Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
154 results found in interaction design.
- Just-in-Time Prompting (Trigger-Based Prompting, On-Demand Visual Check)
- A prompting technique for voice and video-capable AI models where the user pre-configures the AI with a role and task description, then uses a trigger phrase (such as "check now") to initiate an on-de…
- Keyboard Accessibility (Keyboard Navigation, Keyboard Operability)
- The principle and practice of ensuring that all functionality of a website, application, or digital interface can be accessed and operated using only a keyboard, without requiring a mouse, touchscreen…
- Kinematic Chain Theory (Guiard's Kinematic Chain, Asymmetric Division of Labor)
- A theoretical framework developed by Yves Guiard describing how the two hands work together in bimanual tasks. The theory distinguishes between symmetric interactions (both hands perform the same move…
- Level of Detail (LOD)
- A technique in computer graphics and information design where the amount of detail presented varies based on context, typically distance or user interaction. In 3-D environments, objects farther from …
- List-Based Interface (List View, Linear Interface)
- An interface layout that presents information as a sequential list rather than in a grid, table, or spatial layout. In accessibility contexts, list-based interfaces are generally more screen reader-fr…
- Locomotion (VR Locomotion)
- Methods by which users navigate and move through virtual environments in VR. Common locomotion techniques include free-roam (physical walking that maps to virtual movement), joystick-based continuous …
- Locomotion Technique (VR Locomotion, Virtual Travel Technique)
- A locomotion technique is a method for navigating or moving through a virtual environment in virtual reality (VR). Because physical space is limited and many users are seated, locomotion techniques si…
- Magnification inset (Magnified inset view, Zoom inset)
- A user interface element that displays a magnified view of a specific region of content within a smaller window overlaid on the original view. Unlike full-screen magnification, an inset preserves the …
- Midas Touch Effect (Midas Touch Problem)
- An interaction design challenge in touch-based and gesture-based interfaces where the system cannot distinguish between intentional activation commands and incidental or exploratory touches. Named aft…
- Mixed-Initiative Design (Mixed-Initiative Interaction)
- An interaction design approach in which both the system and the user can take initiative in directing the flow of interaction, rather than one party being entirely in control. In accessibility context…
- Mixed-Initiative Interaction (Mixed-Initiative Systems, Human-Agent Collaboration)
- An interaction paradigm in which both the human user and the computer system can take initiative in directing the task, rather than one party being entirely in control. In accessibility contexts, mixe…
- Modal Dialog (Modal Window, Dialog Box)
- A user interface element that appears on top of the main content and requires user interaction before returning to the underlying page. In accessibility, modal dialogs must properly manage keyboard fo…
- Motion-Based AAC (Physical Expressive AAC, Expressive Sidekick)
- An emerging form of augmentative and alternative communication that uses physical movement of objects or robotic devices to convey nonverbal communicative intent during conversations. Unlike tradition…
- Multi-Sensory Feedback (Multimodal Feedback, Cross-Modal Feedback)
- The simultaneous or coordinated use of multiple sensory channels—such as audio, haptic, visual, and sometimes olfactory or thermal—to convey information to a user. Multi-sensory feedback is a key acce…
- Multimodal Alert System (Multi-Sensory Alert, Multimodal Notification)
- A notification system that communicates alerts through multiple sensory channels simultaneously, such as combining audio, visual, and haptic signals. Multimodal alert systems are critical for accessib…
- Multimodal Communication (Multi-Modal Communication)
- The use of multiple channels and resources simultaneously during interaction, including speech, gesture, gaze, facial expression, body movement, writing, drawing, and physical artifacts. All human com…
- Multimodal Feedback (Multi-Sensory Feedback)
- The simultaneous or coordinated use of multiple sensory channels — such as auditory, tactile, and visual — to convey information to a user. In accessibility, multimodal feedback is essential for creat…
- Multimodal Interaction (Multimodal Interface)
- An interaction approach that combines multiple input and output modalities—such as voice, touch, keyboard, gestures, and visual/audio feedback—to support flexible, accessible user experiences. In acce…
- Multimodal Interface (Multimodal Interaction, Multi-Modal UI)
- A multimodal interface is a system that communicates with users through multiple sensory channels simultaneously, such as speech, haptic feedback, sound, vibration, and visual output. In accessible na…
- Multimodal Output (Multi-Modal Output, Cross-Modal Output)
- The simultaneous presentation of information through multiple sensory channels or formats, such as audio, visual, tactile, and text-to-speech, allowing users to choose the modality or combination of m…