Glossary of Assistive Technology
Plain-language definitions for 135 terms used across AAC, screen readers, switch access, eye gaze, funding sources, and more.
Communication & AAC
8 terms- AAC Augmentative and Alternative Communication — tools and strategies that supplement or replace speech for people who have difficulty communicating verbally.
- core vocabulary A small set of high-frequency words (like "want," "go," "more," "help") that make up the majority of everyday communication.
- PODD PODD stands for Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display, a AAC book or app-based communication system developed by Gayle Porter.
- PRC-Saltillo PRC, now operating as PRC-Saltillo following a merger with Saltillo Corporation, is a manufacturer of dedicated augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices and software.
- speech-generating device An electronic device that produces spoken words when a user selects symbols, letters, or words.
- symbol set A library of pictures or icons used to build AAC vocabularies — like PCS, SymbolStix, Widgit, ARASAAC, and Bliss.
- symbol-based communication A method of communication using pictures, icons, or symbols to represent words and concepts.
- voice banking Recording your natural voice while you still can, so it can be used later in a speech-generating device.
Access methods
8 terms- alternative input Any method of controlling a computer or device besides a standard keyboard and mouse.
- direct selection Choosing an item by pointing to it directly — touching a screen, clicking with a mouse, or looking at it with eye gaze.
- dwell Hovering over an item for a set amount of time to "click" it — used with eye gaze and head tracking.
- eye gaze A technology that tracks where you're looking on a screen and uses that as input — like a mouse controlled by your eyes.
- head tracking Using head movement to control a mouse cursor on screen.
- scanning An access method where a device highlights options one at a time (or group by group), and the user activates a switch when the desired option is highlighted.
- sip-and-puff An input method that detects breath — a sip (inhale) and a puff (exhale) through a straw-like tube.
- switch access A way of controlling a device using one or more switches — physical buttons that can be activated by any reliable movement (hand, head, foot, breath).
Vision
10 terms- APH APH stands for the American Printing House for the Blind, a federally supported nonprofit that develops and distributes educational materials, tools, and technology for people who are blind or have low vision.
- BRF BRF, or Braille Ready Format, is a file format used to store braille text that can be read on refreshable braille displays or embossed on a braille printer.
- DAISY DAISY, which stands for Digital Accessible Information System, is a structured audio and e-book format designed for people who are blind, have low vision, or have print disabilities such as dyslexia.
- JAWS JAWS (Job Access With Speech) is a screen reader for Windows developed by Freedom Scientific that converts on-screen text and interface elements into synthesized speech or braille output.
- NLS NLS stands for the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, a free U.S.
- NVDA NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free, open-source screen reader for Windows that reads on-screen text, menus, and controls aloud using synthesized speech or sends the output to a refreshable braille display.
- refreshable braille display A device with a row of small pins that raise and lower to form braille characters, updating as you move through content on screen.
- screen magnification Software that enlarges part of the screen, like a digital magnifying glass.
- screen reader Software that reads aloud everything on a computer or phone screen — text, buttons, menus, images (if labeled).
- UEB UEB stands for Unified English Braille, the standardized braille code adopted across English-speaking countries to replace the many separate codes that previously existed for literary text, math, and technical content.
Hearing
14 terms- amplified phone A telephone with built-in amplification that makes incoming sound louder than a standard phone.
- assistive listening device Any device that helps someone hear better in specific situations — like a personal amplifier, FM system, or hearing loop.
- BAHA Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid — a hearing device that transmits sound through the skull bone directly to the inner ear, bypassing the outer and middle ear.
- BTE BTE stands for behind-the-ear, a hearing aid style in which the main electronics sit in a housing that rests on the back of the outer ear, connected to the ear canal by tubing or a thin wire.
- captioning Text displayed on screen that shows what's being said, plus important sounds.
- CART Communication Access Real-time Translation — live captioning by a trained captioner who types speech as it happens.
- cochlear implant A surgically implanted device that bypasses damaged parts of the inner ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve.
- FM FM stands for Frequency Modulation, a radio transmission method used in assistive listening systems to send audio wirelessly from a microphone or sound source directly to a receiver worn by the listener.
- hearing aid A small electronic device worn in or behind the ear that amplifies sound for people with hearing loss.
- hearing loop A wire installed around a room or area that sends sound directly to hearing aids set to the T-coil (telecoil) setting.
- OTC Over-the-counter hearing aids are devices that adults with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing difficulty can buy directly — in a store or online — without a prescription, hearing exam, or audiologist fitting.
- PSAP Personal Sound Amplification Product — a consumer device with a microphone and earpiece that boosts nearby sounds for someone with mild-to-moderate hearing loss.
- telecoil A small wire coil inside a hearing aid or cochlear implant that picks up audio directly from hearing loops, compatible telephones, and other induction sources.
- voice amplifier A small, wearable speaker system that makes a quiet voice louder.
Cognitive & learning
3 terms- text-to-speech Technology that converts written text into spoken audio.
