- AAC - See "Augmentative and alternative communication."
- Accessibility options - Software adaptations included in Windows that address common problems that persons with disabilities have in using a standard keyboard.
- Acoustic ALDs - Pick-up sound using a microphone, amplify the sound and supply this amplified sound to the ear. These system do not transmit a signal from a transmitter to a receiver and therefore are usually encased in a single device. The most common form of acoustic ALD(assistive listening device) is the hearing aid. Public Address systems are another form of acoustic ALD. (http://www.alds.com/Lit/AN004A.pdf)
- Activities of daily living (ADL) - Routine activities carried out for personal hygiene and health (including bathing, dressing, feeding) and for operating a household.
- Activity - Task or tasks the person is trying to accomplish
- ADA - See "Americans with Disabilities Act."
- Adapted driving control - Any of a number of devices that allow operation and control of a vehicle by other than the standard equipment. Examples of devices include: hand controls, steering wheel knob, gas pedal extension, gear shift extension, and steering by joystick, foot controls, or computer-aided.
- ADL - See "Activities of daily living."
- ALD - See "Assistive listening device."
- Alerting device - A device that alerts the user to an event with visual, auditory or vibrating feedback. Events might include a door knock, fire alarm signal, time announcement, alarm clock, or telephone ring.
- Alternate keyboard - Keyboard that allows the user better access due to its configuration, location or size, including one hand keyboard, onscreen keyboard, miniature-size keyboard, and oversize keyboard.
- Alternating pressure device - A device that changes pressure distribution of the user's body. Individual chambers within the device can be filled with air or fluid. The chambers are arranged to fill / empty in alternating patterns – when one fills, chambers adjacent to it empty.
- Alternative format books - Books in format other than standard print – includes large print (18 point font or greater), Braille, audio or electronic.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - A civil rights law enacted in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the areas of employment, transportation, telecommunications, and public accommodation.
- Amplifier - A device that increases the intensity of a signal (e.g., makes the sound louder).
- Assistive listening device (ALD) - A large variety of devices designed to improve the ability of a person to hear in specific listening situations.
- Assistive technology - Devices and aids which can help a person with a disability perform activities that might otherwise be difficult or impossible
- Audio description service - Allows blind and visually impaired people to access a program's visual content. The program's action, settings, on-screen titles and characters' body language are described audibly. Also known as descriptive video.
- Auditory discrimination - The ability to differentiate between sounds.
- Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) - Any device, system, or method (other than natural speech) that improves or enhances an individual's ability to communicate. Includes sign language, symbol systems, letter boards, objects of reference systems, speech generating devices, and computer software.
- Barcode reader - A device that detects and reads the information stored in a barcode. May provide print and/or audio output.
- Bidet - A bathroom fixture used especially for bathing the external genitals and the posterior parts of the body.
- Biofeedback - A process in which information not ordinarily perceived (such as heart rate, skin temperatures or electrical activity of muscles) is recorded from a person and then relayed back instantaneously as a signal so that the individual becomes aware of any alteration in the recorded activity. www.abilitybeyonddisability.org
- Braille - A system of writing/reading for the blind that uses characters made up of raised dots. http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
- Caption - The explanatory comment or designation accompanying a pictorial illustration or audio information. For television or movies, the captions may be open (written words that can be seen by all viewers) or closed (written words that can be turned on and off). http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
- Catheter - A tubular medical device for insertion into canals, vessels, passageways, or body cavities usually to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids or to keep a passage open. http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
- CCTV - See "Closed circuit television."
- Closed circuit television (CCTV) - A video magnification system that utilizes a camera to project an image onto a display screen or monitor. Properties that can be adjusted include contrast, inverse video display, brightness, color, and magnification level.
- Cold therapy - A technique in which cold is applied to an area on the body to possibly reduce pain, swelling, muscle spasms, and tissue damage.
- Commode - A toilet
- Communication device - A device (speech generating or non-speech generating) that helps an individual with a speech impairment to communicate with others.
- Compression garment - A garment – often a glove or stocking – made to fit a non-edemic (not fluid filled) body part. In the presence of edema, the garment does not stretch, thus the body part cannot become fluid filled beyond a certain point. Some garments are made to "massage" the body part, thus encouraging fluid movement within that part.
- Continuous Passive Motion - A technique that takes a limb through a pattern of movement in a repetitive manner using mechanical equipment. Helps to prevent muscle atrophy, maintains joint function, and encourages blood flow.
- Contracture - An abnormal and usually permanent tightness or shortening of a muscle.
- Convalescent - An individual who is recovering from an illness or injury.
- Coordinating movements / Manipulating objects - Performing movements in a purposeful, orderly combination: hand coordination, eye-hand-foot coordination, lower body coordination, upper body coordination, foot-hand coordination. Includes reaching, lifting, handling and transporting objects and reaching, grasping, lifting and lowering, pushing and pulling, carrying objects, releasing, turning.
- Counterbalance support system - A device that supports the upper extremity and uses weights, springs and principles of leverage to facilitate horizontal and vertical movement of a weakened limb.
- CPM - See "Continuous Passive Motion."
- Descriptive video - Allows blind and visually impaired people to access a program's visual content. The program's action, settings, on-screen titles and characters' body language are described audibly. Also known as audio description service.
- Digitized speech - Speech that has been recorded and can be played back.
- Disability - Often associated with specific medical conditions or difficulties performing tasks of everyday living. Under the ADA, an individual with a disability is a person who: 1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, 2) has a record of such an impairment, or 3) is regarded as having such an impairment
- Dressing stick - A stick that may have different size hooks and/or a shoehorn at either end. Used to assist an individual in pulling on or taking off clothes.
- EADL - See "Electronic aids to daily living."
- ECU - See "Environmental control unit."
- Electromagnetic field therapy - Technique in which electrical currents are run through magnets and may be used to treat and diagnose many medical conditions, including cancer, rheumatoid disease, stress-related illness, and pain.
- Electromyography (EMG) - Technique in which surface electrodes are applied to the skin over muscles that the user can voluntarily control. Electrical activity detected by the electrodes can be interpreted and used to control switch activation.
- Electronic aids to daily living (EADL) - A means to interact and manipulate one or more electronic devices such as a television, radio, CD player, lights, fan, etc. Devices can be controlled through any continuous, voluntary movement or action (e.g., voice, arm movement, breath). Information is transmitted and received through direct wiring, infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF), ultrasonic, or other wireless protocols.
- Embosser - A device that is used to print or "emboss" Braille, text, or graphic information. Embossing produces information that is raised from the surface of the paper for tactile purposes.
- EMG - See "Electromyography."
- Enuresis - The involuntary discharge of urine.
- Environmental control unit (ECU) - A means to interact and manipulate one or more electronic devices such as a television, radio, CD player, lights, fan, etc. Devices can be controlled through any continuous, voluntary movement or action (e.g., voice, arm movement, breath). Information is transmitted and received through direct wiring, infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF), ultrasonic, or other wireless protocols.
- Ergonomics - An applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely.
- Eye gaze - A system by which an individual uses his or her eyes to indicate a choice or make a selection.
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College of Architecture (COA)
