Glossary

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T9(also: Text on 9 Keys, Tegic T9)

T9 (Text on 9 Keys) is a dictionary-based predictive text-entry method developed by Tegic Communications in the 1990s for mobile phone keypads with multiple letters assigned to each numeric key. Rather than pressing a key multiple times to cycle through letters (the older…

Tactile Overlay(also: Touch Overlay, Tactile Screen Overlay)

A physical sheet or frame placed on top of a touchscreen or flat surface that provides raised tactile landmarks, borders, buttons, and contextual information for users who are blind or have low vision. Tactile overlays can be made from laser-cut cardboard, 3D printed materials,…

TalkBack(also: Android TalkBack, Google TalkBack)

The built-in screen reader for Android devices, developed by Google as part of the Android Accessibility Suite. TalkBack provides spoken feedback, vibration, and other audible cues to help blind and visually impaired users navigate their devices without seeing the screen. Users…

Tappability(also: Tap Target, Tappable)

The property of a user interface element that indicates whether it can be activated by tapping on a touchscreen device. Tappability is a key concern in mobile accessibility because elements that appear tappable but are not (or vice versa) create barriers for users who rely on…

Text Messaging(also: SMS, Short Message Service, Texting)

Text messaging is the exchange of short written messages between mobile devices over a cellular or data network, most commonly using the SMS (Short Message Service) or MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) standards, or modern over-the-top messaging apps. Text messaging has been a…

Text Scaling Assistive Service(also: TSAS, Font Size Scaling)

An Android platform service that allows users to increase or decrease the size of text displayed across applications. Text Scaling Assistive Service is critical for users with low vision who need larger text to read content comfortably. Apps that fail to support TSAS properly…

Textonym(also: T9 Ambiguity)

Words that share the same sequence of key presses on a telephone-style number pad, such as "bat" and "cat" which both map to the key sequence 2-2-8. Textonyms are a significant design consideration in AAC and text entry systems that use reduced keyboard layouts, as the system…

Touch Accessibility(also: Touchscreen Accessibility)

The design and adaptation of touch-based interfaces to be usable by people with diverse motor, sensory, and cognitive abilities. Touch accessibility addresses challenges including insufficient target sizes for users with limited fine motor control, lack of alternatives to…

Touch Exploration(also: Explore by Touch, Touch-Based Exploration)

An interaction method that allows users to discover on-screen content by moving their finger across a touchscreen, receiving audio feedback about elements under the fingertip. Touch exploration is fundamental to how blind and low-vision users navigate mobile devices through…

Touch Screen Accessibility(also: Touchscreen Accessibility, Touch Input Accessibility)

The design and implementation of touch-based interfaces so they can be effectively used by people with various disabilities, including those with motor impairments, low vision, or blindness. Touch screen accessibility challenges include the requirement for precise finger…

Touch Target(also: Tap Target, Hit Area, Target Size)

A touch target is the area on a touchscreen interface that responds to a user's tap or touch input. Accessibility guidelines recommend minimum touch target sizes to ensure that people with motor impairments, limited dexterity, or larger fingers can reliably activate interactive…

Touch target(also: Tap target, Touch target size, Target size)

The interactive area on a touchscreen or pen-based display that responds to user input when tapped or pressed. Touch target size is a critical accessibility consideration because targets that are too small or too closely spaced cause selection errors, particularly for older…

Touch-to-Explore(also: Touch Exploration, Explore by Touch)

An interaction mode used by touchscreen screen readers (such as VoiceOver on iOS and TalkBack on Android) where users drag their finger across the screen to discover and hear descriptions of interface elements beneath their fingertip. As the user's finger passes over buttons,…

Touchscreen(also: Touch Screen, Touch Display)

An input and display device that detects touch gestures directly on its surface, allowing users to interact with content by tapping, swiping, pinching, or dragging. While touchscreens enable intuitive direct manipulation, they present accessibility challenges for users with…

Touchscreen Accessibility(also: Touch Interface Accessibility)

Touchscreen accessibility refers to the design principles, techniques, and assistive technologies that make touchscreen devices usable by people with disabilities. This includes screen reader gestures (such as VoiceOver on iOS and TalkBack on Android), which allow blind users to…

Touchscreen text entry(also: Mobile typing, Virtual keyboard input)

The process of entering text on a touchscreen device using a virtual keyboard, which presents significant accessibility challenges for blind and visually impaired users who cannot see key boundaries or visual feedback. Screen reader users typically employ an explore-then-lift…

Transportation Accessibility(also: Accessible Transportation, Mobility Accessibility)

The design and provision of transportation systems, services, and infrastructure that are usable by people with disabilities. Transportation accessibility encompasses physical access to vehicles and transit stops, accessible information systems (route planning, real-time…

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