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Welcome to the Barrier-Free Glossary

If you’re new to digital accessibility, you’ve probably come across terms that sound confusing or overly technical. This glossary was created to explain the most common accessibility terms in clear, everyday language—so you can feel confident understanding what they mean and why they matter.
Whether you're working on your own site, collaborating with a developer, or just starting your accessibility journey, this page is here to help.

A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V   W   X   Y   Z

A

Accessibility (a11y)
The practice of making websites, tools, and content usable by people with disabilities.
Accessibility Audit
A structured review of a website, application, or digital product to identify accessibility issues and opportunities for improvement.
Accessibility Debt
The backlog of unresolved barriers that builds up when accessibility is skipped, deferred, or patched over time. Like any unpaid debt, it doesn't disappear, it compounds. The longer it goes unaddressed, the more disruptive and costly it becomes to fix.
Accessibility Evaluation
The process of assessing how well a digital experience meets accessibility requirements, standards, and user needs.
Accessibility Maturity Model
A framework used to measure an organization's progress toward creating more accessible products, services, and experiences over time.
Accessibility Score
A numerical rating used to represent the accessibility of a digital experience based on defined testing criteria or evaluation methods.
AI Model
A type of software trained on large amounts of data to recognize patterns and generate responses, predictions, or content based on what it has learned. AI models power tools like chatbots, writing assistants, image generators, and content analyzers.
Alt Text
A short description added to images that screen readers can read aloud. It helps people who can’t see the image understand what it shows or why it’s there.
Assistive Technology (AT)
Any device or software used by people with disabilities to interact with computers. This includes screen readers, voice recognition software, screen magnifiers, and more.
ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications)
Code that helps screen readers understand and interact with complex website features like menus, sliders, or popups.

B

Barrier-Free Assessment
A review of a website, application, document, or digital experience to identify barriers that may prevent people from fully accessing or using it.
Barrier-Free Design
A design approach that removes obstacles so everyone can access and use your website. It focuses on inclusion from the start, not as an afterthought.
Barrier-Free Design Model™ (BFDM)
BFDM™
A framework that helps individuals and organizations understand their current accessibility maturity and identify practical next steps toward creating more barrier-free digital experiences.
Barrier-Free Assessment Index™ (BFAI)
An evaluation methodology that measures accessibility using a combination of automated testing, manual review, and real-world usability considerations.

C

Color Contrast
The difference in brightness between text and its background. High contrast makes content easier to read for people with low vision or color blindness.

D

Digital Barrier
Any feature, design choice, or piece of content that makes it difficult or impossible for someone to access, understand, or use a digital experience.

F

Focus Indicator
The outline or highlight that shows which element is selected when tabbing through a site with a keyboard.

K

Keyboard Navigation
Using the keyboard (instead of a mouse) to move around a website. Essential for people with motor disabilities or those using screen readers.

O

Overlay
A third-party tool that tries to “fix” accessibility issues automatically. Many overlays actually create problems and interfere with assistive tech.

P

Plain Language
Writing that’s easy to read, understand, and act on. Plain language helps everyone, including people with cognitive disabilities.

S

Screen Reader
A tool that reads website text out loud for people who are blind or have low vision. It reads everything from headings to links to image alt text.
Semantic HTML
Using proper HTML tags (like for headings or for buttons) so that assistive tech knows how to interpret your content.
Skip Link
A hidden link that lets users jump straight to the main content, skipping menus or headers. Great for screen reader and keyboard users.

T

Testing (Automated Accessibility)
Uses software tools to scan digital content for common accessibility issues, such as missing alternative text, low color contrast, or coding errors.
Testing (Manual Accessibility)
Involves evaluating a website, application, or digital content by hand to identify accessibility barriers that automated tools may miss.
Testing (User-Centered)
Evaluates a digital experience from the perspective of real users, focusing on usability, accessibility, and overall ease of use.
Testing (Assistive Technology)
Involves evaluating digital content using tools such as screen readers, screen magnifiers, voice control software, or alternative input devices.

U

Usability
How easy and pleasant a website is to use. Good usability benefits everyone, especially people with cognitive or physical challenges.

W

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)
A set of international standards that explain how to make websites accessible. Most laws and best practices are based on WCAG.
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