Glossary

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Hemianopsia(also: Hemianopia, Half-Field Vision Loss)

Loss of vision in one half of the visual field in one or both eyes, typically caused by damage to the brain's visual pathways rather than the eyes themselves. The most common form is homonymous hemianopsia, where the same half of the visual field is lost in both eyes — for…

Hemiplegia(also: Hemiparesis)

Paralysis or severe weakness affecting one side of the body, typically caused by stroke, cerebral palsy, or brain injury. Hemiplegia commonly affects the arm, leg, and sometimes face on either the left or right side. For digital accessibility, users with hemiplegia may operate…

Hidden Labour of Disability(also: Invisible Work of Disability, Disability Labour)

The unrecognized time, effort, and energy that disabled people must invest to navigate inaccessible environments, use assistive technologies, manage care relationships, and participate in activities that non-disabled people can do with minimal effort. Examples include spending…

Invisible Disability(also: Hidden Disability, Non-Apparent Disability)

A disability that is not immediately apparent to others through visual observation. Invisible disabilities include ADHD, chronic pain, mental health conditions, learning disabilities, autoimmune conditions, traumatic brain injury, and many others. People with invisible…

Joint Hypermobility(also: Hypermobility, Double-Jointed)

A condition in which joints move beyond their normal range of motion, often associated with connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Joint hypermobility can cause chronic pain, frequent dislocations, and difficulty with tasks requiring grip strength or sustained…

Language Impairment(also: Language Disorder, Language Disability)

A reduced ability to understand or produce spoken, written, or signed language that is not due to hearing loss, intellectual disability, or lack of exposure to language. Language impairments can be developmental (present from childhood) or acquired (resulting from brain injury…

Late-Life Disability(also: Age-Related Disability, Acquired Age-Related Disability)

Disability that develops gradually as a person ages, including changes in vision, hearing, motor control, and cognition. Unlike disabilities present from birth or acquired through injury, late-life disabilities often develop incrementally, and individuals may not identify as…

Legal Blindness(also: Legally Blind)

A level of vision loss defined in many countries as visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with best correction, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less. Legal blindness does not necessarily mean total blindness — many legally blind people have some residual or…

Light Sensitivity(also: Photophobia, Photosensitivity)

An abnormal sensitivity to light that causes discomfort, pain, or visual disruption. Many people with low vision experience light sensitivity, which can be exacerbated by bright overhead lighting, backlit screens, glare from reflective surfaces, and high-contrast environments.…

Locked-In Syndrome(also: LIS, Pseudocoma)

Locked-in syndrome is a rare neurological condition in which a person is fully conscious and cognitively aware but unable to move or speak due to complete paralysis of nearly all voluntary muscles, often resulting from a brainstem stroke or injury. People with locked-in syndrome…

Low Vision(also: Partial Sight, Visual Impairment)

A visual condition in which a person has significant vision loss that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery, but retains some usable vision. People with low vision may have reduced visual acuity, limited field of vision, or difficulty…

Low-Incidence Disability(also: Low-Prevalence Disability)

A disability that occurs relatively rarely in the general population, such as blindness, deafblindness, or certain developmental conditions. Low-incidence disabilities present unique challenges for research, education, and technology development because affected individuals are…

Mainstream inclusion(also: Educational inclusion, Inclusive education)

The practice of educating children with disabilities alongside their non-disabled peers in general education classrooms, supported by appropriate accommodations, assistive technologies, and specialist personnel. Mainstream inclusion is both a rights-based educational philosophy…

Mild Disability(also: Moderate Disability, Mild Impairment)

A level of functional limitation that affects daily activities but does not completely prevent a person from performing tasks independently. People with mild disabilities often fall into a gap in accessibility support — their challenges are real and impactful but may not be…

Minimally Verbal(also: Minimally Speaking, Non-Speaking, Limited Verbal)

A term describing individuals who use very few or no spoken words as their primary means of communication, despite potentially having communicative intent. This term is commonly used in autism contexts to describe autistic individuals who may have fewer than 20-30 functional…

Misinformation(also: Disinformation, Health Misinformation)

Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that spreads through digital channels, regardless of whether the spread is intentional (disinformation) or unintentional. On social media platforms, health misinformation is a significant concern for disabled communities,…

Mobile Disability Gap(also: Digital Disability Divide, Smartphone Disability Gap)

