Technical Glossary

Accessible Online Learning Tools

These are not only online education sources, but also other resources and programs related to online learning tools and accessible learning resources in general.

Alternative Keyboards

Alternative keyboard layouts and other enhancements allow people who experience difficulty with conventional keyboard designs to use computers. 

Alternative Mouse Systems

Alternative pointing devices, trackballs and keypads are used to replace the mouse. 

Animated Signing Characters (also called Signing Avatars)

Animated signing characters are a technology for displaying signed communication without the necessity of displaying a digitized video of a human signer.

Braille Embosser

A Braille Embosser is a hardware device for "printing" a hard copy of electronic text documents in Braille. 

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV's) allow users to quickly magnify any objects placed under a camera unit. CCTV's vary in size from portable pocket-sized units to stationary cameras with large displays. 

Display-based Personal Data Assistants

Display-based Personal Data Assistants (or PDAs) are handheld computers. PDAs were originally used mainly for organizational purposes and acted as electronic day planners, but new technology has led to their increased usage in many different tasks that were formerly only possible with a home computer. 

Electronic Aids to Daily Living Systems

Electronic Aids for Daily Living (EADL) are simply devices, or systems, that allow individuals to control facets of their environment.

Grammatical Support Tools

Grammatical support tools allow people who have difficulties with grammar to make their computing and writing tasks much easier. 

Haptic Devices

A haptic interface is a device which allows a user to interact with a computer by receiving tactile feed back. This feedback is achieved by applying a degree of opposing force to the user along the x, y, and z axes.

Linux Accessibility

Linux is a free, open-source Operating System distributed under the Free Software Foundation's GNU General Public License(GPL) that has grown in popularity in the past few years. Because of the non-commercial nature of Linux, the accessibility options can be hard to find. These links are a starting point for Linux accessibility.

Non-Display based Personal Digital Assistant

Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) are portable computers that are designed to act as organizers, note takers and/or communication devices.

On-Screen Keyboards

An onscreen keyboard generally appears on the same display used for programs and will remain permanently visible. The keyboard can then be accessed using pointer devices. In the simplest sense a pointer is a standard mouse, but through the use of alternative pointer devices or switches a large number of disabilities can be accommodated.

Optical Character Recognition / Reading Software

Optical character recognition (OCR) is the process of converting an image of text, such as a scanned paper document or electronic fax file, into computer-editable text. 

Refreshable Braille Display

Refreshable Braille Displays are electronic devices that are used to read text that a computer sends to the monitor. The device is connected to the computer by a serial cable and produces Braille output on the Braille display. Refreshable Braille displays only read one line of text at a time.

Screen Magnifiers

Screen magnification software enlarges the information on the screen by pre-determined incremental factor. Magnification programs run simultaneously and seamlessly with the computer's operating system and applications.

Screen Readers and Talking Browsers

Screen readers are used to replace the visual display traditionally viewed on a monitor for those with visual disabilities. Hardware and software produce synthesized voice output for text displayed on the computer screen, as well as for keystrokes entered on the keyboard.

Speech Synthesizer

An external speech synthesizer is a hardware device used for speech output. Typically, they are used with screen readers or OCR/scanning software [Optical Character Recognition] programs for people who are blind or visually disabled.

Switches

Switches are a common solution for users with mobility disabilities who need to use computers or other electronic devices, but have difficulty with the physical interface. 

Talking Browsers and Email software

Talking browsers and email software converts text from a document like a web page or an email message into audible speech. This software is ideal for people who have visual, cognitive, or physical impairments that need assistance with reading the content of their web pages and/or email. 

Text to Speech

Text-to-Speech software is used to convert words from a computer document (e.g. word processor document, web page) into audible speech spoken through the computer speaker. 

Voice Output Communication Aids

Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCA) / Speech Generating Devices (SGD) are electronic devices that are able to generate printed and/or spoken text. They aid individuals who are unable to use natural speech to meet all of their communication needs.

Voice Recognition

Voice Recognition allows a user to use his/her voice as an input device. Voice recognition may be used to dictate text into the computer or to give commands to the computer (such as opening application programs, pulling down menus, or saving work). 

Word Prediction

Word prediction technology is used to assist with text entry. These software packages predict the word you are typing and the next word based on word frequency and context.

Information from the Adaptive Technology Resource Centre, University of Toronto