)
- A technology that detects and tracks the position, orientation, and movements of a user's hands and fingers without requiring physical controllers, typically using cameras and computer vision algorith…
- Hands-Free Interaction (Hands-Free Computing, No-Hands Input, Hands-free, Hands-free Computing)
- The ability to operate digital devices and interfaces without using the hands, typically through voice commands, eye tracking, head movements, foot controls, or brain-computer interfaces. Hands-free i…
- Head Tracking (Head Movement Tracking, Head-Controlled Input, Head Tracker)
- An assistive technology input method that translates natural head movements into computer cursor control or other input actions. Head tracking systems use cameras, infrared sensors, or depth sensors t…
- Head-based Pointing (Head Tracking, Head Mouse, Head-controlled Input)
- An alternative input method that allows users to control an on-screen cursor by moving their head, typically tracked via a camera, infrared sensor, or inertial measurement unit. Head-based pointing is…
- Input Modality (Interaction Modality, Input Method)
- A distinct channel or method through which a user provides input to a computing system, such as touch, voice, gesture, gaze, or keyboard interaction. In accessibility contexts, supporting multiple inp…
- Input Rate (Keystroke Rate)
- The speed at which a user can produce individual keystrokes or character inputs, typically measured in seconds per keystroke. Input rate varies dramatically across access methods: touch typists may ac…
- Isometric Gesture (Isometric Contraction Gesture)
- An isometric gesture is a gesture in which a person activates their muscles without producing visible movement — the body position remains static while muscle tension changes. This contrasts with isot…
- Keyboard Navigation (Keyboard Access, Keyboard Operability)
- The ability to use all features and functions of a website, application, or software using only the keyboard, without requiring a mouse or other pointing device. Keyboard navigation is essential for p…
- Linear Scanning (Row-column scanning, Automatic scanning)
- An input method for AAC devices and on-screen keyboards where selections are highlighted sequentially, typically row by row and then item by item, allowing users with severe motor impairments to selec…
- Microswitch (Micro-switch, Assistive Switch)
- A small, sensitive switch used in assistive technology that can be activated by minimal physical movement such as a light touch, head turn, or muscle contraction. Microswitches are used to provide env…
- Mid-Air Gesture (In-Air Gesture, Free-Space Gesture)
- A hand or arm movement performed in three-dimensional space, away from any surface, that is recognized by sensors as a command input. Mid-air gestures can be detected using cameras, depth sensors, or …
- Midas Touch Problem (Midas Touch Effect)
- The Midas Touch problem is a well-known challenge in gaze-based and dwell-time-based computer interfaces where everything the user looks at or pauses the cursor over is interpreted as a selection comm…
- Motion Sensor (Motion Detection, Gesture Sensor)
- A device that detects physical movement in its environment, often by tracking body position, joint angles, or gestures. In accessibility and assistive technology, motion sensors enable touchless inter…
- Motor Imagery (MI, Mental Practice, Imagined Movement)
- The mental rehearsal or imagination of physical movement without actual motor execution. In brain-computer interfaces, motor imagery typically involves imagining left-hand or right-hand movements, whi…
- Multimodal Input (Multimodal Interaction, Multi-modal Input)
- An interaction approach that allows users to communicate with computing devices or systems through multiple input channels — such as touch, voice, eye gaze, head movement, facial expressions, hand ges…
- Multimodal Text Editing (Multimodal Editing)
- A text editing approach that combines multiple input modalities—such as gestures, voice commands, and touch—to enable more efficient and accessible text correction. For users with disabilities, multim…
- On-body Input (Skin-based Input, Body-based Interaction)
- An interaction technique that uses the surface of the user's own body — typically the hand, arm, or other skin areas — as an input surface for controlling digital devices. On-body input is sensed thro…
- Pen Input (Stylus Input, Pen-Based Input)
- An input method using a pen or stylus to interact with a computing device, typically through direct manipulation on a touchscreen or digitizer. Pen input offers advantages for users with certain motor…
- Perceptual User Interface (PUI, Natural User Interface)
- A human-computer interaction paradigm that uses natural human capabilities such as vision, speech, gestures, and body movement as input modalities rather than relying on traditional devices like keybo…