The disparity in mobile phone and smartphone ownership, access, and usage between disabled and non-disabled populations. In Kenya, smartphone ownership among disabled individuals is only 12% compared to 41% for non-disabled people — a 72% gap. The mobile disability gap is driven…

Momentous Depiction

A conceptual framework proposed by Niu, Clements, and Kim (2026) for using generative AI to visualize critical moments that convey the insights and meanings of disability in storytelling videos. The framework identifies four core GenAI affordances that support or constrain…

Money Management(also: Personal Finance Management)

The everyday practices of tracking income and spending, budgeting, paying bills, saving, and making purchasing decisions. For people with cognitive or developmental disabilities, money management is often a shared activity with family, support workers, or fiduciaries, and the…

Motion Impairment(also: Motor Impairment, Physical Impairment, Mobility Impairment)

A condition that limits a person's ability to control voluntary physical movement, affecting fine or gross motor skills, strength, coordination, or range of motion. Motion impairments may result from conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury,…

Motor Disability(also: Motor Impairment, Physical Disability, Mobility Impairment)

A disability that affects a persons ability to control movement, including fine motor skills like gripping and manipulating objects, and gross motor skills like walking and reaching. Motor disabilities can result from conditions affecting muscles, nerves, bones, or the brain.…

Multimorbidity(also: Multiple Long-term Conditions, Co-occurring Conditions)

Multimorbidity is the presence of two or more chronic health conditions or long-term impairments in a single individual. It is especially prevalent among older adults and is a major factor in the complexity of accessibility needs. Research shows that multimorbidity is the norm…

Multiple Impairments(also: Multiple Disabilities, Complex Disabilities, Co-occurring Impairments)

The presence of two or more concurrent impairments — such as sensory, cognitive, physical, or neurological — in a single individual that together create complex accessibility needs not adequately addressed by solutions designed for any single impairment alone. Research shows…

Muscular Dystrophy(also: MD)

A group of genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles. There are more than 30 types, including Duchenne, Becker, limb-girdle, and myotonic muscular dystrophy, each with different patterns of muscle involvement and progression.…

Neurodevelopmental Conditions(also: Neurodevelopmental Disorders, NDD)

A group of conditions that affect brain development and function, typically emerging in early childhood. These include autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, and specific learning disabilities. In accessibility, understanding neurodevelopmental…

Neurodivergent(also: Neurodiverse Individual, ND)

A term describing individuals whose neurological development and functioning differ from what is considered typical or "neurotypical." Neurodivergent conditions include ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyscalculia, Tourette syndrome, and other neurological differences.…

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder(also: OCD)

A mental health condition affecting approximately 2% of the world population, characterized by recurrent, intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that cause significant anxiety, and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to relieve that anxiety. OCD…

Older Adults(also: Seniors, Elderly, Aging Population)

People typically aged 65 and above who may experience age-related changes in vision, hearing, motor control, and cognition that affect how they interact with technology. Designing for older adults requires attention to larger text sizes, higher contrast, simplified navigation,…

Overcompensation(also: Positive overcorrection, Debiasing overcorrection)

In the context of AI bias and disability representation, overcompensation (also called positive overcorrection) refers to a failure mode in which a model's debiasing mechanisms over-adjust away from negative portrayals, producing excessively or unrealistically positive…

Peripheral Vision(also: Side Vision)

Vision that occurs outside the center of gaze, encompassing the ability to see objects and movement to the sides, above, and below the point of fixation. Peripheral vision is important for spatial awareness, navigation, and detecting motion. Musicians with low vision may rely on…

Phantom Limb Pain(also: PLP)

Phantom limb pain is a chronic pain condition in which an individual experiences painful sensations appearing to come from a limb (or other body part) that has been amputated or is no longer functional. The pain is real and neurological in origin, arising from reorganisation of…

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome(also: POTS)

A form of dysautonomia defined by an excessive increase in heart rate upon standing, often accompanied by fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, and cognitive difficulties. POTS can significantly impact daily functioning and is frequently comorbid with conditions like…

Presbycusis(also: Age-Related Hearing Loss, Presbyacusis)

A gradual, progressive loss of hearing in both ears that occurs as a natural part of aging, primarily affecting the ability to perceive higher-frequency sounds. Presbycusis is the most common cause of hearing loss in older adults and has significant implications for the design…

Print Disability(also: Print Impairment)

