Glossary

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Agrammatic Aphasia(also: Agrammatism, Non-fluent Aphasia)

A type of non-fluent aphasia characterised by difficulty with sentence structure and grammar, while word selection is relatively preserved. People with agrammatic aphasia typically produce short, effortful utterances that omit function words (such as articles, prepositions, and…

Arthritis

A group of conditions involving inflammation of the joints, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion. The most common forms are osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune condition). Arthritis significantly impacts…

Attention Deficit(also: Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

A cognitive condition characterised by difficulty sustaining focus, filtering distractions, and maintaining concentration on tasks. Attention deficits are common following traumatic brain injuries and are the defining feature of conditions such as ADD and ADHD. In accessibility,…

Bipolar Disorder(also: BD, Manic-Depressive Illness)

A group of brain disorders that cause extreme fluctuations in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of mania (elevated mood, increased activity, reduced need for sleep) and depression (persistent sadness, low energy, loss of…

Borderline Personality Disorder(also: BPD)

A mental health condition characterized by extreme fluctuations in mood, energy, and ability to function, along with patterns of unstable relationships, distorted self-image, and intense emotional responses. People with BPD may experience impulsive behavior, chronic feelings of…

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(also: CFS, ME/CFS, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)

A complex, long-term condition characterised by profound fatigue not relieved by rest, post-exertional malaise, cognitive difficulties ("brain fog"), and often sleep disturbance and pain. CFS is an invisible and episodic disability: symptoms and capacity fluctuate day-to-day,…

Communication Impairment(also: CI, Communication Disorder, Communication Disability)

Damage to brain functions responsible for language and memory that impairs the expression and understanding of spoken and written language. Communication impairments can result from neurological disease, stroke, or acquired brain injury, and include conditions such as aphasia…

Developmental Disability(also: DD, Developmental Disabilities)

A group of conditions arising from impairments in physical, learning, language, or behavioral areas that begin during the developmental period, typically before age 22, and are expected to be lifelong. Developmental disabilities include intellectual disability, autism spectrum…

Dexterity(also: Fine Motor Control, Manual Dexterity)

The ability to perform precise, coordinated movements with the hands and fingers, including gripping, pinching, typing, and manipulating small objects. Dexterity is distinct from gross motor function (large body movements) and varies widely among individuals with motor…

Existential OCD

A non-standardized but clinically recognized subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) characterized by obsessions about the nature of reality, consciousness, free will, mortality, or the fate of humanity. In the GenAI era, existential OCD commonly presents as intrusive…

Hearing Impairment(also: Hearing Loss, Hard of Hearing)

A partial or total inability to hear sounds in one or both ears, ranging from mild to profound. Hearing impairment can be congenital or acquired, and may worsen with age (presbycusis). In digital accessibility, hearing impairment necessitates alternatives to audio content such…

Intrusive Thoughts(also: Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts)

Unwanted, distressing thoughts, urges, or images that enter a person’s mind involuntarily and are typically experienced as ego-dystonic (contrary to the person’s values or intentions). Intrusive thoughts are the defining feature of the obsessions in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder…

Macular Dystrophy(also: Macular Degeneration)

A group of inherited eye conditions that cause progressive damage to the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. Macular dystrophies, including Stargardt disease, result in reduced central vision while peripheral vision is typically…

Mental Health(also: Mental Well-Being, Psychological Health)

A state of well-being encompassing emotional, psychological, and social functioning, in which an individual can cope with normal stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to their community. Mental health conditions — including anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar…

Muscle Atrophy(also: Muscular Atrophy)

A condition involving the wasting or loss of muscle tissue, resulting in decreased muscle strength and endurance. Muscle atrophy can occur due to disuse, neurological conditions, or disease, and often affects an individual's ability to perform daily tasks independently. In the…

OCD Accommodation(also: Family Accommodation)

A behavior — typically by family, friends, or clinicians — that participates in or enables a person with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) to complete a compulsion, for example by providing reassurance, hearing a confession, or making a decision on their behalf. Although…

OCD Cycle

A four-step clinical model describing how Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is maintained: an obsession (intrusive thought, urge, or image) triggers a feeling of distress, which the person attempts to relieve through a compulsion (a behavior or mental act), producing temporary…

Optic Nerve Hypoplasia(also: ONH)

A congenital condition in which the optic nerve is underdeveloped, resulting in varying degrees of vision loss from mild visual impairment to complete blindness. It is one of the most common causes of visual impairment in children. People with optic nerve hypoplasia may…

Primary Progressive Aphasia(also: PPA)

A neurodegenerative condition in which language abilities gradually deteriorate over time, in contrast to stroke-induced aphasia which occurs suddenly and may improve with therapy. Primary Progressive Aphasia is caused by progressive damage to brain areas responsible for…

Quadriplegia(also: Tetraplegia)

A condition involving paralysis or significant loss of motor function in all four limbs and the torso, typically resulting from spinal cord injury at the cervical level, neurological disease, or congenital conditions. Quadriplegia profoundly affects how individuals interact with…

Reassurance Robot

A term coined by Grace Barkhuff (CHI 2026) to describe generative AI systems — such as ChatGPT — that, by default, provide reassurance, confession-hearing, and decision-making on demand, thereby accommodating the compulsions of people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).…

Scrupulosity(also: Moral OCD, Religious OCD)

A subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) characterized by obsessions about having violated moral, ethical, or religious standards — for example, fear of having sinned, of having been dishonest, or of unintentionally supporting something the person believes is wrong.…

Severe Speech Impairment(also: SSI)

A significant limitation in the ability to produce intelligible speech, often resulting from neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, or stroke. People with severe speech impairments may have little or no functional speech, making it difficult or…

Synaesthesia(also: Synesthesia)

Synaesthesia is a perceptual phenomenon in which a stimulus in one sensory modality automatically and involuntarily triggers an additional experience in a different modality or sub-modality - for example, seeing specific colours when hearing musical notes (chromesthesia),…

Upper-Limb Amputation(also: Upper Limb Amputation, Arm Amputation)

The surgical or traumatic removal of all or part of an arm — including transhumeral (above elbow), transradial (below elbow), wrist disarticulation, and partial-hand levels. People with upper-limb amputation may use body-powered or myoelectric prostheses, or may choose no…

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