Glossary

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Self-Disclosure Statement(also: SDS)

A short first-person text in which a creator, researcher, or performer reveals personal information about their identity, background, training, and motivations for producing a piece of work. Self-disclosure statements are used in academic positionality writing, healthcare…

Severe Speech and Motor Impairment(also: SSMI)

A condition where an individual has significant limitations in both spoken communication and physical movement, often co-occurring in conditions such as cerebral palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or traumatic brain injury. People with SSMI typically rely on…

Shared Reality(also: Shared Realities)

Shared reality is the experience of a common inner state - thoughts, feelings, or perceptions about an object or situation - between two or more people, established through communication and mutual acknowledgement. In dementia care and accessibility research, sustaining shared…

Sign Language

A visual-gestural language system that uses hand shapes, movements, body language, and facial expressions to convey meaning. Sign languages are complete, natural languages with their own grammar and vocabulary and are not visual representations of spoken languages. There are…

Sign Language Interpretation(also: Sign Language Interpreting, SLI)

The process of conveying spoken or written language into a sign language (or vice versa) by a trained interpreter, enabling communication access for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. In digital media and immersive environments, sign language interpretation is typically…

Sign Language Interpreter(also: SLI, Interpreter)

A professional who facilitates communication between Deaf or hard of hearing individuals and hearing individuals by translating between a sign language and a spoken language. Interpreters must be fluent in both languages and understand the cultural norms of both communities. In…

Sign Language Processing(also: SLP, Sign Language Technology)

A field of artificial intelligence and computer science focused on developing computational systems that can understand, generate, and translate sign languages. Sign language processing encompasses sign language recognition (detecting and interpreting signs from video input),…

Sign Language Recognition(also: SLR, Automatic Sign Recognition)

A computer vision and machine learning task focused on automatically detecting and classifying signs from video input. Sign language recognition ranges from isolated sign recognition (identifying individual signs) to continuous sign recognition (interpreting sequences of signs…

Sign Language Translation(also: SLT, Sign-to-Text Translation, Sign-to-Speech Translation)

The task of converting between a sign language and a spoken or written language, in either direction. Sign-to-spoken/written translation (e.g., ASL to English) involves recognizing signs from video and producing equivalent text or speech. Spoken/written-to-sign translation…

Sign Language Video(also: Sign Language Interpretation Video)

Pre-recorded or live video content presenting information in sign language, used to augment or replace written text for deaf and hard of hearing users. In reading support contexts, sign language videos have been explored as visual augmentations to text, providing sign…

Sign language translation(also: SLT, Sign-to-text translation)

The automatic conversion of sign language video into written or spoken language text using machine learning. Unlike sign language recognition, which identifies individual signs or glosses, sign language translation produces fluent natural language output that accounts for the…

Signed English(also: SE, Manually Coded English)

Signed English (SE) is an artificial sign system that represents English words and grammar using manual signs, following English word order and syntax rather than the grammar of a natural sign language. Unlike natural sign languages such as British Sign Language (BSL) or…

Single-Message AAC Device(also: BIGmack, Single-Switch Communicator, Voice Output Communication Aid)

A simple augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device that records and plays back a single message when activated, typically via a large button or switch. Examples include the BIGmack Switch and similar products. These devices are often used as introductory AAC tools…

Social Communication(also: Social-Communication, Pragmatic Communication)

The use of language and nonverbal behavior in social contexts, encompassing skills such as taking turns in conversation, adjusting communication style based on the listener or situation, understanding nonliteral language, and interpreting social cues. Difficulties with social…

Social Engagement(also: Social Participation)

The active involvement of a person in social interaction with others - making eye contact, attending to a partner, taking turns, responding to bids for attention, and sustaining shared activity. Social engagement is a foundation for communication and peer interaction, and…

Social Interaction(also: Social Communication, Interpersonal Interaction)

The process by which people act and react in relation to one another, including verbal conversation, non-verbal communication, and physical proximity. For people with disabilities, social interactions can be significantly affected — for example, individuals who are blind may…

