| A-Prompt |
A-Prompt, or "Accessibility Prompt," is a software tool that evaluates Web pages for accessibility problems and suggests revisions. The software can be downloaded for free from the  A-Prompt Web site. |
| Accessibility evaluator |
An accessibility evaluator tests your Web site for compliance with accessibility standards. There are several accessibility evaluators available online for free or for purchase. Free accessibility evaluators include The Wave and A-Prompt. For-purchase accessibility evaluators include Bobby and Ramp. |
| Adobe PDF |
Adobe PDF, or "Portable Document Format," is commonly used on the Web to format downloadable documents. Adobe PDFs allow you to retain complex document formatting and pagination not possible in HTML. Adobe Acrobat software is required to create PDFs. Acrobat Reader software is required to open and read PDFs. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded for free from the Adobe Acrobat Web site. |
| Alternative text, text equivalent, or "alt text" |
Alternative text, or "alt text," is a replacement for an image that serves the same purpose as the image itself. It is read by a screen reader in place of the image. Alt text is not a description of the image, but a functional equivalent. More information about alt text can be found in the How To: Images section of this Web site. |
| Assistive technology |
Assistive technology is hardware or software that helps a person use the computer. Assistive technologies include screen reader software (provides an aural translation of the information on the screen), voice recognition software (allows people to navigate with voice rather than a keyboard or mouse), and many input devices such as large keyboards and mouse pedals. |
| Audio description |
An audio description is a verbal statement of on-screen visuals, usually inserted between dialogue. For example, the dialogue might consist of a character stating, "I'm king of the world!" and the audio description—spoken by a different, neutral voice—would say, "He stands on the bow of the ship, arms outstretched." |
| Braille display |
Braille displays create a tactile translation of information on a computer screen. Some Braille displays have a reusable, refreshable surface, composed of rounded pins that rearrange to translate information as it is selected on screen. |
| Captions |
Captions are a text version of video narrative and are synchronized with the images on screen. |
| Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) |
Cascading Style Sheets, or CSS, are a series of instructions that specify how text should appear on a Web page. You can use CSS to set styles for text, borders, and other elements, and apply these styles to your entire Web site. |
| Cerebral palsy |
Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects muscle control. |
| Course management system |
A course management system is a tool that allows instructors, universities, and corporations to develop and support online education. UMUC WebTycho, Blackboard, and WebCT are all course management systems. |
| Dragon Dictate or Dragon NaturallySpeaking |
Dragon NaturallySpeaking is voice recognition software. It is an assistive technology that allows a person to control the computer by voice, rather than by a keyboard or mouse. |
| Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy |
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a gene-related disorder that affects muscle control. |
| Flash |
Macromedia Flash is a graphics and animation program. Flash poses accessibility challenges for screen reader users and people who use the keyboard to navigate. |
| Font |
"Font" is used to describe the typeface, size, style, and spacing of text. |
| Font face |
The typeface of text. Common font faces include Arial, Times New Roman, and Courier New. |
| Frames |
Frames divide the browser into separate panes that contain different HTML pages. Clicking a link in one frame can change any other frame or open a new window. |
| HTML |
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. It is a computer language used to create materials (e.g. text, graphics, sound, video, links) for display on the World Wide Web. Many programs, including Netscape Composer, Microsoft FrontPage, and Macromedia Dreamweaver, allow you to create Web pages even if you don't know HTML. |
| HTML attribute |
An HTML attribute is used in tandem with an HTML tag. The attribute further defines the properties of the HTML tag. For example, the <table> tag has several attributes including align, border, height, width, cellpadding, and cellspacing. Attributes appear within the table tag and must be set to a value (for example, <table width="98%">). |
| HTML tag |
HTML includes a series of text "tags" that describe how a Web page is formatted. Each tag appears inside brackets (<>). For example, the <strong> tag is used to create bold text.
HTML written like this: This is how to create <strong>bold</strong> text.
