AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
ACCESS SOFTWARE: Software that supports input to the computer by devices other than the standard keyboard or supports output from the computer in formats other than those normally provided by the standard monitor.
ADAPTED KEYBOARD/SWITCH ACCESS: Software created or modified to allow adapted access via touch boards, touch screens, switches with scanning, single hand or finger keyboard use.
ADAPTED PLAY: Toy that can be made accessible through simple adaptations such as switches.
ALTERNATIVE KEYBOARD: A hardware device that replaces or works in addition to the standard keyboard and is positioned to meet the specific needs of the user.
ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A standardized system that assigns letters, numbers, and various other characters each a unique electronic code. Allows information to be transferred from one computer to another.
AT: Assistive Technology.
ATA: Alliance for Technology Access.
AUTHORABLE CONTENT: Software that allows the user to add to or change its content.
AUTHORING LANGUAGE: Software that provides a method or style of delivery but provides no content. The content is supplied by the user.
BASIC LIVING SKILLS: Software that enhances an individuals ability to survive in society, from sight words to job readiness.
BRAILLE: Software that translates from English to Braille, Braille to English, or functions as a Braille training program.
BRAILLE INPUT: A hardware device that allows input to the computer via a Braille style keyboard or specific keys on a standard keyboard that function in Braille patterns.
BRAILLE OUTPUT: A hardware device that produces hard copy Braille or paperless, refreshable Braille as output from the computer.
CAI (COMPUTER ASSISTED INSTRUCTION): Using the computer as a teaching aid.
CAUSE/EFFECT SOFTWARE: Software in which one specific action produces an effect such as a specific sound or graphical output. Can be used with any kind of input device.
CCSD: Computer-Controlled Speech Device.
CCTV: Closed Circuit Television.
CD-ROM (COMPACT DISC READ ONLY MEMORY): A device that reads information from a high-capacity, read-only disk by using laser technology.
CLOZE: Sentence reconstruction technique in which words are omitted from a sentence. To close the sentence correctly, the student must comprehend the story.
COGNITIVE REDEVELOPMENT: Software that provides retraining in skills lost through trauma.
COMMUNICATION: Software that provides expressive communication capability, either oral, written, or manual.
COMMUNICATION BOARD: Allows expressive communication by touching or gazing at a printed word, symbol, or picture.
CPU (CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT): Usually refers to the component of a personal computer that contains the mother board, memory chips, disk drive, ports etc.
DEDICATED COMMUNICATOR: A hardware device that provides speech output for non-verbal users. It is often portable and allows input from a variety of methods.
DIAGNOSTIC: Software that allows a practitioner to evaluate student or client capability.
DOS: Disk Operating System.
E-MAIL (ELECTRONIC MAIL): Allows users to send messages via telecommunications.
EARLY CHILDHOOD: Software that develops primal cognitive or motor skills.
ECU (ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL UNIT): A hardware device that allows programmed or spontaneous control over remote, electricity- operated appliances.
EXPANSION SLOT: Open sockets in a computers CPU for adding additional cards to the computer.
EYE-HAND COORDINATION: Software that develops appropriate motor response to visual stimulation.
FIREWIRE (IEEE 1394, ILINK): A very fast external bus standard that supports data transfer rates of up to 400 MBps. A single 1394 port can be used to connect up 63 external devices.
FIRMWARE: Program stored in a computers permanent memory or ROM, as in a card.
GUI (GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE): Computer operating systems which use pull-down menus, icons, and windows to represent computer commands and files. Users can interact with the computer via a mouse. Macintosh and Windows are GUI operating systems.
HARD DISK DRIVE: A device used to store data similar to floppy disks; however, hard disk drives use rigid metal disks which are encased permanently inside the drive.
HEADSTICK: Device that allows users (who are unable to use their hands) to perform computer functions by means of a headset and control unit that measure the rotation of the users head and translate it into cursor/pointer movements on the screen.
I/O (INPUT/OUTPUT): The transfer of information between a computer and peripheral devices.
IEEP: Individualized Education for Employment Plan.
IEP/IPP: Individualized Education Plan.Individualized Program Plan. Software of this type plans and tracks delivery of service to students or clients.
INPUT DEVICE: Any device that enters information into the computer by an operator or another device. Related terms: OUTPUT DEVICE
INSTRUCTIONAL MANAGEMENT: Software that tracks or analyzes student progress.
INTERFACE: Device or program that allows separate parts of a computer system to work together. Also the physical place where they connect.
INTERNET: A global network of computers. Related terms: WORLD WIDE WEB
JOYSTICK: An input device that consists of a rod or lever which a person pushes in the direction of intended movement, as in controlling a cursor/pointer or wheelchair.
KEYBOARD EMULATOR: A hardware device that connects to the computer and allows input from a source other than the standard keyboard. Runs regular software.
KEYGUARD: A hardware device that covers a standard or alternative keyboard and provides direction for a finger or prod. It allows the user to slide his/her hands around the surface without accidentally activating keys.
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT: Software that develops or enhances written or oral language skills.
LARGE PRINT: 1. Software that provides large print on either the computer screen or on paper. 2. A hardware device that enlarges and/or brightens the type that is displayed on the computer monitor.
LD: Learning Disabled.
LEARNING AIDS: Flashcards, games, communication board overlays, symbols, or transparency.
MANIPULATIVE: Learning aid that students can touch, feel, or hold.
MENU: Program options or choices displayed for user selection.
MHZ (MEGAHERTZ): For computers, a measure of the clock cycles of the central processing unit.
