Vocabulary Words Every Accessibility Designer Should Know

Access

Definition: The ability to enter or use something; to gain entry.

• Students have access to the library after school.
• She needs access to the internet for her research.
• They provide access to resources for learning.

Access in a sentence

Help

Definition: To assist someone with something.

• Can you help me with my homework?
• She helped her mother in the kitchen.
• He always helps his friends.

Help in a sentence

Read

Definition: To look at and understand written words.

• I love to read books before bedtime.
• Can you read this sentence aloud?
• She will read the story to the class.

Read in a sentence

See

Definition: To use your eyes to look at something.

• I can see the stars at night.
• She sees her friends every weekend.
• Can you see the bird on the tree?

See in a sentence

Click

Definition: To press a button on a computer mouse or device.

• Please click the link to open the website.
• I heard the click when I closed the door.
• You can click on the image to see it bigger.

Click in a sentence

Open

Definition: To allow access to something; to make available.

• Please open the window to let in fresh air.
• He will open the door for his guests.
• They decided to open a new restaurant downtown.

Open in a sentence

Close

Definition: To shut something; to bring something to an end.

• Please close the door when you leave.
• He likes to close his book before sleeping.
• She wants to close the deal by Friday.

Close in a sentence

Button

Definition: A small round object used to fasten clothing or as a control on devices.

• He pressed the button to start the machine.
• She sewed a button onto her coat.
• The remote has a button for changing the channels.

Button in a sentence

Link

Definition: A connection between two things; can be a website address.

• You can find the link to the article in the email.
• She clicked on the link to open the website.
• There is a link between exercise and health.

Link in a sentence

Form

Definition: The shape or structure of something; also can mean to create.

• The teacher asked us to fill out a form.
• He likes to form new ideas during discussions.
• Understanding the different forms of art can enhance appreciation.

Form in a sentence

Screen

Definition: A flat surface for displaying images or information; to show something.

• The movie will be shown on the big screen.
• He looked at the screen to see his grades.
• She will screen the video during the presentation.

Screen in a sentence

Menu

Definition: A list of food and drink items available in a restaurant.

• I looked at the menu to decide what to order.
• The restaurant has a special menu for holidays.
• She chose a salad from the menu.

Menu in a sentence

Voice

Definition: The sound produced by a person when speaking or singing.

• She has a beautiful voice.
• I heard his voice in the crowd.
• The teacher encouraged everyone to use their voice.

Voice in a sentence

Text

Definition: Written words; a message sent electronically.

• Please read the text on the page.
• I will text you later with the details.
• He sent a text to his friend.

Text in a sentence

Word

Definition: a single unit of language with meaning

• Can you spell that word for me?
• He used a big word in his essay.
• The word "happy" means feeling good.

Word in a sentence

Large

Definition: Big in size, quantity, or degree.

• The elephant is a large animal.
• She bought a large pizza for the party.
• He has a large collection of stamps.

Large in a sentence

Small

Definition: Not large in size, amount, or degree.

• He has a small dog that fits in his bag.
• The small house is cozy and warm.
• She prefers small books that are easy to carry.

Small in a sentence

Clear

Definition: Easy to see through; free from obstruction or confusion.

• The water in the lake is clear.
• Please make your instructions clear.
• Her explanation was clear and easy to understand.

Clear in a sentence

Find

Definition: To discover or locate something that was lost or hidden.

• I need to find my keys before leaving the house.
• She hopes to find a good book to read.
• Understanding how to find things can improve organization.

Find in a sentence

Write

Definition: To put words on paper or a screen.

• She likes to write stories in her notebook.
• Please write your name on the form.
• He will write a letter to his friend.

Write in a sentence

Design

Definition: A plan or drawing for something.

• He made a beautiful design for the dress.
• The building has a modern design.
• She loves to design clothes.

Design in a sentence

User

Definition: A person who uses a product or service.

• The app has many users.
• Every user must create an account.
• They conducted a survey for the app users.

User in a sentence

Color

Definition: A property of objects that results from the way they reflect light; a visual perception.

• Her favorite color is blue.
• The drawing has many bright colors.
• He likes to color pictures in his art book.

Color in a sentence

Easy

Definition: Not difficult; simple to do or understand.

• The math problem was easy for him to solve.
• She found the test to be easy and finished quickly.
• Understanding easy concepts helps build confidence in learning.

Easy in a sentence

View

Definition: To look at something; a sight or opinion about something.

