| Sr.No |
Word |
Meaning |
| 1 |
ABLE-BODIED |
sometimes used incorrectly as an antonym "disabled" in phrases such as "Disabled people, unlike able-bodied people..." The preferred antonym for "disabled" is "non-disabled" |
| 2 |
ABNORMALITY |
although this term is used by the medical profession to describe "a malformation, deformity or anomaly", it is best avoided in any general discussion of disability since to use "abnormality" is stigmatising; people with disabilities do not consider themselves "consider" themselves "abnormal" or to have "abnormalities". |
| 3 |
ACCEPTANCE |
noun process by which non-disabled people include people with disabilities in their activities, conversation, etc. (See also inclusion, participation and equalisation; compare non-acceptance.) |
| 4 |
ACCESS |
suitability of a building or other structure for use by people with disabilities. In a broader sense, access also included making forms and information accessible to people with visual or cognitive disabilities; making alarms and signals accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing; and making services such as education and transport accessible to people with disabilities. Adjective accessible. (Compare barrier; see also digital divide.) |
| 5 |
ACCESS AISLE |
an accessible pedestrian space between elements, such as parking spaces, seating and desks, that provides clearances appropriate for use of the elements. |
| 6 |
ACCESS AUDIT |
detailed examination of a building or other structure, generally by independent experts, to ascertain its suitability for use by people with disabilities. (See also access.) |
| 7 |
ACCESSIBILITY |
the degree to which a building or other structure provides access for (mainly physically) disabled people. In Singapore, this is determined primarily by regulation 36(2) of the Building Control Regulations. |
| 8 |
ACCESSIBLE ROUTE |
a continuous unobstructed path connecting all accessible elements and spaces of a building or facility. Interior accessible routes may include corridors, floors, ramps, elevators, lifts, and clear floor space at fixtures. Exterior accessible routes may include parking access aisles, curb ramps, crosswalks at vehicular ways, walks, ramps and lifts. |
| 9 |
ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING |
in the context of rehabilitation and independent living by disabled people, these include dressing, making the bed, showering, shaving, combing hair, eating, making drinks and all other activities which will assist in enabling a person with a disability to function to the maximum of his or her capacity within the family and the community. |
| 10 |
ADAPTABILITY |
the ability of certain building spaces and elements, such as kitchen counters, sinks and grab bars, to be added or altered so as to accommodate the needs of persons with different types or degrees of disability |
| 11 |
ADVOCACY |
the act of speaking or interceding for and on behalf of people with disabilities. Advocacy activities seek to empower and allocate resources to people in need of them. |
| 12 |
ADVOCATE |
someone, who may or may not themselves be disabled, who speaks or intercedes for people with disabilities; to speak or intercede in such a way. |
| 13 |
AFFLICTION |
general term for a disability. Unacceptable because it is degrading and stigmatising; a disability is not an affliction. By extension, phrases such as "afflicted with..." are also unacceptable. Use instead of "afflicted with..."use "has..." |
| 14 |
ALZHEIMER''S DISEASE |
progressive degenerative disease of the brain that may involve a combination of symptoms including delirium, delusions, memory disturbance, depression and behavioural disturbances. Usually deteriorates to profound dementia over five to ten years. Alzheimer's disease is one of two main types of dementia, the other being multi-infarct dementia. When speaking generally, it is acceptable to refer to a person with the disease as having a mental disability or simply to say "He/She has Alzheimer's disease". (See also dementia; multi-infarct dementia.) |
| 15 |
AMBULANT DISABLED PERSON |
someone who is, either with or without personal assistance, and who may depend on prostheses (artificial limbs), orthoses (callipers), sticks, crutches or walking aids, able to walk on the level or negotiate suitably graded steps provided that convenient handrails are available. |
Dictionary