- voice recognition Software that converts speech to text or commands — dictate documents, control your computer, navigate apps, all by voice.
- word prediction Software that suggests words as you type, reducing the number of keystrokes needed.
Mobility
3 terms- manual wheelchair A non-motorized wheelchair propelled by pushing the rims or by a caregiver pushing from behind.
- power wheelchair A battery-powered wheelchair controlled by a joystick, sip-and-puff, head array, or other input.
- wheelchair A wheeled chair used for mobility by people who can't walk or who tire easily walking.
Conditions
18 terms- ALS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis — a progressive disease that destroys nerve cells controlling muscles.
- aphasia A language disorder caused by brain injury (often stroke) that affects the ability to speak, understand speech, read, or write.
- apraxia of speech A motor speech disorder where the brain has trouble planning the movements needed to produce speech.
- autism spectrum disorder A developmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior.
- cerebral palsy A group of disorders affecting movement and posture, caused by brain injury before, during, or shortly after birth.
- CVI CVI stands for Cerebral Visual Impairment (sometimes called Cortical Visual Impairment), a brain-based visual condition that is the leading cause of visual impairment in children in developed countries.
- Down syndrome A genetic condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.
- dysarthria Slurred or slow speech caused by weak or uncoordinated muscles used for speaking.
- dyslexia A learning difference that primarily affects reading and spelling.
- dysphagia Difficulty swallowing food or liquids safely.
- glaucoma A group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, usually from elevated pressure inside the eye.
- low vision Vision loss that can't be fully corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery, but isn't total blindness.
- macular degeneration A progressive eye disease that damages the central part of the retina (the macula), blurring or distorting central vision while peripheral vision stays intact.
- retinitis pigmentosa An inherited disease that gradually damages the retina, causing night blindness and shrinking peripheral vision over years or decades.
- Rett syndrome A rare genetic neurological disorder, almost always affecting girls, that causes loss of purposeful hand use, mobility, and spoken language after a period of typical early development.
- SEN SEN stands for Special Educational Needs, a term used primarily in the UK and Ireland to describe children who require additional support due to learning difficulties, disabilities, or developmental differences.
- spasticity Muscles that are stiff or tight and resist movement, often caused by cerebral palsy, stroke, or spinal cord injury.
- traumatic brain injury Brain damage from an external force (fall, accident, etc.) that can affect cognition, communication, movement, or behavior.
Professionals & services
12 terms- AT specialist A professional (often in a school or agency) who helps identify, set up, and train people on assistive technology.
- ATP Assistive Technology Professional — someone certified by RESNA to evaluate, recommend, and set up assistive technology.
- CLVT CLVT stands for Certified Low Vision Therapist, a credential held by rehabilitation professionals who specialize in training people with low vision to use their remaining sight and assistive tools more effectively.
- IEP Individualized Education Program — a legally binding plan for a student with a disability in a US public school.
- IFSP Individualized Family Service Plan — similar to an IEP, but for children birth to age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities.
- ISAAC International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication — the global professional and consumer organization for AAC.
- OT Occupational Therapist — a professional who helps people perform daily activities.
- PT Physical Therapist — a professional who helps people improve movement and manage pain.
- RESNA Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America — the professional body that certifies assistive technology professionals (ATPs and related credentials) and sets practice standards.
- RET Rehabilitation Engineer or Technologist — a professional who designs, modifies, or customizes AT solutions.
- SLP Speech-Language Pathologist — a professional who evaluates and treats communication and swallowing disorders.
- TVI TVI stands for Teacher of the Visually Impaired, a specialist trained to provide instruction and support to students who are blind or have low vision.
Technology
14 terms- adapted keyboard A keyboard modified for people who have difficulty using a standard one.
- alerting system A device that converts sounds (doorbell, phone, fire alarm, baby crying) into signals a deaf or hard-of-hearing person can perceive — flashing lights, vibrations, or visual notifications on a display.
- Bluetooth switch interface A wireless adapter that connects physical switches to tablets, phones, or computers via Bluetooth.
- CCTV In assistive technology, a closed-circuit television is a video magnifier — a camera that displays a magnified image on a screen.
- DECT DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) is a wireless standard used in cordless phones and some assistive listening devices.
- DSP DSP stands for Digital Signal Processor, a specialized chip or software algorithm that manipulates audio or other signals in real time.
- EPUB EPUB (Electronic Publication) is an open e-book file format widely used for accessible digital reading materials.
- joystick An input device that controls cursor movement by tilting a stick in any direction.
- keyguard A rigid cover with holes over each key on a keyboard or communication device.
- NFC Near Field Communication is a short-range wireless technology that lets a device read data from a small chip or tag when held within a few centimeters of it.
- OCR OCR stands for optical character recognition, a technology that converts printed or handwritten text captured by a camera or scanner into digital text a computer can process.
- sensory tool An item designed to provide specific sensory input — weighted blankets, fidget tools, vibrating cushions, bubble tubes, fiber optic lights.
