Adaptable system

A system that can be configured using prior knowledge before use, as opposed to an adaptive system which changes dynamically during use. In accessibility, adaptable systems allow users or administrators to set preferences in advance — for example, selecting a high contrast theme, choosing a preferred language, or configuring font sizes before interacting with content. The distinction between adaptable and adaptive is important: an adaptable system requires the user (or someone acting on their behalf) to know what they need and configure it explicitly, while an adaptive system detects needs and responds automatically. Most current accessibility features on the web are adaptable rather than adaptive — users must find and activate settings themselves.