Inclusive Technology Solutions for Disability Housing
Expert-defined terms from the Advanced Certificate in Universal Design for Disability Housing course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
**Adaptive Technology #
** Adaptive technology, also known as assistive technology, refers to devices or software that are used to help individuals with disabilities perform tasks that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. This can include things like screen readers, speech recognition software, and alternative input devices.
**Accessibility #
** Accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments that are usable by people with disabilities. This includes things like wheelchair ramps, audio descriptions for visually impaired individuals, and closed captions for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals.
**American Disabilities Act (ADA) #
** The ADA is a civil rights law in the United States that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.
**Assistive Technology #
** See Adaptive Technology.
**Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) #
** AAC refers to methods of communication used by individuals who have difficulty speaking or writing. This can include things like sign language, picture boards, and speech-generating devices.
**Closed Captioning #
** Closed captioning is the process of displaying text on a television or computer screen that describes the audio portion of a program. This is typically used by deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals to help them understand the content of the program.
**Disability Housing #
** Disability housing refers to housing that is specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. This can include things like wheelchair ramps, roll-in showers, and grab bars.
**Environmental Control Unit (ECU) #
** An ECU is a device that allows individuals with disabilities to control various aspects of their environment, such as lights, temperature, and appliances. This can be particularly useful for individuals with limited mobility.
**Ergoonomics #
** Ergonomics is the study of how people interact with their environment, with the goal of designing products, devices, and systems that are safe, efficient, and comfortable to use.
**Glassdoor #
** Glassdoor is a website that allows current and former employees to anonymously review companies and their management. It can be a useful resource for individuals with disabilities who are looking for information about the accessibility of a particular company or organization.
**Inclusive Design #
** Inclusive design is the practice of designing products, devices, and environments that are accessible and usable by as many people as possible, regardless of their age, ability, or other personal characteristics.
**Job Accommodation #
** A job accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a job or work environment that allows an individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.
**Section 508 #
** Section 508 is a federal law in the United States that requires all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by federal agencies to be accessible to people with disabilities.
**Speech Recognition Software #
** Speech recognition software is a type of adaptive technology that allows individuals to control a computer or other device using their voice. This can be particularly useful for individuals with limited mobility.
**Universal Design #
** Universal design is the practice of designing products, devices, and environments that are accessible and usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.
**Usability #
** Usability refers to the ease of use of a product, device, or system. A product that is usable is one that is easy to learn, efficient to use, and satisfying to the user.
**Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) #
** The WCAG are a set of guidelines for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. The guidelines cover things like providing text alternatives for non-text content, making all functionality available from a keyboard, and ensuring that content can be separated from its presentation.
**Wheelchair Lift #
** A wheelchair lift is a device that is used to help individuals in wheelchairs access buildings and other spaces that have stairs or other barriers. The lift can be either portable or permanently installed.