Learning respectful disability language means that people with disabilities feel understood and accepted. Imagine living in a world where you constantly have to explain why others’ words are offensive. This glossary of disability and accessibility terms will help ensure that every person, regardless of their ability, feels respected.

Ableism: The idea is that able-bodied people are considered normal, while others need to be fixed, resulting in discrimination against people with disabilities.

Accessibility: The ability to access how a system functions. Accessible designs ensure that people have both assisted and unassisted access using assistive technology.

Accessible Seating: Seating offered and reserved for people with limited mobility or those who use wheelchairs.

Accessible Technology: Technology designed with the needs of different users in mind, with customizable features to personalize experiences based on individual needs.

Accommodation: Any change or modification made to accommodate people with disabilities, such as  providing accessible seating, assistive listening devices, or braille format.

Adaptive Technology: Adjustments made to existing technology to facilitate use by people with disabilities, helping them accomplish various tasks.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A neurodevelopmental disorder that can lead to challenges in attention, impulsive control and hyperactivity. Please note that not all of these symptoms may be present for someone to be diagnosed with ADHD.

American Sign Language (ASL): The main sign language of the deaf community in most of North America.

Assistive Technology: Equipment or systems used to improve or increase the use of devices for people with disabilities, such as computer keyboards, mouse, displays, and screen readers.

Autism Spectrum Disorder: A neurological and developmental disorder that causes social or communication difficulties, repetitive movements, and challenges in attention and learning.

Blindness: The inability to see due to disease, injury, or a congenital condition.

Deafness: The condition where someone is unable to hear or has impaired hearing.

Disability: A mental or physical impairment that may limit someone’s daily activities.

Disability Inclusion: The process of creating a workplace and society where all individuals can thrive, regardless of their abilities.

Dyslexia: A learning disability that affects reading, reading comprehension, writing, and spelling.

Intellectual Disability: A disability that limits someone’s ability to learn and process information.

Learning Disability: A disability that interferes with someone’s ability to process, remember, or produce information.

Mental Health Disability: A medical condition that interferes with thinking, feeling, mood, or daily function.

Mobility Device: Any motor-driven device, such as a wheelchair or scooter, that allows people with disabilities  to move freely.

Neurodiversity: Neurodiversity refers to the different ways the brain works with different people. Neurodivergent people have brains that work differently than what is considered neurotypical.

Physical Accessibility: Making spaces like parking lots, bathrooms, and elevators more accessible for all people.

Physical Disability: A disability that affects how someone moves and may be referred to as a mobility challenge.

Sensory Processing Issues: Trouble organizing information associated with the senses, such as smell, touch, sight, and sound. This can be associated with various conditions and is most commonly seen in both Autism and ADHD.

Service Animal: A dog trained to help do different tasks for people with disabilities.

Speech impairment: A language impairment that impairs someone’s ability to produce speech.

Universal Design (UD): A design approach to policies, products, or places that meet the needs of everyone, regardless of their ability, age, or other factors.

Reasonable accommodation: An adjustment or modification to a job or workspace, or any aspect of life that helps any person work effectively or access services. Also known as an equal employment opportunity.