Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
69 results found in motor accessibility.
- Fat Finger Problem (Fat Finger Effect, Finger Occlusion)
- A fundamental challenge in touchscreen interaction where the user's finger is larger than the target being selected, causing difficulty in precise target acquisition. The finger both occludes (blocks …
- Fine Motor Function (Fine Motor Control, Fine Motor Skills, LFMF)
- The ability to make precise, coordinated movements using the small muscles of the hands and fingers. Fine motor function is essential for touch screen interaction, including tapping specific targets, …
- Fine Motor Skills (Fine Motor Control, Dexterity)
- The ability to make precise, coordinated movements using the small muscles of the hands, fingers, and wrists. Fine motor skills are essential for tasks such as typing, using a mouse, performing touch …
- Fitts' Law (Fitts Law)
- A predictive model of human movement that describes the time required to rapidly move to a target area as a function of the distance to the target and the target's size. Formulated by psychologist Pau…
- Fitts's Law (Fitts Law)
- Fitts's law is a predictive model of human movement that describes the time required to rapidly move to a target area as a function of the distance to the target and the target's size. Widely used in …
- Fitts's Law (Fitts Law, Fitts' Law)
- A predictive model of human movement that describes the time required to rapidly move to a target area as a function of the distance to the target and the target's size. Smaller and more distant targe…
- Foot-Based Interaction (Foot Input, Foot Gesture Interaction)
- An interaction technique that uses foot movements and gestures as input for controlling digital devices. Foot-based interaction is particularly relevant for people with upper body motor impairments wh…
- Force-sensitive resistor (FSR, Pressure sensor)
- An electronic sensor whose electrical resistance changes in response to applied physical pressure, enabling detection of both the presence and intensity of touch or force. In accessibility application…
- Gaze Interaction (Gaze-Based Interaction, Gaze Input, Eye Gaze Control)
- Gaze interaction is a method of controlling computers and devices by tracking where a person is looking on the screen. Using eye-tracking technology, the system detects the user's point of gaze and tr…
- Gesture Elicitation (User-Defined Gestures)
- Gesture elicitation is a participatory design method where end users are asked to invent gestures for a set of device functions, rather than having gestures predetermined by designers or engineers. Pa…
- Gesture-based interaction (Gestural interface, Touchless interaction)
- An interaction modality where users control technology through body movements, hand gestures, or postures detected by sensors such as depth cameras, rather than through traditional input devices like …
- Gravity Well (Target Attraction, Sticky Targets, Snap-to-Target)
- An interaction filtering technique that warps the cursor space around interactive targets (such as buttons or links), creating attractive basins that pull the cursor toward the nearest target. This ma…
- Head Pointer (Head Mouse, Head Tracking Device)
- An assistive technology input device that translates head movements into cursor movements on screen, allowing people who cannot use their hands or arms to control a computer. Head pointers can be phys…
- Head Wand (Head Pointer, Head Stick, Mouth Stick)
- A head wand is an assistive input device consisting of a pointer attached to a headband or held in the mouth, allowing people with limited or no hand and arm function to operate a keyboard, touchscree…
- 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 Exertion (Input Effort, Interaction Cost)
- The physical and cognitive effort required to provide input to a digital system, including keystrokes, mouse movements, taps, and voice commands. For people with motor impairments, input exertion is a…
- 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…
- Joystick (Adaptive Joystick)
- A joystick is an input device with a lever that tilts in multiple directions to control cursor movement on screen, used as an alternative pointing device by people with motor impairments who have diff…
- 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…
- 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…