Glossary

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DHH(also: D/HH, Deaf and Hard of Hearing)

An abbreviation for "Deaf and Hard of Hearing," encompassing the full spectrum of hearing differences from culturally Deaf individuals who use sign language as a primary language to people with varying degrees of hearing loss who may use hearing aids, cochlear implants, or rely…

Daily Living Skills(also: Activities of Daily Living, ADLs, Self-Care Skills)

The fundamental self-care tasks that individuals perform routinely, including personal hygiene (tooth-brushing, hand-washing, bathing), dressing, eating, toileting, and basic household tasks. For individuals with disabilities, particularly autism and intellectual disabilities,…

Deafblind(also: Deaf-Blind, Deafblindness, Dual Sensory Loss)

A condition involving combined hearing and vision loss that significantly affects communication, access to information, and mobility. Deafblindness is not simply the sum of deafness and blindness — it creates unique challenges that require distinct support strategies, including…

Deafblindness(also: Deaf-Blindness, Dual Sensory Impairment, Combined Vision and Hearing Loss)

Deafblindness is a combined vision and hearing impairment that creates unique challenges beyond those associated with either sensory loss alone. It is not simply the sum of deafness and blindness — the combination creates distinct communication, information access, and mobility…

Depression(also: Major Depressive Disorder, Clinical Depression)

A mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities. Depression can significantly impact cognitive function, including concentration, memory, and decision-making, which affects how individuals interact with…

Depth Perception(also: Stereopsis)

The visual ability to perceive the relative distance of objects in three-dimensional space. Depth perception relies on binocular vision and other visual cues. Reduced depth perception can affect a persons ability to navigate physical environments safely, judge distances, and…

Developmental disability(also: Developmental disorder)

A group of conditions resulting from impairments in physical, learning, language, or behavioural areas that begin during the developmental period, are usually lifelong, and affect day-to-day functioning. Developmental disabilities include intellectual disability, autism spectrum…

Dexterity Impairment(also: Dexterity Difference, Reduced Dexterity, Fine Motor Impairment)

A reduction in the ability to perform precise, coordinated movements with the hands and fingers, which can range from mild to severe and may be permanent, intermittent, or transient. Dexterity impairments can result from a wide range of conditions including arthritis, carpal…

Diplegia(also: Spastic Diplegia)

A form of paralysis or weakness affecting corresponding parts on both sides of the body, most commonly both legs. Spastic diplegia is one of the most common forms of cerebral palsy, where muscle stiffness primarily affects the lower extremities while upper body function may be…

Disability

A complex, multidimensional concept encompassing physical, sensory, cognitive, and psychosocial differences that interact with societal barriers to limit full participation. The social model of disability distinguishes between impairment (a bodily difference) and disability (the…

Disability Disclosure(also: Disclosure)

The act of revealing information about one's disability to others, whether voluntarily or through necessity. Disclosure decisions are complex, involving considerations of privacy, safety, accommodation needs, social acceptance, and legal protections. People with invisible…

Dysautonomia

A group of conditions caused by dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation. Dysautonomia can cause fatigue, dizziness, fainting, and cognitive difficulties that impact…

Dyslexia

A specific learning disability that primarily affects reading, writing, and spelling skills. Dyslexia is neurological in origin and is characterized by difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition, poor spelling, and decoding abilities. It is not related to…

Dyspnea(also: Breathlessness, Shortness of Breath)

A subjective experience of breathing discomfort consisting of qualitatively distinct sensations that vary in intensity, as defined by the American Thoracic Society. People who experience dyspnea commonly describe sensations of respiratory effort, chest tightness, and air hunger.…

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