Social Media

Networked digital platforms — including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, LINE, WhatsApp, and similar services — that enable users to create, share, and discuss content with others. For accessibility, social media raises questions about platform-level support for assistive technology…

Social Presence(also: Co-Presence, Telepresence)

The sense of being together with another person in a mediated environment, whether through video conferencing, virtual reality, or other communication technologies. In accessibility contexts, social presence is crucial for remote therapy, telerehabilitation, and virtual support…

Social Story(also: Social Stories, Social Narrative)

A brief, personalized narrative written to help individuals with autism or other developmental disabilities understand and navigate social situations, transitions, or new experiences. Social stories are typically written from the first-person perspective and include photographs…

Speaking Behavior(also: Speaker Behavior, Speech Behavior)

In accessibility and HCI research, the observable communicative behaviors a speaker exhibits during conversation — including speech rate, voice intensity (loudness), articulation clarity (including hyperarticulation or over-enunciation), eye contact, gesturing, and pausing.…

Speech Acts Theory(also: Speech Act Theory, Illocutionary Acts)

A theory from the philosophy of language, originally developed by J.L. Austin and John Searle, which holds that utterances are not just statements of fact but also actions that accomplish things — such as requesting, promising, warning, or commanding. In assistive technology and…

Speech Delay(also: Language Delay, Delayed Speech)

A condition in which a child does not develop speech and language skills at the expected rate for their age. Speech delay can affect the production of sounds (articulation), the ability to form words and sentences (expressive language), or the understanding of language…

Speech Error(also: Articulation Error, Pronunciation Error)

A deviation from the expected or standard production of speech sounds, including substitutions, omissions, additions, and distortions of phonemes. Speech errors are common among people who are deaf or hard of hearing, as limited auditory feedback makes it difficult to monitor…

Speech Impairment(also: Speech Disability, Communication Disability)

A condition affecting the ability to produce speech sounds or to communicate verbally. Speech impairments range from mild articulation difficulties to complete inability to speak, and may be caused by neurological conditions, physical injuries, developmental conditions, or…

Speech Language Pathologist(also: SLP, Speech Therapist, Speech-Language Therapist)

A licensed healthcare professional who specialises in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of communication disorders, including speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing difficulties. In accessibility and disability contexts, SLPs play a critical role in supporting…

Speech Reading(also: Lip Reading, Lipreading, Visual Speech Perception)

The practice of understanding speech by visually interpreting a speaker's lip movements, facial expressions, gestures, and body language. Speech reading is used by many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals as a communication strategy, often in combination with residual hearing…

Speech Sound Disorder(also: SSD, Speech Disorder, Articulation Disorder)

A communication disorder affecting the development of accurate speech sound and prosody production in childhood. Children with SSDs struggle with phonological representation, phonological awareness, and print awareness, which can lead to difficulties learning to read and impact…

Speech Synthesizer(also: Speech Synthesiser, Text-to-Speech Engine, TTS Engine)

Software or hardware that converts text into spoken audio output, producing artificial speech that can be used to read content aloud. Speech synthesizers are a fundamental component of many assistive technologies, including screen readers for blind users and augmentative and…

Speech and Language Therapist(also: SLT, Speech-Language Pathologist, SLP)

A healthcare professional who assesses, diagnoses, and treats communication and swallowing disorders. Speech and language therapists play a critical role in the assistive technology ecosystem by evaluating clients for AAC suitability, recommending appropriate communication…

Speech-Language Pathologist(also: SLP, Speech Therapist, Speech-Language Therapist)

A healthcare professional who assesses, diagnoses, and treats communication and swallowing disorders across the lifespan. In the context of accessibility, SLPs play a central role in AAC intervention — evaluating individuals for AAC needs, selecting appropriate devices and…

Speech-Language Pathology(also: SLP, Speech Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy)

A healthcare profession focused on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of communication disorders, speech disorders, language disorders, cognitive-communication disorders, and swallowing difficulties. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with individuals across the…