Appears like this on your web page: This is how to create bold text. |
| HTML validator |
An HTML validator is an online tool that checks your Web page or site to make sure all of the HTML code meets standard specifications. HTML that is "valid" displays correctly in most browsers. |
Hyperlink;
hypertext link |
Hyperlinks are text, images, or files that you click to open another Web page. Most hyperlinks appear as underlined and/or colored text on a Web page. |
| JavaScript |
JavaScript is a programming language used to create interactive Web pages. For example, images that change or highlight when you "roll over" them with a mouse are commonly programmed with JavaScript. |
| JAWS |
JAWS for Windows is a popular screen reader software program. It uses a synthetic voice to read a computer screen out loud. |
| Learning styles |
Learning styles are the preferred ways by which people learn. Common learning styles include visual, auditory, and tactile (hands-on). |
| Legacy browser |
A legacy browser is an older version of a Web browser—for example, Netscape 3 and Internet Explorer 3 are both considered legacy browsers. |
| Long descriptions |
A long description is an alternate, accessible description of information contained in a complex illustration. For example, a graph, chart, or map may be summarized in a text-based, accessible data table. More information about long descriptions can be found in the How To: Images section of this Web site. |
| Lynx |
Lynx is a text-only Web browser. It does not display graphics. To contrast, Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator are graphical Web browsers (they show both graphics and text). |
| Media player |
Students view online audio and video through a "media player." The three most popular media players are QuickTime, RealOne, and Windows Media Player. Media players usually include control buttons (play, pause, volume, etc.). They may also display captions or other text (if available). Different media players provide varied levels of accessibility. |
| MP3 |
MP3 is an audio file format, based on MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group) technology. It creates very small files suitable for streaming or downloading over the Internet. |
| MPEG |
MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group) is a digital video file format. |
| Multi-sensory approach |
A multi-sensory approach helps to address the needs of students with different learning styles. Content is presented in various ways—aural, visual, and experiential—to meet the needs of different students. |
| Pointer wand |
A pointer wand is an assistive technology worn on the head and is used in place of a mouse. Web users who do not have use of their hands or arms may use a pointer wand to navigate a Web site. |
| Point size |
Point size refers to the size of text, specified by a number such as 10 point or 22 point. Point sizes are said to be "absolute." This may pose problems for users who need to enlarge the text size to make it easier to read. As a result, relative units are recommended instead of point sizes. |
| Relative units |
Relative units are comparative sizes, specified by a descriptor such as smaller, larger, or a percentage. They are adaptable to different browser settings. |
| Repetitive Stress Syndrome |
Repetitive Stress Syndrome is an injury to the musculoskeletal system. Carpal tunnel syndrome is common form of repetitive stress syndrome. |
| Screen enlarger |
A screen enlarger, or screen magnifier, increases the size of text and graphics to make them more legible. |
| Screen reader |
A screen reader is a software program that uses a synthetic voice to read a computer screen out loud. Computer users who are visually impaired or blind often use screen readers to navigate the Web. Two popular screen reader programs are JAWS for Windows and Window-Eyes. |
| Script |
A script is a piece of programming code that makes something happen on screen. |
| Section 508 |
Section 508 (the 1998 Amendment to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act) requires the federal government to make all goods and services—including Web pages—fully accessible. It identifies specific standards for Internet and Web accessibility, which are often used as a basis for evaluating whether or not Web sites meet accessibility requirements. |
| Swing classes |
The Java Foundation Classes by Sun—also known as "Swing"—provide Java programmers with an accessible framework for building applications. This means that Java programmers are taught to encode into Java applets all the information necessary for operation with screen readers and other assistive technologies. |
| Switch |
Switches are used by people with mobility impairments who cannot use a standard keyboard. Users operate the switch by tapping or squeezing it. A switch has two modes: on and off. A pattern of on/off clicks allows people to work with a computer. Although a switch supports basic keyboard commands, it does not allow users to control a mouse.
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| Synchronized Accessible Media Interchange (SAMI) |
Synchronized Accessible Media Interchange (SAMI) is a markup language developed by Microsoft. It can be used to synchronize captions and audio descriptions with online video. SAMI is supported only by Windows Media Player and other Microsoft products. |
| Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL) |
Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL) is a markup language developed by the Word Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It can be used to synchrronize captions and audio descriptions with online video. SMIL is supported by the greatest number of media players, including RealOne and recent versions of QuickTime. Windows Media Player does not support SMIL. |
| Transcript |
A transcript is a written account of spoken text, much like the text of a play, or a written interview. Television shows and legal courts often make transcripts available to the public. |
| Uhthoff's Syndrome |
Uhthoff's syndrome is a temporary blurriness or loss of vision caused by an increase in temperature. It is often associated with Multiple Sclerosis. |
| Virtual cursor |
The Virtual Cursor is a method of navigating without a mouse. A series of keyboard commands are used to mimic mouse movement across the screen. |
| Voice recognition software |
Voice recognition software translates voice commands and is used in place of a mouse and keyboard. Web users who do not have use of their hands or arms may use voice recognition software to navigate a Web site. Dragon NaturallySpeaking is a popular voice-recognition software program. |
| W3C standards |
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is a recognized Web standards group. It develops and publishes specifications, software, guidelines, and tools for the Web, including HTML and accessibility standards. |
| WAV |
WAV is an audio file format. WAV files can be played in any Windows sound application (Windows 95 and later). |
