Access Barriers
Any obstruction (physical, mental or emotional) that prevents people with disabilities from using standard facilities, equipment and resources.
Accessible
Refers to a site, facility, work environment, service, or program that is easy to approach, enter, operate, participate in, and/or use safely and with dignity by a person with a disability; In the case of a facility, readily usable by a particular individual; in the case of a program or activity, presented or provided in such a way that a particular individual can participate, with or without auxiliary aid(s); in the case of electronic resources, accessible with or without assistive computer technology.
Accessible Web Design
Creating web pages according to universal design principles to eliminate or reduce barriers, including those that affect people with disabilities.
Accommodation
An adjustment to make a program, facility, or resource accessible to a person with a disability; Techniques and materials that allow individuals with LD to complete school or work tasks with greater ease and effectiveness. Examples include spellcheckers, tape recorders, and extended time testing.
Adaptive/Assistive Technology
Technology used to assist a person with a disability, e.g., wheelchair, handsplints, computer-based equipment (screen readers, speech-to text, etc); Equipment that enhances the ability of students and employees to be more efficient and successful. For individuals with LD, computer grammar checkers, an overhead projector used by a teacher, or the audio/visual information delivered through a CD-ROM would be typical examples.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
A severe difficulty in focusing and maintaining attention. Often leads to learning and behavior problems at home, school, and work. Also called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Auxiliary Aids and Services
Under Titles II and III of the ADA, includes a wide range of services and devices that promote effective communication or allows access to goods and services. Examples of auxiliary aids and services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing include qualified interpreters, notetakers, computer-aided transcription services, written materials, telephone handset amplifiers, assistive listening systems, telephones compatible with hearing aids, closed caption decoders, open and closed captioning, telecommunications devices for deaf persons (TDDs), videotext displays, and exchange of written notes. Examples for individuals with vision impairments include qualified readers, taped texts, audio recordings, Brailled materials, large print materials, and assistance in locating items. Examples for individuals with speech impairments include TDDs, computer terminals, speech synthesizers, and communication boards.
Books in Alternate Format
Books that are produced in a format other than traditional, written text. These formats may include audio, digital/electronic (e-text), braille, or enlarged print.
Braille
System of embossed characters formed by using a Braille cell, a combination of six dots consisting of two vertical columns of three dots each. Each simple Braille character is formed by one or more of these dots and occupies a full cell or space. Some Braille may use eight dots.
Brain Injury
The physical damage to brain tissue or structure that occurs before, during, or after birth that is verified by EEG, MRI, CAT, or a similar examination, rather than by observation of performance. When caused by an accident, the damage may be called Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Browser
Software designed to access and display information available on the web. Browsers may be graphical or text-based. Text-only browsers cannot display images, sound clips, video and plug-in features that graphical browsers can. Talking browsers are also available for use by people who have difficulty reading text due to a learning disability or visual impairment.
Captioned film or videos
Transcription of the verbal portion of films or videos displayed to make them accessible to people who are deaf.
Captioning
Text that is included with video presentations or broadcasts that enable people with hearing impairments to have access to the audio portion of the material.
CART
Computer Assisted Real-time Translation (CART), is created as an event takes place. A captioner (often trained as a court reporter or stenographer) uses a stenotype machine with a phonetic keyboard and special software. A computer translates the phonetic symbols into captions almost instantaneously and displays them on a laptop or on a large display screen. A slight delay may occur because of the captioner's need to hear and enter the words and the computer's processing time. Real-time captioning can be used for programs that have no written scripts or captions. They can be used for lectures; classes; live events, such as congressional or council meetings; news programs; and non-broadcast meetings, such as those of professional associations.
Communication device
Hardware that allows a person who has difficulty using their voice clearly to use words or symbols for communication. This may range in complexity from a simple picture board to complex electronic devices that allow personalized, unique construction of ideas.
Compensatory tools
Assistive computing systems that allow people with disabilities to use computers to complete tasks that they would have difficulty doing without a computer, e.g., reading, writing, communicating, accessing information.
A severe language disorder that is presumed to be due to brain injury rather than because of a developmental delay in the normal acquisition of language.
Disability
Physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990).
