Assistive Technology Glossary

A short way of writing "accessibility": the first letter, the 11 letters in between, and the final letter. Commonly used shorthand in web development and technology discussions.

A government grant scheme in England, Scotland and Wales that helps pay for practical support at work for people with a disability or health condition — often including assistive software, equipment and training. You can ask to use a preferred training provider, subject to Access to Work approval of the support and costs (Northern Ireland has a separate Access to Work (NI) scheme).

Tools that can support focus, planning and working memory, including visual planners, task capture apps, and meeting transcription so you can return to the discussion afterwards instead of trying to write everything down while listening.

Descriptive text that conveys the content and function of images on a webpage, read aloud by screen readers and displayed when images fail to load.

A set of attributes that define ways to make web content and applications more accessible to people with disabilities, especially dynamic content and advanced user interface controls.

Any device, software, or equipment that helps disabled people perform tasks in work, study or daily life.

Narration added to video content that describes important visual information for blind or visually impaired viewers.

A device with small pins that rise and fall to form braille characters, usually connected to a screen reader.

Software that converts print documents into formatted braille ready for embossing, and back again, such as the Duxbury Braille Translator (DBT).

Text versions of the audio content in videos, displayed on screen and synchronised with the audio, including dialogue and sound effects.

A coloured layer over printed text or a screen. Some readers prefer a tinted background; try the colour and contrast settings that are comfortable for you.

A measure of how strongly text or another foreground element stands out from its background. WCAG 2.2 Level AA requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.

Speech recognition software that allows users to control their computer and dictate text using their voice.

UK government funding for eligible higher-education students with a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia. It can help pay for non-medical help, specialist equipment, assistive software and training, with specific rules depending on whether you study in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Tools that can help with reading, writing and organising ideas, such as text-to-speech, dictation, spelling support, mind mapping and recorded notes. The best combination depends on the person and the task.

Legislation in England, Scotland and Wales that protects people from discrimination, including disability discrimination, and places a duty on employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments. (In Northern Ireland, disability discrimination law is set out under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.)

EU legislation (Directive (EU) 2019/882), applicable from 28 June 2025, setting accessibility requirements for specified consumer products and services placed on the EU market — such as e-commerce, consumer banking, e-books and passenger transport services — with defined transitional arrangements and an exemption for microenterprises providing services. Businesses outside the EU (including UK businesses) are in scope where they supply covered products or services to consumers in the EU.

A visual indication (usually an outline or highlight) that shows which element currently has keyboard focus.

A typeface designed so similar characters are easier to tell apart, such as I, l and 1, or O and 0. A widely used example is Atkinson Hyperlegible, designed by the Braille Institute, which this website uses.

A popular screen reader software for Windows that provides speech and braille output for common computer applications.

The ability to navigate and interact with digital content using only keyboard keys (typically Tab, Enter, Arrow keys) without requiring a mouse.

Software that turns ideas into a visual map of branches before exporting them into a structured document. Examples include MindView and MindManager.

Microsoft's built-in screen reader for Windows that reads text on the screen aloud and describes events, such as notifications and calendar appointments.

The natural variation in how human brains work, including dyslexia, ADHD, autism, dyspraxia and dyscalculia. In the workplace, neurodiversity support often combines assistive technology, training and adjusted working practices.

A free, open-source screen reader for Windows that enables blind and vision impaired people to use computers.

Technology that converts images of text (such as scanned documents or photos) into machine-readable text that can be read by screen readers.

UK regulations requiring covered public sector websites and mobile apps to meet accessibility standards (currently EN 301 549 / WCAG 2.2 AA) and publish an accessibility statement.

Changes an employer or service provider must make so a disabled person is not put at a substantial disadvantage — such as adjustments to working arrangements, providing auxiliary aids or software, and training. This duty applies under the Equality Act 2010 in England, Scotland and Wales, and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in Northern Ireland.

A braille display that dynamically updates the braille characters as the user navigates through content, as opposed to static embossed braille.

Software or hardware that enlarges content on a computer screen to make it easier for low vision users to see.

Software that converts digital text into synthesised speech or braille output, allowing blind or visually impaired users to access computer content and applications.

HTML markup that uses elements according to their intended meaning, making content structure clear to both browsers and assistive technologies.

A navigation link, typically at the top of a page, that allows keyboard users to bypass repetitive navigation and jump directly to main content.

Technology that enables a computer to identify and process spoken words, allowing users to control devices and input text using their voice.

Technology that converts written text into spoken words using synthesised voice output.

Apple's built-in screen reader available on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS devices.

International standards developed by the W3C that explain how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities.

Software that suggests the next word or completes the current one as you type, reducing keystrokes and helping with spelling.

Screen magnification and reading software for Windows that enlarges and enhances content on the screen.