• I like to view the sunset from my balcony.
• She had a great view of the mountains.
• He shared his view on the topic during class.

View in a sentence

Tool

Definition: An instrument or device used to perform a task.

• A hammer is a useful tool for building.
• I need a tool to fix my bike.
• He used a tool to cut the wood.

Tool in a sentence

Site

Definition: A location or place, often on the internet.

• We visited a beautiful site during our trip.
• The website is a great site for learning.
• He found a site that sells books online.

Site in a sentence

Image

Definition: A visual representation of something.

• I created an image for my project.
• The image shows a beautiful landscape.
• He likes to take an image of every moment.

Image in a sentence

Sound

Definition: Vibrations that can be heard.

• The sound of music filled the room.
• I heard a strange sound outside.
• She loves the sound of rain.

Sound in a sentence

Safe

Definition: Free from harm or danger.

• It is important to keep our home safe.
• Always wear a helmet to stay safe while biking.
• This is a safe place for kids to play.

Safe in a sentence

Accessibility

Definition: The quality of being easy to reach or use.

• The website improved its accessibility for all users.
• Accessibility is crucial for people with disabilities.
• They focused on accessibility in their new building design.

Accessibility in a sentence

Interface

Definition: The point where two systems meet and interact; a user-friendly design for software.

• The interface of the app is easy to use.
• He learned how to design a user interface.
• The new interface makes navigation simple.

Interface in a sentence

Website

Definition: A collection of web pages accessible through the internet.

• She found a helpful website for studying.
• The school has a website with important information.
• He visited a website to learn about history.

Website in a sentence

Reader

Definition: A person who reads.

• A reader can enjoy various genres of literature.
• She is an avid reader of mystery novels.
• Being a good reader helps improve vocabulary.

Reader in a sentence

Navigation

Definition: The act of determining one's position and planning a route.

• The navigation system helped us find our way.
• Good navigation skills are important for sailors.
• She used a map for navigation during the hike.

Navigation in a sentence

Contrast

Definition: To compare in a way that highlights differences.

• They discussed the contrast between the two books.
• The contrast in colors made the painting vivid.
• He showed the contrast between summer and winter.

Contrast in a sentence

Alternative

Definition: One of two or more available possibilities.

• We need an alternative plan in case it rains.
• She offered an alternative solution to the problem.
• You can choose an alternative route to avoid traffic.

Alternative in a sentence

Keyboard

Definition: A set of keys used to operate a computer or musical instrument.

• She typed on the keyboard to write her essay.
• He plays music using a keyboard.
• The keyboard has many shortcuts for efficiency.

Keyboard in a sentence

Input

Definition: Information or data that is entered into a system; contributions.

• The teacher asked for input from the students on the project.
• They analyzed the input from the survey.
• Your input is valuable in making decisions.

Input in a sentence

Feedback

Definition: Information or comments about someone's performance or work.

• The teacher gave feedback on my essay.
• He appreciated the feedback from his peers.
• Constructive feedback helps improve skills.

Feedback in a sentence

Error

Definition: A mistake or inaccuracy.

• I made an error on my math test.
• He found an error in the report and fixed it.
• It's okay to make an error; we learn from them.

Error in a sentence

Guideline

Definition: A rule or instruction that helps people make decisions.

• The teacher provided guidelines for the project.
• Follow the guideline to stay safe.
• They created a guideline for studying effectively.

Guideline in a sentence

Support

Definition: To help or provide assistance to someone or something.

• Friends should support each other.
• The community came together to support the event.
• We need to support local businesses.

Support in a sentence

Assistive

Definition: Designed to help people with disabilities perform tasks.

• Assistive technology can greatly improve quality of life.
• The school provides assistive tools for students.
• She uses assistive devices to help with her studies.

Assistive in a sentence

Technology

Definition: The use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes; tools and machines.

• Technology changes quickly in our world.
• She studies technology in school.
• They use technology to solve problems.

Technology in a sentence

Disability

Definition: A physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities.

• She has a disability that affects her mobility.
• Understanding disability helps promote inclusivity.
• He advocates for people with disabilities in his community.

Disability in a sentence

Feature

Definition: A distinctive attribute or aspect of something.

• The new phone has a great camera feature.
• One feature of the park is its beautiful lake.
• Understanding features helps in product comparisons.

Feature in a sentence

Layout

Definition: The way in which something is arranged or organized.