Distraction Reduced Testing
The student is tested in an environment which minimizes distractions for the student. Each student has different levels of distractibility and different stimuli which may distract them. Typically, students need an environment which minimizes both auditory (e.g. copy machines, talking, other noises) and visual distractions (e.g. people walking in and out). A distraction-reduced environment does not necessitate the student's testing in a private room, nor does it mean that an environment is completely distraction-free. Often students will use white-noise machines, white-noise/noise-cancelling headphones, or a partition to cut down on visual distractions.
Dyscalculia
A severe difficulty in understanding and using symbols or functions needed for success in mathematics.
Dysgraphia
A severe difficulty in producing handwriting that is legible and written at an age-appropriate speed.
Dyslexia
A severe difficulty in understanding or using one or more areas of language, including listening, speaking, reading, writing, and spelling.
Dysomnia
A marked difficulty in remembering names or recalling words needed for oral or written language.
Dyspraxia
A severe difficulty in performing drawing, writing, buttoning, and other tasks requiring fine motor skill, or in sequencing the necessary movements.
Enlarged Print Books/Handouts
Most ordinary print is six to ten points in height (about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch). Large type is fourteen to eighteen points (about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch) and sometimes larger. The format of large print books is also proportionately larger (usually 8 1/2 x 11 inches).
Extended Time Testing
A common accommodation used among students with various disabilities (physical, cognitive, psychological). At Regis University, students who are eligible for this accommodation are typically granted either 50% (time and a half) or 100% (double) extra time to complete an exam. This accommodation is put in place to allow the student equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge despite their disability.
FM Sound Amplification System
Electronic amplification system consisting of three components: a microphone/transmitter, monaural FM receiver and a combination charger/carrying case. It provides wireless FM broadcast from a speaker to a listener who has a hearing impairment.
Hearing impairment
Complete or partial loss of one’s ability to hear. This could be caused by a variety of injuries or diseases including congenital defects.
Impairment
Term used in the ADA definition of disability. Includes any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more body systems, such as neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, immune, circulatory, hemic, lymphatic, skin, and endocrine; or any mental or psychological disorder, such as an intellectual disability (formerly termed "mental retardation"), organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.
Interpreter
As realted to disability services, this is a professional person who assists a deaf person in communicating with hearing people through the use of sign language.
Learning Modalities
Approaches to assessment or instruction emphasizing the auditory, visual, or tactile/kinesthetic avenues for learning that are dependent upon the individual.
Learning Styles
Approaches to assessment or instruction emphasizing the variations in temperament, attitude, and preferred manner of tackling a task. Typically considered are styles along the active/passive, reflective/impulsive, or verbal/spatial dimensions. Other styles of learning can include: auditory, visual, kinesthetic, or a combination of all three.
Major life activities
Functions such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, working, and participating in community activities (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990); term used in the ADA definition of disability. It refers to activities that an average person can perform with little or no difficulty. Major life activities include, but are not limited to: caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, sitting, reaching, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, interacting with others, and working; and the operation of a major bodily function, including functions of the immune system, special sense organs and skin; normal cell growth; and digestive, genitourinary, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, cardiovascular, endocrine, hemic, lymphatic, musculoskeletal, and reproductive functions. The operation of a major bodily function includes the operation of an individual organ within a body system.
Minimal Brain Dysfunction (MBD)
A medical and psychological term originally used to refer to the learning difficulties that seemed to result from identified or presumed damage to the brain. Reflects a medical rather than educational or vocational orientation.
Mobility impairment
Disability that affects movement ranging from gross motor skills such as walking to fine motor movement involving manipulation of objects by hand. Note Taker: Due to various disabilities, a student may find it difficult to take their own notes in class. Another individual (typically another student taking the same course) will share their class notes with the student. This is to help the student fill the gaps in their own notes or have the visual access to notes that they are unable to take on their own.
Note Taker
Due to various disabilities, a student may find it difficult to take their own notes in class. Another individual (typically another student taking the same course) will share their class notes with the student. This is to help the student fill the gaps in their own notes or have the visual access to notes that they are unable to take on their own.
Perceptual Disability:
Difficulty in accurately processing, organizing, and discriminating among visual, auditory, or tactile information. A person with a perceptual handicap may say that "cap/cup" sound the same or that "b" and "d" look the same. However, glasses or hearing aids do not necessarily indicate a perceptual handicap.
