Accessibility

   In Web pages, it refers to the ability of a Web page to be viewed by everyone, especially people with disabilities who use various assistive technologies. Accessible Web pages take into account the special needs of visitors with auditory, visual, mobility, and cognitive impairments and give those users an equivalent browsing experience to that of non-disabled visitors.

Accommodation

   Academic accommodations vary depending upon the documented needs of the individual student and are based on the demonstration that an accommodation is reasonable and necessary to improve the direct impact of a substantial limitation on a major life function.

Aggregator

   A client software that uses web feed to retrieve syndicated web content such as blogs, podcasts, vlogs, and mainstream mass media websites. The aggregator provides a consolidated view of the content in a single browser display or desktop application. Such applications are also referred to as RSS readers, feed readers, feed aggregators, news readers or search aggregators.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

   Enacted July 26, 1990, the ADA prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. It also mandates the establishment of TDD/telephone relay services. The Department of Justice enforces the ADA’s requirements in three areas: Title I Employment practices by units of state and local government; Title II Programs, services, and activities of state and local government; Title III Public accommodations and commercial facilities.

Alternate Format

   Translation of information into a variety of accessible formats including Braille, large print, ASCII text, audio cassette, captioning, electronic text and more.

Alternative Keyboard Layout

   Allows people who experience difficulty with conventional keyboard designs to use computers. The products available range from key guards that prevent two keys from being pressed simultaneously, to alternative keyboards with differing layouts, sizes, etc. for people who have specific needs, to alternative input systems which require other means/methods of getting information into a computer.

Alternative Mouse System

   Alternative pointing devices are used to replace the mouse. Includes trackballs and other pointing devices or pointer control method.

Alternative Text (ALT Text)

   Alternative text should be provided for all images. Alternative text is a replacement for the image and should succinctly communicate the content and/or function of the image. Avoid lengthy descriptions and do not repeat the same information that is already present on the page. For images that are used for spacing or purely visual formatting purposes, for instance spacer images, decorative borders, etc., specify a null value (alt="").

Amplitude Modulation (AM)

   The baseband signal is caused to vary the amplitude or height of the carrier wave to create the desired information content.

Analog

   A form of transmitting information characterized by continuously variable quantities, as opposed to digital transmission, which is characterized by discrete bits of information in numerical steps. An analog signal is responsive to changes in light, sound, heat and pressure.

Antenna

   A device for transmitting and receiving radio waves. Depending on their use and operating frequency, antennas can take the form of a single piece of wire, a di-pole a grid such as a yagi array, a horn, a helix, a sophisticated parabolic-shaped dish, or a phase array of active electronic elements of virtually any flat or convoluted surface.

Application Service Provider (ASP)

   A business that provides computer-based services to customers over a network. An example would be a course management system vendor that hosts its software application for a college.

Assistive Technology

   As defined by the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, the term refers to “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” Assistive technologies include: screen readers and magnifiers, closed captioning, alternative keyboards, and other special software and equipment that makes information devices more accessible. Also referred to as "Adaptive Technology."

Asynchronous

   Communication in which interaction between parties does not take place simultaneously.

Asynchronous Transmission Mode (ATM)

   A method of sending data in irregular time intervals using a code such as ASCII. ATM allows most modern computers to communicate with one another easily.

Avatar

   A graphical representation of a user in online communities, such as bulletin boards, 3D chatrooms, virtual worlds, games, etc.

Audio Bridge

   A device used in audio conferencing that connects multiple telephone lines. Audio conferencing voice only connection of more than two sites using standard telephone lines.

Auditory Impairments

   Conditions where people are completely deaf or hard of hearing. They require visual representations (captions or transcripts) of information contained in audio files.