• The layout of the classroom makes it easy to see the board.
• He designed the layout for the new park.
• The website has a clean layout that is easy to navigate.

Layout in a sentence

Visibility

Definition: The ability to see or be seen; how clear things are.

• The fog reduced visibility on the road.
• Good visibility is important for driving safely.
• She wore bright colors for better visibility during the hike.

Visibility in a sentence

Information

Definition: Facts or details about a subject.

• I need more information about the project.
• The teacher provides information on how to study.
• You can find information online for your research.

Information in a sentence

Experience

Definition: Knowledge or skill gained through doing something.

• I gained a lot of experience from my summer job.
• Her experience in cooking helps her make delicious meals.
• Traveling gives you the experience of different cultures.

Experience in a sentence

Usability

Definition: The ease of use and effectiveness of a product or system.

• The app was designed with usability in mind.
• Usability testing helps improve user experience.
• He focuses on usability in his web design projects.

Usability in a sentence

Requirement

Definition: something that must be done or met

• Passing the exam is a requirement for graduation.
• The job has a requirement for a college degree.
• She fulfilled all the requirement for the scholarship.

Requirement in a sentence

Content

Definition: The information or material contained in something; satisfied.

• The content of the book was very interesting.
• She was happy with the content of her presentation.
• Make sure the content is appropriate for all ages.

Content in a sentence

Inclusive

Definition: including all; not excluding any group

• The program is inclusive of all ages.
• They aim to create an inclusive environment.
• Her inclusive attitude made everyone feel welcome.

Inclusive in a sentence

Compliance

Definition: Following rules or standards.

• The company is in compliance with safety regulations.
• They ensured compliance with the new laws.
• She checked for compliance with the guidelines.

Compliance in a sentence

Guidelines

Definition: A set of rules or instructions to follow.

• The teacher provided guidelines for the project.
• He followed the guidelines to complete his assignment.
• The guidelines help ensure safety in the lab.

Guidelines in a sentence

Standards

Definition: Accepted levels of quality or attainment.

• Schools must meet certain standards for education.
• The company has high standards for its products.
• She follows high standards in her work.

Barriers

Definition: Obstacles that prevent movement or progress.

• There are many barriers to education in some areas.
• They worked to remove barriers for low-income families.
• Understanding barriers can help find solutions.

Adaptive

Definition: Capable of adjusting to new conditions.

• The adaptive nature of these animals helps them survive.
• He developed adaptive strategies for learning.
• Her adaptive skills are impressive in challenging situations.

Adaptive in a sentence

Functionality

Definition: The range of functions or capabilities of a device or application.

• The new phone has improved functionality compared to the old model.
• Her app's functionality makes it easy to use.
• Understanding functionality is important for users.

Functionality in a sentence

User-friendly

Definition: Easy to use or understand; designed for the average user.

• The website is user-friendly and straightforward.
• He appreciated the user-friendly instructions.
• Her favorite app is user-friendly and efficient.

User-friendly in a sentence

Perception

Definition: The way we interpret and understand things based on our senses or experiences.

• Her perception of the situation was different from his.
• Perception can be influenced by many factors.
• Understanding perception helps improve communication.

Perception in a sentence

Interaction

Definition: The act of communicating or working together with others.

• Their interaction during the project was productive.
• She enjoys the interaction with her classmates.
• Positive interaction fosters a good learning environment.

Interaction in a sentence

Adaptation

Definition: A change or adjustment made to fit new conditions or environments.

• Adaptation is necessary for survival in nature.
• They studied the adaptation of animals to their habitats.
• Her adaptation to the new school was quick and smooth.

Adaptation in a sentence

Inclusivity

Definition: The practice of including people from different backgrounds and identities.

• The school promotes inclusivity among its students.
• Her work focuses on inclusivity in education.
• They value inclusivity in all their programs.

Ergonomics

Definition: The study of people's efficiency in their working environment.

• Ergonomics helps design comfortable workspaces.
• She learned about ergonomics to improve her desk setup.
• Proper ergonomics can prevent injuries at work.

Ergonomics in a sentence

Impairment

Definition: the state of being weakened or damaged

• Hearing impairment can affect communication.
• They studied cognitive impairment in their research.
• The doctor assessed his impairment after the accident.

Impairment in a sentence

Representation

Definition: The action of speaking or acting on behalf of someone; a portrayal of something.

• The representation of diverse characters is important in media.
• He was chosen for representation at the conference.
• Her artwork is a representation of her culture.