- trackball An input device with a ball you roll to move the cursor, without moving the device itself.
- visual schedule A sequence of pictures, symbols, or words showing the steps in a routine or the events in a day.
Hardware & devices
7 terms- environmental control unit A system that lets someone control things in their environment — lights, TV, thermostat, door locks — using alternative inputs like switches, voice, or eye gaze.
- mounting system Hardware that holds a device in position — attached to a wheelchair, table, bed, or floor stand.
- patient lift A device that lifts and transfers a person between bed, chair, toilet, or floor using a sling.
- switch A simple button or sensor that detects one action — a press, squeeze, blink, or breath.
- switch interface A device that connects switches to a computer, tablet, or communication device.
- transfer board A smooth, sturdy board placed between two surfaces (like a wheelchair and a bed) so the user can slide across instead of being lifted.
- TTY TTY stands for teletypewriter, a device that lets people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities send and receive typed text over a standard phone line in real time.
Product types
8 terms- adaptive utensil Eating utensils designed for people with limited grip, tremor, weak grasp, or one-handed use.
- daily living aid Simple tools and adaptations that make everyday tasks easier — button hooks, jar openers, built-up handles, reachers, sock aids, and adapted utensils.
- EADL Electronic Aids to Daily Living — devices that help people control their environment electronically (lights, TV, doors, phone) using whatever input method works for them.
- high-tech AAC Electronic devices or apps that generate speech output — dedicated speech-generating devices, tablet-based AAC apps, or computer programs.
- low-tech AAC Communication tools that don't use batteries or electronics — picture boards, communication books, letter boards, eye-gaze frames.
- reacher A long-handled tool with a gripping claw at the end, used to pick up dropped objects or reach items on high shelves.
- talking device Everyday items with added speech output — talking watches, clocks, thermometers, scales, calculators, and label readers.
- white cane A lightweight cane used by people who are blind or have low vision to detect obstacles, curbs, and changes in terrain while walking.
Funding & policy
21 terms- ABLE account A tax-advantaged savings account for people with disabilities (onset before age 26) that doesn't count against Medicaid or SSI asset limits.
- ADA The Americans with Disabilities Act is a U.S.
- AT Act program Every US state has an Assistive Technology Act program that offers device demonstrations, short-term loans (try before you buy), and help finding funding.
- AT assessment A formal evaluation by a qualified professional (like an OT or SLP) to determine which assistive technology best fits someone's needs, abilities, and environment.
- AT loan program A program (often run by a state AT Act program) that lends AT devices for a trial period — usually 30 days.
- AT reuse Programs that collect donated AT devices, refurbish them, and redistribute them at low or no cost.
- device demonstration A guided, hands-on look at an assistive technology device, led by someone who knows the equipment.
- durable medical equipment Equipment that can withstand repeated use, serves a medical purpose, and is appropriate for home use.
- HCPCS code A billing code used to identify medical devices and services for insurance claims.
- IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act — the federal law that guarantees free, appropriate public education to children with disabilities.
- Medicaid waiver A state program that uses federal Medicaid funding to pay for services (including AT) for people with disabilities, often allowing them to live at home rather than in an institution.
- medical necessity The standard insurance uses to decide whether to cover an AT device: a qualified professional must document that the device is needed to treat a medical condition and that no cheaper alternative would work.
- Medicare Federal health insurance for people 65+ or with certain disabilities.
- prior authorization Insurance company approval required before they'll pay for a device.
- Section 504 The part of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act that prohibits disability discrimination by any program receiving federal funding — schools, hospitals, and most government services.
- Section 508 The part of the Rehabilitation Act that requires federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities.
- supplemental security income A federal program providing monthly payments to people with disabilities who have limited income and resources.
- UDL Universal Design for Learning — a framework for designing instruction so the widest range of learners can succeed without retrofits.
- vocational rehabilitation A state-federal program that helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep jobs.
- WCAG Web Content Accessibility Guidelines — the international standard for making websites accessible to people with disabilities.
- WIOA Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act — federal law that funds workforce-development programs, including vocational rehabilitation services that pay for assistive technology needed for employment.
General
9 terms- assistive technology Any device, software, or equipment that helps a person with a disability do things they otherwise couldn't, or do them more easily.
- AT abandonment When someone stops using an AT device.
- customization Adjusting an AT device to fit a specific person — vocabulary selection on an AAC device, switch sensitivity, scan speed, display contrast, button size.
- dedicated device A piece of hardware built specifically for one purpose — like a standalone AAC device or a specialized magnifier.
- feature matching The process of matching a person's specific abilities, needs, and preferences to the features of an AT device.
- interoperability The ability of different AT devices and systems to work together.
- NOAA NOAA stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S.
- SOS SOS is an internationally recognized emergency distress signal, now built into many assistive and wearable devices as an alert feature that lets a user quickly summon help — often by pressing a button or triggering automatic fall detection — sending an alert to emergency contacts or emergency services.
- universal design Designing products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without needing adaptation.
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