Glossary

Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.

6660 terms — page 297 of 333

Thematic Map (Statistical map)
A map designed to communicate a specific theme or statistical variable across a geographic region — population density, income, election results, climate, disease prevalence — rather than to depict ge…
Theory of Change (ToC, Logic Model)
An explicit articulation of how and why a planned intervention is expected to produce its intended outcomes - typically expressed as a chain linking inputs to activities, outputs, short- and long-term…
Theory of Mind (ToM, Mentalizing, Mind Reading)
The cognitive ability to attribute mental states—beliefs, intentions, desires, emotions, knowledge—to oneself and others, and to understand that others may have mental states different from one's own.…
Therapeutic Drift
A phenomenon in AI-mediated support contexts in which users begin to treat an emotionally supportive AI system as a substitute for professional clinical care or meaningful human relationships, rather …
Therapeutic Play (Play Therapy, Therapeutic Gaming)
The use of play activities, games, toys, or interactive technology as a medium for achieving therapeutic or rehabilitative goals in children. Unlike recreational play, therapeutic play is structured o…
Therapeutic VR (VR Therapy, Virtual Reality Therapy, VR-Based Intervention)
The use of virtual reality technology for therapeutic purposes, including rehabilitation, mental health treatment, skills training, and cognitive development. Therapeutic VR leverages immersive enviro…
Thermal Embosser (Thermal Swell Paper Printer)
A device that produces tactile graphics by heating speciality swell paper (also called microcapsule paper) to raise areas printed with dark ink or toner. The microcapsules embedded in the paper expand…
Thermo Pen (Thermal Pen, Heat Pen)
A specialized drawing instrument that produces heat at its tip, used in conjunction with swell paper (microcapsule paper) to create instant raised-line tactile graphics. When the thermo pen is drawn a…
Thermoform (Vacuum-Formed Plastic, Thermoform Duplicator)
A method of producing tactile images and braille copies by heating a thin sheet of plastic and vacuum-forming it over a master copy (typically an embossed original) to create a durable raised-line rep…
Thermoforming (Vacuum Forming, Thermoform)
A manufacturing process used to create tactile graphics by heating a plastic sheet and pressing it over a mould to form a raised surface. In accessibility contexts, thermoforming is one of several met…
Thermotactile Feedback (Thermal Feedback, Thermal Haptic Feedback, Thermotactile Display)
Thermotactile feedback is a form of haptic communication that conveys information through controlled temperature changes on the skin, using heating or cooling elements such as Peltier thermoelectric m…
Thingiverse
An online repository for sharing user-created digital design files, primarily for 3D printing. Thingiverse hosts a large collection of freely downloadable STL files, including many assistive technolog…
Think Aloud (Think-Aloud Protocol, Verbal Protocol, Concurrent Think Aloud)
A research methodology where participants verbalize their thoughts while performing a task, providing insight into cognitive processes that would otherwise be unobservable. In accessibility research, …
Think Aloud Protocol (Think-Aloud Method, Verbal Protocol Analysis, Thinking Aloud)
A usability testing method in which participants verbalize their thoughts, feelings, and decision-making processes while performing tasks with a system or interface. Developed for cognitive interface …
Think-Aloud (Think-Aloud Protocol, Verbal Protocol Analysis)
A research method in usability and accessibility testing where participants verbalize their thoughts, strategies, and reactions while performing tasks. Think-aloud protocols are particularly valuable …
Think-Aloud Protocol (Think Aloud, Verbal Protocol Analysis)
A usability research method in which participants verbalize their thoughts, reactions, and decision-making processes while interacting with a system or performing a task. Think-aloud protocols provide…
Third Wave Accessibility (Third Wave HCI Accessibility)
An approach to accessibility that considers the full context of people's lives rather than focusing narrowly on task completion or interface design. Third wave accessibility recognizes that technology…
Third place
A sociological concept coined by Ray Oldenburg describing informal social gathering spaces beyond the home (first place) and workplace (second place), such as cafes, parks, community centers, or clubs…
Third-Party Tracking (3rd-Party Tracking)
Tracking performed by a domain different from the one a user is visiting, typically via embedded scripts, ad networks, analytics tags, or browser extensions that phone home to external services. Third…
Thought Diffusion (Cognitive Defusion, Defusion)
A technique from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in which a person creates psychological distance from an intrusive thought by recognizing and naming it as simply a thought, rather than treating it …