Peripheral neuropathy
A condition caused by damage to the nerves in the peripheral nervous system which includes nerves that run from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
Physical or mental impairment
Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genito-urinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990).
Qualified Individual
An individual who satisfies the requisite skill, experience, education and other job-related requirements of the employment position such individual holds or desires, and who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of such position. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability against a qualified individual.
Qualified individual with a disability
An individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable modification to rules, policies, or practices, the removal of architectural, communication, or transportation barriers, or the provision of auxiliary aids and services, meets the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of services or the participation in programs or activities provided by a public entity (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990).
Reader
Volunteer or employee of an individual with a disability (e.g., visual impairment, learning disability) who reads printed material in person or records to audiotape.
Reading system
Hardware and software designed to provide access to printed text for people with visual impairments, mobility impairments, or learning disabilities. Character recognition software controls a scanner that takes an image of a printed page, converts it to computer text using recognition software and then reads the text using a synthesized voice.
Real Time Captionist
CART stenographer who types the conversations word for word (used by deaf and hard-of-hearing students). See “CART” definition above.
Reasonable Accommodation
Under Title I, a modification or adjustment to a job, the work environment, school, or the way things usually are done that enables a qualified individual with a disability to equal access. Reasonable accommodation is a key nondiscrimination requirement of the ADA. A reasonable accommodation may not be the preferred accommodation by a student.
Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI)
A disability that may be chronic or acute and usually is described as pain caused by overuse of extremities, usually hands and wrists.
Screen enlargement
Hardware and/or software that increases the size of characters and text on a computer screen.
Screen reader
Software used to echo text on a computer screen to audio output, often used by people who are blind, with visual impairments, or with learning disabilities.
Self-Advocacy
The development of specific skills and understandings that enable children and adults to explain their specific learning disabilities to others and cope positively with the attitudes of peers, parents, teachers, and employers.
Sensory impairment
A disability that affects touch, sight and/or hearing.
Separate Testing Room
Students who have an inability to focus on one thing. Easily distracted by auditory or visual stimuli (ADHD, TBI, some Learning Disabilities).
Sign language
Manual communication commonly used by deaf. The gestures or symbols in sign language are organized in a linguistic way. Each individual gesture is called a sign. Each sign has three distinct parts; the handshape, the position of the hands, and the movement of the hands. American Sign Language (ASL) is the most commonly used sign language in the United States. Deaf people from different countries speak different sign languages.
Specific Language Disability (SLD)
A severe difficulty in some aspect of listening, speaking, reading, writing, or spelling, while skills in the other areas are age-appropriate. Also called Specific Language Learning Disability (SLLD).
Specific Learning Disability
Disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which may manifest itself in difficulties listening, thinking, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, or doing mathematical calculations. Frequent limitations include hyperactivity, distractibility, emotional instability, visual and/or auditory perception difficulties and/or motor limitations, depending on the type(s) of learning disability; The official term used in federal legislation to refer to difficulty in certain areas of learning, rather than in all areas of learning. Synonymous with learning disabilities.
Speech impairment
Problems in communication and related areas such as oral motor function, ranging from simple sound substitutions to the inability to understand or use language or use the oral-motor mechanism for functional speech.
Test Reader
Software that is used to read an exam aloud to an individual with a vision impairment or learning disability.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Open and closed head injuries resulting in impairments in one or more areas, including cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem-solving; sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech. The term does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital, degenerative, or induced by birth trauma.
Universal design
Designing programs, services, tools, and facilities so that they are useable, without modification, by the widest range of users possible, taking into account a variety of abilities and disabilities.
Universal design of instruction
The design of instructional materials and activities that make learning achievable by students with a wide variety of abilities and disabilities. Example: Only using videos that are close-captioned. This would benefit someone not only with a hearing impairment, but those who retain information best through reading.
Use of Computer for Essay Exams
Students with impairments that affect their ability to hand write (TBI, Learning Disability, low vision or blind) are some examples.
Vision impairments
Complete or partial loss of ability to see, caused by a variety of injuries or diseases including congenital defects. Legal blindness is defined as visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses, or widest diameter of visual field subtending an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees.