Disability & Accessibility Glossary

Ableism

Discrimination against disabled people. This includes attitudes, stereotypes, and barriers that exclude or disadvantage people with disabilities. Can be individual (personal prejudice) or systemic (built into institutions and society).

Disability

A physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that affects a person's ability to perform certain activities or interact with the world in typical ways. The disability community generally views disability through the social model - that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their conditions.

Disabled Person vs Person with a Disability

Both terms are used, and preferences vary. "Disabled person" (identity-first) is often preferred in disability activism and acknowledges disability as part of identity. "Person with a disability" (person-first) emphasizes the person over the condition. Ask individuals their preference.

On KindredAccess, we generally use identity-first language but respect all preferences.

Neurodivergent / Neurodiverse

Having a brain that functions differently from what society considers "typical." Includes autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurological differences. "Neurodiverse" refers to the natural variation in human brains across a population.

Related: Neurotypical (NT) - having a brain that functions in ways society considers typical

Spoonie

Someone living with chronic illness or disability who relates to Spoon Theory. Used as a term of community and identity by many in chronic illness spaces.

Ally

A non-disabled person who supports disability rights and works to be inclusive. Good allyship means listening to disabled voices, challenging ableism, and supporting accessibility without centering yourself.

Inspiration Porn

Media that portrays disabled people as "inspirational" simply for living their lives or doing ordinary things. This objectifies disabled people and frames disability as something to overcome for non-disabled people's benefit.

Chronic Illness

A long-lasting health condition that may not have a cure. Includes conditions like fibromyalgia, lupus, Crohn's disease, diabetes, and many others. Many chronic illnesses are invisible and have fluctuating symptoms.

Invisible Disability / Hidden Disability

A disability that isn't immediately apparent to others. Includes many chronic illnesses, mental health conditions, chronic pain, autism, ADHD, and more. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not real or significant.

Dynamic Disability

A disability whose symptoms and severity fluctuate over time. Someone might need a wheelchair some days but not others, or have varying energy levels. This is normal and valid.

Deaf / deaf / Hard of Hearing (HoH)

Capital "D" Deaf refers to the cultural identity and community. Lowercase "deaf" refers to the audiological condition. "Hard of Hearing" describes people with some hearing loss. Preferences for terms vary - some prefer "Deaf," others prefer "hearing impaired" or other terms.

Blind / Low Vision

Blind describes people with no functional vision or very limited vision. Low vision describes people with significant vision impairment that can't be fully corrected. Some people use "visually impaired" as an umbrella term.

Autism / Autistic

A neurological difference affecting social communication, sensory processing, and behavior patterns. Most autistic people prefer identity-first language ("autistic person" rather than "person with autism"). Avoid outdated terms like "high/low functioning."

ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - a neurological condition affecting attention, impulse control, and executive function. Affects adults as well as children. The "hyperactive" component isn't always present.

Spoon Theory

A metaphor for limited energy created by Christine Miserandino. "Spoons" represent units of energy. People with chronic illness or disability start each day with limited spoons, and every activity costs spoons. When you're out of spoons, you can't do more without consequences.

Example: "I'm out of spoons today" means "I've used all my available energy."

Flare / Flare-up

A period when chronic illness symptoms significantly worsen. Can be triggered by stress, weather, activity, or happen randomly. During flares, people may need to cancel plans, rest more, or use additional aids.

Brain Fog

Difficulty thinking clearly, concentrating, or remembering things. Common with many chronic illnesses, mental health conditions, and during flares. Not laziness or lack of intelligence - it's a real symptom.

Masking

Hiding disability symptoms or neurodivergent traits to appear "normal." Common among autistic people, those with ADHD, and people with invisible disabilities. Masking is exhausting and can lead to burnout.

Burnout

Extreme exhaustion from chronic stress, often from masking, overworking, or pushing through illness. Autistic burnout specifically refers to intense exhaustion affecting all areas of life, often requiring extended recovery.

Pacing

Managing energy by balancing activity and rest to avoid crashes or flares. Important for many chronic illnesses. May involve planning activities carefully, taking breaks, or limiting certain activities.

Accommodation

A change or adjustment that helps a disabled person participate equally. Can be workplace accommodations (flexible schedule, ergonomic equipment), educational accommodations (extra time, note-takers), or social accommodations (quiet spaces, written instructions).

Accessibility (A11y)

The design of products, environments, and services so they can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities. "A11y" is shorthand (a + 11 letters + y). Good accessibility benefits everyone, not just disabled people.

Universal Design

Designing things to be usable by all people without needing adaptation. Examples: curb cuts (help wheelchair users, parents with strollers, delivery workers), captions (help deaf people, people in loud places, language learners).

Screen Reader

Software that reads screen content aloud for blind or low-vision users. Common screen readers include JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver. Websites need proper structure and alt-text to work well with screen readers.

Alt Text / Image Description

Text that describes an image for people who can't see it. Used by screen readers and shows when images don't load. Should describe what's meaningful about the image, not just "image of..."

Captions / Subtitles

Text display of audio content. Closed captions (CC) can be turned on/off and include sound effects. Essential for deaf/HoH people, also helpful in loud environments or for language learners.

WCAG

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines - international standards for web accessibility. Levels A, AA, and AAA indicate increasing accessibility. Most regulations require AA compliance.

Social Model of Disability

The view that people are disabled by barriers in society (inaccessible buildings, discriminatory attitudes) rather than by their bodies or minds. Contrasts with the medical model, which focuses on "fixing" individuals.

Medical Model of Disability

The view that disability is a problem to be cured or fixed, focusing on what's "wrong" with individuals. While medical treatment is valuable, this model can be harmful when it ignores social barriers and treats disabled people as broken.

Mobility Aid

Equipment that helps with movement: wheelchairs (manual or power), walkers, canes, crutches, rollators, scooters. Using mobility aids is not giving up - it's enabling independence and participation.

Ambulatory Wheelchair User

Someone who uses a wheelchair but can also walk. This is common and valid - wheelchair use isn't all-or-nothing. Someone might walk short distances but need a wheelchair for longer ones, or have variable abilities.

Service Animal

An animal (usually a dog) trained to perform specific tasks for a disabled person. Service dogs are legally protected and allowed in public places. Tasks can include guiding, alerting to sounds, detecting medical events, providing stability, and more.

Emotional support animals (ESAs) provide comfort but aren't trained for specific tasks and don't have the same legal access rights.

Caregiver / Carer / PCA

Someone who provides care and assistance. Can be family, friends, or paid professionals. PCA (Personal Care Attendant/Assistant) specifically refers to someone who helps with daily living activities.