Glossary Terms for Physical Accessibility
- Access aisle
- An area next to an accessible parking space set aside for the person using that parking space. Drivers and passengers use these aisles to enter and exit a vehicle, deploy wheelchair lifts, or transfer from a vehicle to a mobility device. 1
- Accessible
- describes a place, object, service, or content that a person with a disability can perceive, use, interact with, or understand. In some countries, “accessible” describes places, objects, services, or content that meet legal standards for accessibility to people with disabilities. 2 1 3 4 5
- Accessible means of egress
- A continuous and accessible route from any point in a building facility to an exit, refuge area, or public right of way. The routes lead to emergency egress points. 1
- Accessible path of travel
- See accessible route
- Accessible restroom
- See accessible toilet room 1
- Accessible route
- A route that provides a consistent connection between different accessible elements. The route must be continuous and uninterrupted, without any objects or obstructions that would interrupt it. There are three types of accessible paths of travel:
- Accessible routes from site arrival points
- Connect facility entrances and sidewalks, parking, drop-off areas, or transit stops. These are also called accessible paths of travel.
- Exterior accessible routes within a site
- Connect different facilities or buildings to one another
- Interior accessible routes
- Connect different points of interest within a facility or building to one another.
In some countries, all accessible routes are called accessible paths of travel. These routes can include circulation paths.2 1 4 - Accessible toilet room
- Any room with a toilet that meets accessibility standards. These are usually restrooms, but can be part of a restroom facility - for example, if the toilets and sinks are in separate rooms. In many countries, the terms accessible restroom or accessible washroom are more common. 2 1
- Accessible washroom
- See accessible toilet room.
- Alert and signal devices
- tools that indicate an emergency or other important event to people present in a building. Common examples include fire alarms, smoke detectors, entrance bells, and door closing warning devices. 2 Many regulations specify the need for audible signals that someone can hear and visual signals that someone can see. Audible signals must meet certain sound and frequency requirements. Visual signals must meet certain brightness and frequency requirements. 1 2
- Alteration
- A temporary or permanent physical change to a building or facility that could affect whether the building is accessible. Common alterations include construction detours, renovations, equipment replacement, refinished floor surfaces, and revised signage. In some cases, alterations can pose obstacles, create protrusions, or lead to a change in level. 2 1
- Approach
- A route leading to the entrance of a site, building, facility, or element, or a specific fixture or element. An accessible approach meets standards for accessible routes. Approaches to facilities and elements must meet certain standards to be accessible. There are two types of common approach: forward approaches, which allow someone to come directly to an element or site, and side or parallel approaches, in which someone can come such that the element or fixture is to their side. 1
- Assembly area
- A part of or an entire building or facility used for gatherings. These areas may be for entertainment, government, educational, or business purposes. Examples include classrooms, courtrooms, theaters, auditoriums, and arenas. Laws in most countries mandate that these areas must be accessible. 1
- Assistive listening device
- A portable system used to amplify or distinguish sounds. Many people use these devices to provide additional support beyond a hearing aid or cochlear implant. They are often used together with assistive listening systems. 6
- Assistive listening system
- A system installed in a building or facility that provides amplified audio for people who use hearing aids or other assistive technology. The system connects with the device a person uses to provide amplified, clear sound. The system is connected with a microphone. Systems are named for their technology. The most common system is an audio induction loop; FM radio devices, Bluetooth devices, and infrared headset systems are also in use. 2 1 6 5
- Audible signal
- See alert and signal devices.
- Baby changing station
- A work surface used primarily to change babies’ diapers. 2 1
- Banister
- See handrail.
- Barrier-free access
- See step-free access.
- Change of level
- Any shift in how high the ground surface is. This change can be a gradual shift, such as on a ramp, or abrupt, as in a stair. A change of level creates more than one level. If a building has more than one floor, it has a change of level. 2 1
- Check-out counter
- See counter
- Circulation path
- An indoor or outdoor path for pedestrians. Examples include sidewalks, hallways or corridors, elevators, ramps, and stairs. In some countries, these are called pedestrian routes. A circulation path can be part of an interior or exterior accessible route. 2 1
- Clear line of sight
- The ability of someone to see an event or object they wish to watch without anything blocking it. Examples of where this applies include performance venues, signs, and other wayfinding cues or indicators, such as vehicle controls and art exhibit layouts. 1 2
- Clear floor space
- See clearance
- Clear ground space
- See clearance
- Clear opening
- A space in which there are no protrusions. Accessible routes and door openings must have clear openings of a minimum width. 1
- Clearance
- This term is used in two separate ways.
- A clear floor or ground space in front of elements, fixtures, doors, controls, and other features of a building, facility, or site. Clearances help people with disabilities approach, use, and leave these features. Clearances also help people who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices turn or maneuver in a space. In some countries, regulations distinguish clear floor space, clear ground space, and turning space, as well as transfer spaces. 2 1
- Space under, above, or around an element that protects people from bumping into surfaces, especially if those surfaces can harm them. Common forms include headroom or vertical clearance, knee clearance, and toe clearance. These help people avoid bumping or hurting their heads, knees, and feet. 2 1
- Common use
- Any private space or path that is meant to be used by multiple people. Examples include shared office kitchens, classrooms, conference rooms, and workplace hallways. 1
- Control
- See operable parts
- Counter
- physical barriers, desks, or locations at which a customer or client seeks or receives a service or achieves a task. In standards, counters are usually marked by what service they are used for. These include sales counters, service counters, service windows, check-out counters, dining counters, and work counters. Also see dining surface and work surface. 2 1
- Curb cut
- See curb ramp.
