Glossary
Terms used in accessibility research and practice. Each entry has a definition, common aliases, and category tags.
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- Caption Flow(also: Captioning Flow, Text Flow)
- The smoothness and regularity with which caption text appears and updates on screen during real-time captioning. Good caption flow means text arrives at a consistent pace without jarring delays, sudden bursts, or choppy delivery. Research shows that caption flow significantly…
- CogTool
- A cognitive modeling tool developed at Carnegie Mellon University that generates quantitative predictions of human task performance times based on the Keystroke-Level Model (KLM) and the ACT-R cognitive architecture. Designers create storyboards of user interface screens and…
- Cognitive Load(also: Mental Load, Cognitive Demand)
- The total amount of mental effort required to complete a task, encompassing the processing, storage, and management of information in working memory. Cognitive load theory distinguishes between intrinsic load (inherent task complexity), extraneous load (unnecessary complexity…
- Cognitive Usability
- The extent to which a system, interface, or information resource can be effectively used by people with varying cognitive abilities and processing styles. Cognitive usability goes beyond traditional usability measures (efficiency, effectiveness, satisfaction) to specifically…
- Cognitive Walkthrough(also: Expert Walkthrough)
- An accessibility and usability evaluation method in which one or more experts step through a series of tasks from the perspective of a target user, identifying potential barriers and difficulties at each step. In accessibility evaluations, cognitive walkthroughs often involve…
- Content Filtering(also: Content Adaptation, Adaptive Content Delivery)
- The process of selectively displaying or hiding portions of digital content based on user preferences, roles, device capabilities, or accessibility needs. In an accessibility context, content filtering allows users to control the level of detail they receive, reducing…
- Context of Use(also: Use Context, Usage Context)
- The combination of users, tasks, equipment (hardware, software, and materials), and the physical and social environments in which a product or service is used. In accessibility, context of use is a critical consideration because the same website may present different barriers…
- Cursor Ambiguity(also: Cursor Position Ambiguity)
- The difficulty users experience in determining the exact position of the text cursor, particularly when using screen readers on touchscreen devices. Screen readers announce the character or word at the cursor location, but users may not know whether the cursor is at the…
- Customization Paradox(also: Paradox of Choice in Customization)
- The phenomenon where providing more customization options to reduce barriers paradoxically creates new barriers through increased cognitive load, decision fatigue, and distraction from the customization interface itself. The customization paradox is particularly acute for ADHD…
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