Glossary of Accessibility Terms
Screen Reader:
A device commonly used by people who are blind or visually impaired. A screen reader uses text and code to verbally describe what is on the computer screen.
Auditory Processing Disorder:
Interferes with a person’s ability to distinguish sounds, single out specific sounds in loud environments, or follow oral instructions.
Visual Processing Disorder:
Interferes with a person’s ability to process visual information (e.g. dyslexia and dysgraphia).
Color Blindness:
Interferes with a person’s ability to see color or distinguish colors. Usually occurs in specific pairs: red & green, blue & yellow, purple & orange, but there is also total color blindness.
Deaf/Hard of Hearing:
Permanent total or moderate hearing loss. Some can hear with technology or surgery. Deaf people commonly use captions, lip reading, or a sign language interpreter to interact with the hearing world.
Hearing Impaired:
Mild hearing loss. Usually temporary (e.g. tinnitus).
Speaker Notes:
Notes section at the bottom of PowerPoint slides. These notes can be read by a screen reader and seen while you are in presentation mode with two displays (i.e. you MSU Denver device and a projector/desktop).
Color Contrast Ratio:
The different between two colors. To be ADA compliant, text and background need to have a ratio of at least 4:5:1 (black on white is 21:1; white on white is 1:1).
Image Captions:
Text that provides context for a figure. usually below the figure and denotes 
The figure number (i.e. Figure 2). Captions benefit anyone viewing the information.
Alternative Text:
Text attached to a figure that is read by a screen reader. Described the photo to the user.
Closed Captions and Subtitles:
Both refer to text over videos. Closed captions are more detailed as they name speakers and identify sounds. Subtitles display the audible dialogue only.