MODEM: A hardware device that allows a computer to connect to and communicate with other computers via telephone lines.
MOUSE: A computer input device that is rolled over a flat surface in order to position a pointer on the computer screen.
MOUSE EMULATOR: A hardware device that imitates and takes the place of a mouse.
MULTIMEDIA: The incorporation of text, graphics, sound, and other medias into a computer document or presentation.
MULTISENSORY: Computer software that teaches by sight, sound, and touch.
NETWORK: A group of computers linked physically by a network of communications cables.
OCR (OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION): 1. A hardware device that reads scanned text into a computer and translates it into ASCII text format. 2. Software that reads scanned text and translates it into a text format.
OS: Operating System.
OUTPUT DEVICE: A device that receives information produced by the computer and makes it available to the operator in an understandable form. Related terms: INPUT DEVICE
OVERLAY: A group of symbols, pictures, words, or characters. Usually placed over a keyboard of a communication device.
PERIPHERAL: Computer hardware used in conjunction with a computer and under the computers control.
PRINTER: A hardware device that produces "hard copy" (printed text or graphics).
PROFESSIONAL/MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE: Software used by rehabilitation, special education, and administration professionals in the delivery of services to clients/students. Software used or administered by the professional.
PUBLIC DOMAIN: Uncopyrighted software free to be distributed and used by anyone.
PULL-DOWN MENU: A list of computer options available to the user in the form of a temporary menu that appears on the screen. A common feature of the Graphical User Interface.
QWERTY KEYBOARD: Traditional layout of a keyboard, where the keys for Q, W, E, R, T, and Y appear in one of the rows in this order.
RAM (RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY): The memory needed while a program is running.
REAL-TIME: The processing of data as soon as it is received, as opposed to batch processing.
ROM (READ ONLY MEMORY): Memory stored in a permanent piece of hardware on a computer.
RS232 PORT: Common interface standard for the serial port of a computer or microprocessor-based communication device.
SCANNING: Software that automatically steps through allowable responses that users select by single switch or multi switch activation.
SCREEN READER: A text-to-speech software program that speaks the text content of a computer display.
SCROLLING: A means of moving through information which is displayed on a computer screen or in a window on the screen.
SCSI (SMALL COMPUTER SYSTEM INTERFACE): An industry standard interface that provides high-speed access to peripheral devices.
SEATING/POSITIONING/MOBILITY: Items which assist a disabled individual with obtaining the correct position (e.g. adjustable tables, chairs, powered mobility toy, etc.).
SENSORY STIMULATION: Arousing the brain through smell, touch, sight, and/or sound.
SERIAL PORT: Port, usually on the back of a computer, used for transmitting data over a single pathway one bit at a time, as opposed to parallel.
SETUPS: Ready-made programs for a computer.
SHAREWARE: Software marketed in a "try-first, pay-later" fashion.
SPEECH OUTPUT: 1. A hardware device that allows the computer to produce sounds similar to human speech through the use of a synthesizer or digitizer. 2. Software that supports the generation of speech through speech output devices.
SPEECH RECOGNITION: The ability of a computer to understand spoken commands.
SPEECH SYNTHESIZER: A hardware device that allows the computer to produce sounds similar to human speech.
SPEECH TRAINER: A hardware device that analyzes pitch, rhythm, and amplitude of spoken words and provides a graphic display of that unique sound on the computer screen.
STACK: Computer files created with authoring programs such as HyperCard or HyperStudio. A stack is a method used to group information based on the index card metaphor. Stacks can contain any combination of text, graphics, or objects with programming scripts.
SWITCH: A hardware device that allows a user with little motor control to operate a computer or other electrical device.
SWITCH INTERFACE: Hardware that allows the convenient connection of a switch to a computer.
TACTILE DISPLAY: Translating the information on the computer screen into tactile form so that a user can feel the shape of each letter, line, or graphic.
TDD (TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE FOR THE DEAF): A device that allows a user to transmit typed-in messages over phone lines.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Software that controls the exchanging of information with other computers over phone lines.
TEXT-TO-SPEECH: Speech output equipment that will pronounce (or spell) whatever text is input.
TOUCH PAD/TOUCH TABLET: A pressure-sensitive input device used to control a computer whereby users make choices by pressing selected portions of the pad.
TOUCH SCREEN/TOUCH WINDOW: A transparent, pressure- sensitive pad for computer input, which usually mounts in front of monitor.
TRACKBALL: An input device similar to a mouse. The user rotates a ball to move a pointer on the computer screen.
URL (UNIFORM RESOURCE LOCATOR): The Internet address for documents located on the Internet.
USB (UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS): A hardware interface for peripherals such as the keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner, printer and telephony devices.
VOCATIONAL: Software that is administered by a professional to assess or inform client suitability for various vocations and may train for a specific job skill.
VOICE RECOGNITION: 1. A hardware device that sends signals or information to the computer when the user speaks into an attached microphone. 2. Software that allows the computer to understand verbal commands.
WINDOW: A portion of a computer screen where information can appear independently from the main display.
WORD PREDICTION SOFTWARE: Software that predicts upcoming words based on the first letter typed or input through another device. Prediction is based upon word commonality, or frequency of use in a users vocabulary.
WORLD WIDE WEB: A vast network of documents that combine text, images, sound, and video using hyperlinks that are accessed through a browser. Related terms: INTERNET
WWW: See World Wide Web Related terms: WORLD WIDE WEB, INTERNET