A condition that prevents a person from effectively reading standard printed material. Print disabilities include blindness, low vision, dyslexia, and physical disabilities that make it difficult to hold or manipulate printed books. People with print disabilities rely on…

Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities(also: PMLD, Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities, PIMD)

Profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) refers to a combination of profound intellectual disability with additional physical, sensory, or health impairments that together create extremely complex support needs. Individuals with PMLD typically require high levels of…

Progressive Disability(also: Degenerative Condition, Progressive Condition)

A disability or condition that worsens over time, requiring adaptive strategies and technologies that can evolve with changing abilities. Progressive disabilities such as dementia, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy pose unique design challenges because assistive…

Psychosocial Disability(also: Psychosocial Impairment)

A disability that stems from diverse mental, cognitive, or emotional experiences that lead to impairment and experienced barriers in social participation. Psychosocial disabilities include conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental health…

Quadriplegia(also: Tetraplegia)

Paralysis affecting all four limbs and typically the torso, usually resulting from spinal cord injury at the cervical (neck) level, or from conditions like ALS or muscular dystrophy. The degree of impairment varies based on the level and completeness of injury—some individuals…

Quality of Life Framework(also: QoL Framework, WHOQOL)

A structured approach to measuring and understanding an individual's overall well-being across multiple domains including physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, environment, independence, and personal beliefs. The WHO Quality of Life framework (WHOQOL)…

Rheumatoid Arthritis(also: RA)

A chronic autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation, pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints, particularly in the hands, wrists, and fingers. Rheumatoid arthritis can significantly affect a person's ability to use computers by reducing grip strength, limiting finger…

Sensory Disability(also: Sensory Impairment)

A disability that affects one or more of the senses — most commonly vision and hearing, but also including touch, taste, and smell. Sensory disabilities encompass conditions such as blindness, low vision, deafness, hard of hearing, and deafblindness. In digital accessibility,…

Sensory Impairment(also: Sensory Disability)

A broad term encompassing conditions that affect the senses, primarily vision and hearing. Sensory impairments include blindness, low vision, deafness, and being hard of hearing, each presenting distinct accessibility needs and interaction patterns with technology. People with…

Situational Disability(also: Situational Impairment, Situational Limitation, SIID)

A temporary reduction in ability caused by a person's environment or context rather than a permanent condition. Examples include difficulty reading a screen in bright sunlight (visual), being unable to listen to audio in a noisy environment (auditory), or having limited…

Small Fiber Neuropathy(also: SFN)

A condition involving damage to small somatic and autonomic nerve fibers, resulting in burning pain, sensory disturbances, and autonomic dysfunction. SFN can make everyday tasks that involve gripping, holding, or fine motor control painful and difficult. Assistive devices that…

Social Communication Disorder(also: SCD, Pragmatic Language Impairment)

A condition characterized by persistent difficulties with the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication. Individuals with social communication disorder struggle with using communication for social purposes, adjusting communication to match context, following…

Spinal Cord Injury(also: SCI)

Damage to the spinal cord that results in loss of function, mobility, or sensation below the level of injury. Injuries are classified as complete (total loss of function below the injury) or incomplete (some function preserved). The higher the injury on the spinal cord, the more…

Supplemental Security Income(also: SSI)

A U.S. federal program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides cash benefits to people with disabilities, blindness, or age-related needs who have limited income and resources. SSI enforces strict asset and income limits — historically $2,000 in…

Symptom Fluctuation(also: Fluctuating Symptoms, Variable Symptoms, Good Days and Bad Days)

The variation in symptom severity that people with chronic conditions or disabilities experience over time—sometimes within a single day. Symptom fluctuation means that a person's abilities and access needs may change unpredictably, making it difficult to follow fixed schedules…

Toxic positivity(also: Forced positivity, Positive bypassing)

Toxic positivity refers to the excessive promotion of optimistic or uplifting framing that dismisses, minimises, or erases negative emotions, suffering, and genuine hardship. In disability contexts, toxic positivity manifests when portrayals of disabled people focus exclusively…

Upper Limb Motor Impairment(also: Upper Extremity Motor Disability, Hand and Arm Motor Impairment)

A condition affecting movement, strength, coordination, or fine motor control in the hands, wrists, arms, or shoulders that impacts a person's ability to use standard computer input devices. Causes include cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis,…