Representation in a sentence

Optimization

Definition: The process of making something as effective or functional as possible.

• They focus on optimization to improve performance.
• Website optimization helps increase traffic.
• He learned about optimization techniques in class.

Optimization in a sentence

Customization

Definition: The process of modifying something to fit individual preferences.

• Customization of the product made it more appealing.
• They offered customization options for the new shoes.
• Customization enhances user experience and satisfaction.

Customization in a sentence

Accommodation

Definition: A place to stay or adjustments made to meet needs.

• They found accommodation near the conference center.
• The accommodation was comfortable and affordable.
• She needed accommodation for her visiting family.

Accommodation in a sentence

Cognition

Definition: The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought.

• Cognition involves processes like memory and reasoning.
• They studied cognition in psychology class.
• Understanding cognition helps in learning strategies.

Cognition in a sentence

Awareness

Definition: Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact; being conscious of something.

• She raised awareness about environmental issues.
• Awareness of mental health is growing.
• He emphasized the need for awareness in the community.

Awareness in a sentence

Evaluation

Definition: The process of assessing or judging something.

• The teacher will conduct an evaluation of the project.
• She received an evaluation on her performance.
• An evaluation helps improve future work.

Evaluation in a sentence

Usability Testing

Definition: Evaluating a product or service by testing it with real users.

• Usability testing helps identify issues before launch.
• They conducted usability testing to improve the website.
• Understanding usability testing is important for product design.

Stakeholder

Definition: A person or group with an interest in a project or decision.

• The company considers all stakeholders in its decisions.
• Parents are important stakeholders in education.
• They invited stakeholders to discuss the new plan.

Stakeholder in a sentence

User-centered

Definition: Designed with the needs and preferences of users in mind.

• A user-centered approach improves overall satisfaction.
• He focused on user-centered design principles in his project.
• User-centered methods lead to better products.

Barrier-free

Definition: Designed to allow access for everyone, including those with disabilities.

• The building is barrier-free, with ramps and elevators.
• They advocated for barrier-free public spaces.
• Her project focused on creating barrier-free environments.

Universal Design

Definition: design that is accessible to all people, regardless of ability

• Universal design ensures everyone can use the space.
• The building was created with universal design principles.
• She advocates for universal design in public places.

Cognitive Load

Definition: the amount of mental effort used in learning

• High cognitive load can make studying difficult.
• She managed her cognitive load by breaking tasks into smaller parts.
• Understanding cognitive load helps improve study habits.

Semantic

Definition: Relating to meaning in language or logic.

• Semantic analysis helps understand the meanings of words.
• He studied semantic differences between similar words.
• Understanding semantic relationships enhances communication.

Semantic in a sentence

Perceptibility

Definition: The quality of being noticeable or detectable.

• The change in temperature had a low perceptibility.
• Her voice was at the edge of perceptibility in the crowd.
• Understanding perceptibility helps in scientific measurements.

Perceptibility in a sentence

Heuristics

Definition: Mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that simplify decision-making processes.

• Heuristics help people make quick and efficient choices.
• She learned about heuristics in her psychology class.
• Understanding heuristics can improve problem-solving skills.

Heuristics in a sentence

Interactivity

Definition: The degree to which users can participate in the content.

• The interactivity of the website keeps users engaged.
• High interactivity is important for learning.
• They measured interactivity to improve user experience.

Assistive Technology

Definition: Technology that aids individuals with disabilities in tasks.

• Assistive technology includes software and devices.
• She learned how assistive technology can support learning.
• He uses assistive technology for better communication.

Screen Reader

Definition: software that reads text on a screen aloud

• A screen reader helps visually impaired users access information.
• She uses a screen reader to navigate her computer.
• The screen reader read the text clearly and quickly.

Alt Text

Definition: Text that describes an image for accessibility purposes.

• Adding alt text makes websites more accessible.
• She included alt text for every image in her project.
• Alt text is important for visually impaired users.

Color Blindness

Definition: A condition where a person cannot distinguish certain colors.

• Color blindness affects how he sees the world.
• She learned about color blindness in science class.
• Many people adapt well to color blindness.

Color Blindness in a sentence

Keyboard Navigation

Definition: Using a keyboard to move around a computer interface.

• Keyboard navigation is helpful for quick access.
• She prefers keyboard navigation over using a mouse.
• Learning keyboard navigation can improve efficiency.

