Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
89 results found in input methods.
- Pointing Task (Target Acquisition Task, Fitts' Task)
- A fundamental human-computer interaction task in which users move a cursor (via mouse, touchpad, finger, or other input device) to click or tap on a target. Pointing tasks are governed by Fitts' Law, …
- Predictive Text (Text Prediction, Word Prediction, Autocomplete)
- A software feature that suggests words or phrases as the user types, based on context, language models, and the user's typing history. Predictive text is a significant accessibility feature for people…
- Row-Column Scanning (RCS, Grid Scanning, Two-Switch Scanning)
- The most widely used single-switch selection method for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices and on-screen keyboards. Options are arranged in a two-dimensional grid, and the interf…
- Scanning (Switch Scanning, Sequential Scanning)
- An input method used in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) that allows users with severe motor impairments to make selections using one or more switches. The system sequentially highligh…
- Scanning Delay (Tscan, Scan Rate, Dwell Time)
- The time interval a scanning system waits before automatically advancing to highlight the next item. Setting scanning delay appropriately is critical for switch access users: too short causes selectio…
- Scanning System (Automatic Scanning, Group Scanning, Row-Column Scanning)
- An assistive technology input method in which selectable items are sequentially highlighted on screen, and the user activates a switch (or other simple input) when the desired item is highlighted. Sca…
- Screen-Free Editing (Screenless Editing, Eyes-Free Editing)
- Text editing that does not require visual interaction with or physical contact with a device screen. Screen-free editing approaches use alternative input methods such as mid-air gestures, voice comman…
- Screenless Interaction (Screen-Free Interaction, Displayless Interaction)
- Interaction with digital systems that does not require a visual display, enabling users to operate devices while untethered from screens. For people who are blind, screenless interaction eliminates th…
- Single-Switch Access (One-switch access, Single switch scanning)
- An input method that allows users to control a computer, AAC device, or other technology using only one switch or button. Users with severe motor impairments who cannot operate a keyboard, mouse, or t…
- Sip-and-Puff (Sip and Puff Switch, Pneumatic Switch)
- An assistive technology input device that detects air pressure changes from a user sipping (inhaling) or puffing (exhaling) through a straw or tube to generate control signals. Sip-and-puff systems ar…
- Smartwatch Interaction (Watch-Based Interaction)
- The methods and techniques used to interact with smartwatch devices, including touch gestures on the small screen, physical button and crown inputs, and motion-based gestures detected by onboard senso…
- Soft Keyboard (On-screen Keyboard, Virtual Keyboard, OSK)
- A keyboard displayed on a screen that is operated by a pointing device (mouse, touch, head tracker, eye gaze, or switch) rather than physical key presses. Soft keyboards are essential assistive techno…
- Steady Tapping
- The ability to place a finger on a touchscreen target and hold it still long enough for the system to register a deliberate tap, as opposed to the unintentional movements caused by hand tremor. For us…
- Stenotype (Stenography, Shorthand Typing, Machine Shorthand, Chording)
- A specialised text-entry method that uses a keyboard with fewer keys than a standard QWERTY layout, where multiple keys are pressed simultaneously (chording) to represent phonetic sounds, syllables, o…
- Sticky Keys (Sequential Key Entry)
- An operating system accessibility feature that allows users to press modifier keys (Shift, Ctrl, Alt, Command) sequentially rather than simultaneously, making keyboard shortcuts accessible to people w…
- Switch Access (Switch Control, Switch Scanning)
- A method of computer and device interaction that uses one or more switches as input devices, designed for people who cannot use standard keyboards, mice, or touchscreens due to motor impairments. Swit…
- Symbrachydactyly
- A rare congenital condition in which a child is born with abnormally short fingers that may be webbed, misshapen, or missing. The name combines "sym" (joined), "brachy" (short), and "dactyly" (finger)…
- Text Entry (Text Input, Text Generation)
- The process of entering text into a computer or communication device, encompassing the full range of input methods from standard keyboards to alternative approaches used in assistive technology such a…
- Throughput (Throughput (Fitts), Pointing Throughput)
- In human-computer interaction, throughput is a combined speed-accuracy metric derived from Fitts's law that measures the efficiency of aimed pointing movements, expressed in bits per second (bps). It …
- Touch Accessibility (Touchscreen Accessibility)
- The design and adaptation of touch-based interfaces to be usable by people with diverse motor, sensory, and cognitive abilities. Touch accessibility addresses challenges including insufficient target …