Glossary

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AHEAD(also: Association on Higher Education And Disability)

The Association on Higher Education And Disability, a professional organization that provides resources, guidelines, and program standards for disability services offices in postsecondary education. AHEAD develops standards that outline minimum essential services disability…

AI in Education(also: AIEd, Educational AI)

The application of artificial intelligence technologies in educational settings, including intelligent tutoring systems, automated assessment, personalized learning pathways, content generation, and teacher support tools. AI in education has expanded rapidly with generative AI,…

AI literacy(also: Artificial intelligence literacy, Algorithm literacy)

The knowledge, skills, and critical awareness needed to understand, evaluate, and effectively engage with artificial intelligence systems. For people with disabilities, AI literacy is particularly important because lack of understanding about how AI tools work — including their…

ASL education technology(also: Sign language learning technology)

Technology designed to support the teaching and learning of American Sign Language, ranging from video-based instructional platforms and feedback systems to computer vision tools that analyse signing performance. ASL education technology is an accessibility enabler because…

Abacus(also: Cranmer Abacus, Counting Frame)

A manual calculating tool consisting of a frame with rods and movable beads used for arithmetic operations. For visually impaired users, adapted versions like the Cranmer abacus feature beads that stay in place when moved and a backing to prevent displacement. The abacus enables…

Academic Ableism

Systemic discrimination against disabled people within academic institutions and research practices. In higher education, academic ableism manifests through inaccessible learning environments, expectations of productivity that do not account for disability, and research…

Academic Accessibility(also: Accessibility in academia, Scholarly accessibility)

The degree to which the tools, publications, venues, and institutional practices of academic research and higher education are usable by disabled students, faculty, and researchers. Academic accessibility spans scholarly PDFs and figures, reference and qualitative-analysis…

Academic Accommodation(also: Educational Accommodation, Reasonable Adjustment in Education)

Modifications to academic requirements, procedures, or environments that enable students and scholars with disabilities to participate equally in educational activities. Academic accommodations may include extended time for exams, alternative format materials, note-taking…

Academic Accommodations(also: Educational Accommodations, Disability Accommodations)

Modifications to academic requirements, environments, or procedures provided to students with disabilities to ensure equal access to education. Common accommodations include extended test time, note-taking services, priority seating, alternative format materials, and reduced…

AccessComputing

An NSF-funded alliance led by the University of Washington that works to increase the participation of people with disabilities in computing fields. AccessComputing connects students with disabilities to mentors, internships, and resources in computing education and careers,…

Accessibility Awareness

The level of knowledge and understanding that individuals, particularly software developers and designers, have about accessibility requirements, standards, and the needs of people with disabilities. Research consistently shows that low accessibility awareness among industry…

Accessibility Education(also: A11y Education)

The teaching and learning of accessibility principles, practices, and standards across educational settings. Accessibility education encompasses both teaching students with disabilities in accessible ways and teaching all students about accessibility so they can create inclusive…

Accessibility Simulation(also: Disability Simulation)

A pedagogical technique in which learners experience simulated conditions of disability to build understanding of accessibility barriers. Common approaches include simulation games, virtual reality experiences, and exercises that restrict sensory or motor capabilities. While…

Accessibility education(also: A11y education, Accessibility curriculum)

The integration of accessibility and universal design topics into formal educational programs, particularly in computer science, design, and engineering curricula. Effective accessibility education combines theoretical understanding of disability models and standards with…

Accessible Education(also: Inclusive Education)

The practice of designing educational environments, materials, and technologies so that all students, including those with disabilities, can participate fully and equally. Accessible education encompasses physical accessibility of classrooms and campuses, digital accessibility…

Accessible Music Education(also: Inclusive Music Teaching)

Educational approaches and technologies that enable people with disabilities to learn music effectively. This includes alternative notation systems like Braille music, audio-based instruction, tactile learning materials, and adaptive instruments. Accessible music education…

Accessible eLearning(also: Accessible Online Learning, Inclusive eLearning)

Digital learning content and platforms designed to be usable by people with disabilities. For people with intellectual disabilities, accessible eLearning requires step-by-step approaches, visual demonstrations with audio narration, consistent layouts, familiar metaphors from…

Accommodation(also: Reasonable Accommodation, Academic Accommodation, Disability Accommodation)

A modification, adjustment, or support provided to enable a person with a disability to participate equally in education, employment, or public services. In the United States, accommodations are mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the…

Accommodation Letter(also: Letter of Accommodation, LOA, Faculty Notification Letter)

A formal document produced by a university's disability services office that notifies faculty of their obligation to provide specific approved accommodations to a student with a disability. The letter details the accommodations but does not disclose the student's specific…

Activity Prompting(also: Skill Prompting)

A structured approach to encouraging skill development through customized, playful prompts that guide individuals through specific activities. In the context of disability and education, activity prompting involves designing short, engaging tasks tailored to a person's current…

Activity schedule(also: Visual schedule, Picture schedule)

A visual support tool that breaks down tasks or routines into sequential steps represented by photographs, pictograms, or text, enabling individuals with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, or cognitive impairments to independently follow procedures without…

Adapted Curriculum(also: Adapted Computer Curriculum, Modified Curriculum, Curriculum Adaptation)

An adapted curriculum is an educational programme that has been modified to accommodate the learning needs, styles, and abilities of students with disabilities while maintaining the core learning objectives of the standard curriculum. Adaptations may include one-on-one tutoring…

Applied Behavioral Analysis(also: ABA, Behavioral Analysis, Behaviour Analysis)

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to understanding and changing behavior through systematic observation, measurement, and evidence-based intervention. In accessibility and disability contexts, ABA principles — including positive reinforcement, prompting,…

Applied behavior analysis(also: ABA, Behavior modification, Lovaas method)

A therapeutic approach based on the science of learning and behavior, widely used in interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder. ABA uses systematic reinforcement — rewarding desired behaviors with objects, food, praise, or other motivators — to teach new skills…

Assistive Technology Curriculum(also: AT Curriculum, Adaptive Technology Curriculum, Accessibility Curriculum)

An assistive technology curriculum is a structured educational programme that teaches the principles, design, evaluation, and implementation of technology aids for people with disabilities. Such curricula typically span topics including disability awareness, accessibility…

Asynchronous Communication(also: Async Communication)

Communication that does not occur in real time, allowing participants to send and receive messages at different times. In educational and workplace contexts, examples include email, discussion forums, recorded lectures, and messaging platforms. Asynchronous communication…

Asynchronous Learning(also: Asynchronous Instruction)

A mode of education in which learners engage with instructional content on their own schedule rather than in real time with an instructor, typically via pre-recorded videos, written materials, or interactive modules. For accessibility, asynchronous learning removes some barriers…

Audio-Based Virtual Environment(also: Audio Virtual Environment, Sound-Based Virtual World, Auditory Virtual Environment)

An audio-based virtual environment is a computer-generated interactive space that uses sound — including 3D spatial audio, stereo effects, and environmental audio cues — as the primary channel for conveying information about the virtual world, enabling navigation, orientation,…

Automatic Promotion(also: No Detention Policy, Social Promotion)

An educational policy that promotes students to the next grade level regardless of their academic achievement, intended to prevent grade repetition and reduce dropout rates. India's Right to Education Act includes automatic promotion provisions that, while well-intentioned,…

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