Auditory

Definition: Related to the sense of hearing.

• The auditory skills of young children develop quickly.
• She has an auditory processing disorder.
• Understanding auditory information is important in learning.

Auditory in a sentence

Visual Impairment

Definition: a decrease in the ability to see

• He has a visual impairment that affects his daily life.
• They provide resources for people with visual impairments.
• Understanding visual impairment is important for accessibility.

Visual Impairment in a sentence

Tactile

Definition: Related to the sense of touch; able to be perceived through touch.

• The tactile experience of the fabric was soft and smooth.
• She enjoyed the tactile sensations of the clay.
• Understanding tactile elements can enhance learning.

Sign Language

Definition: A visual language using hand gestures and facial expressions for communication, often used by the deaf community.

• She learned sign language to communicate with her friend.
• Sign language is an important skill for inclusivity.
• There are many different types of sign language around the world.

Sign Language in a sentence

Scalability

Definition: The ability of a system to handle growth or increased demand.

• The software has great scalability for future users.
• Scalability is important for business growth.
• They are looking for solutions to improve scalability.

Scalability in a sentence

Accessibility Audit

Definition: an evaluation of how accessible a service or product is

• The accessibility audit revealed several improvements needed.
• They conducted an accessibility audit of the website.
• The accessibility audit helps in making services user-friendly.

Taxonomy

Definition: The science of classifying living organisms into groups.

• Taxonomy helps scientists organize different species.
• She studied taxonomy to better understand plants and animals.
• The taxonomy of animals is essential for biodiversity research.

Taxonomy in a sentence

Remediation

Definition: The act of correcting or improving a problem.

• The remediation of the contaminated site will take time.
• They focused on remediation to restore the environment.
• Remediation efforts are crucial after a disaster.

Remediation in a sentence

Engagement

Definition: An agreement to get married; involvement in an activity.

• Their engagement was announced last week.
• She has a strong engagement in her studies.
• The engagement party was a lot of fun.

Engagement in a sentence

Interaction Design

Definition: The creation of engaging interfaces for users to interact with technology.

• Interaction design focuses on user experience and usability.
• She studied interaction design for her tech project.
• Understanding interaction design is important for software development.

Responsive Design

Definition: An approach to web design that makes pages look good on all devices.

• Responsive design ensures a website works on phones and tablets.
• She focused on responsive design for her project.
• Learning responsive design is essential for modern web development.

Empathy

Definition: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

• She showed empathy toward her friend's situation.
• Empathy is important for building strong relationships.
• He learned about empathy in his social studies class.

Empathy in a sentence

Advocacy

Definition: The act of supporting a cause or proposal.

• She is known for her advocacy for children's rights.
• Advocacy can lead to important changes in society.
• His advocacy work focused on environmental issues.

Advocacy in a sentence

Legislation

Definition: Laws or regulations made by a government.

• New legislation was passed to protect the environment.
• The legislation affects many businesses.
• They discussed important legislation at the meeting.

Legislation in a sentence

Equity

Definition: Fairness or justice in the way people are treated; ownership in a property.

• They believe in equity for all students.
• The company focuses on promoting equity in the workplace.
• She discussed equity in education during the meeting.

Equity in a sentence

Diversity

Definition: the variety of different types or qualities

• Diversity is important in our community.
• The school celebrates cultural diversity.
• They promote diversity in the workplace.

Diversity in a sentence

Neurodiversity

Definition: The concept that neurological differences are natural variations in the human population.

• Neurodiversity promotes acceptance of autistic individuals.
• They celebrated neurodiversity during awareness week.
• Understanding neurodiversity enriches our communities.

Affordance

Definition: The possibility of an action based on an object's properties.

• The affordance of the handle allows for easy opening.
• Understanding affordance is key in design.
• The affordance of the chair suggests it is comfortable.

Context

Definition: the circumstances or background surrounding an event or idea

• Understanding context helps clarify meaning.
• She considered the context of the story in her analysis.
• He provided context for his argument during the debate.

Context in a sentence

Segmentation

Definition: The process of dividing something into parts or sections.

• Market segmentation helps businesses target their audience.
• They used segmentation to analyze customer preferences.
• Segmentation is important in data analysis.

Segmentation in a sentence

Accessibility Statement

Definition: A document explaining how accessible a service or product is.

• The company published its accessibility statement online.
• An accessibility statement helps users understand their rights.
• We reviewed the accessibility statement before using the website.