Speech-Language Therapy(also: Speech Therapy, SLT, Speech-Language Pathology)

A clinical practice focused on assessing and treating communication disorders including speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing difficulties. Speech-language therapists (or speech-language pathologists) work with people who have aphasia, dysarthria, stuttering, voice…

Speech-Like Vocalization(also: SLV)

A sound produced by a person that can be phonetically transcribed based on the conventions of a spoken language, distinguishing it from non-speech-like vocalizations such as grunts, screeches, or vocal stereotypies. In speech development research, particularly for nonverbal or…

Speech-Reading(also: Lip-Reading, Lipreading, Visual Speech Perception)

The practice of understanding spoken language by visually interpreting the movements of the lips, face, tongue, and jaw of the speaker, along with contextual cues such as facial expressions and body language. Many deaf and hard of hearing people use speech-reading as one of…

Speech-to-Sign Translation(also: Spoken Language to Sign Language Translation)

The process of automatically converting spoken language into sign language output, typically displayed through a signing avatar or animated character. Speech-to-sign translation involves three major components: automatic speech recognition to convert audio to text or semantic…

Speechreading(also: Lipreading, Lip Reading)

A communication method that relies on observing visual and contextual cues, primarily the movements of a speakers lips, face, and body, to understand spoken language. Speechreading is used by many d/Deaf and hard of hearing individuals as a supplement to other communication…

Spoon Theory(also: Spoons)

A metaphor created by Christine Miserandino to explain the limited energy available to people living with chronic illness or disability. In this framework, each daily activity costs a certain number of "spoons" from a finite supply, and once spoons are depleted, the person…

Step-by-Step Device(also: Sequential Message Device, Step-by-Step Communicator, SBS)

A simple, single-switch augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device that stores a sequence of pre-recorded voice messages and plays them back one at a time with each button press. Step-by-step devices are categorised as "low-tech" or "mid-tech" AAC because they…

Stimulus Over-Selectivity(also: Over-Selective Attention, Tunnel Vision Attention)

A phenomenon where an individual attends to a limited subset of available stimuli while ignoring other relevant cues in their environment. Stimulus over-selectivity is commonly observed in autistic individuals and people with intellectual disabilities, and has significant…

Stroke(also: Cerebrovascular Accident, CVA)

A medical condition caused by interruption of blood supply to the brain, resulting in brain cell damage that can cause a range of disabilities including paralysis, speech and language impairments (aphasia), cognitive difficulties, and sensory changes. Stroke is a leading cause…

Symbol Communication(also: Symbol-Supported Communication)

The use of graphic symbols — pictograms, ideograms, line drawings, or photographs — alongside or in place of text to convey meaning. Symbol communication supports people who cannot rely on spoken or written language, including many AAC users, children and adults with…

Symbol-Based Communication(also: Picture-Based Communication, Graphic Symbol Communication)

A form of augmentative communication that uses visual symbols — including pictures, photographs, line drawings, or icons — to represent words, concepts, or messages. Symbol-based communication is particularly useful for people with limited literacy, intellectual disabilities, or…

Symbolic Communication(also: Symbol-Based Communication)

Communication that uses symbols — including spoken words, written text, manual signs, pictures, or graphic icons — to represent meanings, objects, actions, or concepts. Developing symbolic communication is a critical milestone for emergent communicators, as it enables more…

Synchronous Communication(also: Real-Time Communication, Live Communication)

Communication that occurs in real time, requiring all participants to be present simultaneously. In digital contexts, this includes video conferencing, live chat, instant messaging, and real-time collaboration tools. While synchronous communication fosters immediacy and social…

Synthetic Voice(also: Artificial Voice, Computer-Generated Voice, TTS Voice)

A digitally generated voice produced by text-to-speech technology, used by individuals with speech impairments as an alternative means of verbal communication. People who rely on synthetic voices for presentations, phone calls, or daily conversation must often invest…

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