- Curb ramp
- A short ramp that leads up to a curb, or cuts through a curb. People can use these ramps to go up to or descend from the level of the curb. In some countries, ramps that cut through a curb are called curb cuts. 2 1
- Detectable warning
- See tactile warning
- Dining counter
- See counters and dining surfaces
- Dining surface
- Any surface used for the consumption of food and drink. These surfaces include tables, bars, booths, dining counters, and lunch counters. 1
- Door hardware
- Items used to open, close, or secure a door. Examples include locks, door handles, and door knobs. Different types of door hardware supports people with different disabilities. These items include:
- Automatic door openers and locks: these tools operate the door without contact with the door, either through a button or by motion. Some of these are kick buttons.
- Lever hardware: A turning lever that can be pushed with a hand, arm, or object to open or close a door
- Loop hardware: A fixed handle that can be used to open or close a door, with an area for the fingers
- Push hardware: tools used to open or close a door by pushing; common types include push plates and push bars
- Door swing arc
- the area in which a door may physically swing when the door opens or closes. Clearance spaces must be out of the area of the door swing arc. 1
- Door viewer
- A closed, transparent port or hole in a door to view what is on the other side. These features are commonly called “peepholes.” 1
- Edge barrier
- See edge protection.
- Edge protection
- A raised feature at the edge of a change of level, path, ramp, or platform. This tool helps people with mobility disabilities not fall, and people who use canes to navigate to find edges. Some types of edge protection are called edge barriers, flared sides, or flares in some countries. 2 1
- Element
- A part of a building, facility, or site which people use. For example, doors, appliances, and kiosks are elements. 1
- Elevator
- A mechanical tool used to lift or lower people in a car that travels through a shaft. Elevators must meet specific access and usability guidelines, and differ from platform lifts. Accessibility standards cover:
- The landing by the elevator
- Elevator doors and call buttons (which may be kick buttons)
- The elevator car, in which people travel
- Operable parts (controls or buttons) used in the elevator
- Emergency egress
- Any area that people can use to exit a building or facility during an emergency. Common means of emergency egress include doors, exits, and evacuation paths. 2 4
- Entrance
- Any access point to go into or out of a building or facility, or part of a building or facility. Most people consider doors entrances. However, entrances also include the area to and from the entrance, and any broader vestibule or entry area. Public entrances are entrances anyone can use. Private or restricted entrances are limited in access. 1
- Exterior door
- A door on the outside of a building, leading to an outdoor area. 1
- Facility
- Buildings, paths, entrances and exits, parking, and other elements that people use on a site. 1
- Firm surface
- See stable, firm surface 1
- Fixture
- An element installed into the structure of a building or facility. Common fixtures include home appliances such as stoves, bathroom items such as toilets and sinks, and other items such as coat hooks. Different fixtures must meet different standards to be accessible. 1
- Flare
- See edge protection 1
- Flared sides
- See edge protection 1
- Gangway
- A pedestrian walkway with a variable slope that links a fixed structure or land with a structure floating on water. Standards do not cover gangways to and from ships or boats. 1
- Grab bar
- A sturdy rail or pole that helps people balance or move themselves. These are common in restrooms and showers. Many people with mobility disabilities use grab bars to assist with transferring themselves to and from a wheelchair or walker. There are several types of grab bars:
- Straight grab bars: flat and parallel to a wall.
- Angled grab bars: slanted and parallel to a wall.
- L-shaped grab bars: installed in corners with two sides parallel to two walls.
- Folding or adjustable grab bars: installed on poles next to an object or area. These are not considered accessible in some countries.
- Guard
- A protective barrier around openings in floors or at the open sides of stairs, landings, balconies, mezzanines, galleries, or raised walkways. These prevent falls, slips, or other accidents. 2
- Handrail
- A pole or rail fixed to posts or a structure that someone can hold on to for support. Handrails must have a gripping surface that is safe and usable for people with disabilities. Standards usually set design guidelines for handrails. Banisters can be used as handrails, if they meet these standards. 2 1
- Hoist
- A tool used to lift and move a person from a mobility device, such as a wheelchair, to another seat, a bed, or a toilet. Hoists must meet specific safety standards. Hoists are often found in vehicles and in medical settings. 2
- Incline platform lift
- See platform lift
- Induction loop
- See assistive listening system.
- Interior door
- A door between two parts of a building, which does not lead outdoors or outside the building. 1
International symbol of accessibility **: An icon of a stylized person using a wheelchair. This symbol indicates accessible objects or things, or tools used to enhance accessibility. Examples include signs for accessible parking or restrooms, information about accessibility, or accessible venues. 1
- Kick button
- A floor-level accessible button that does a task when pressed, usually with a foot or wheelchair plate. These are most commonly used for doors and elevators. Also see elevator. 1
- Kick plate
- A flat plate at the bottom of a door that provides a smooth surface to protect a door surface and people’s feet. 1
- Landing
- the area at the end of a stairway or ramp. Landings must meet certain width and clearance requirements. 2 1
- Lavatory
- A sink or wash basin 2 1
- Leading edge
- the end, side, or edge of a protruding object closest to a path of travel, approach, or maneuvering area. 2 1
- Load-bearing wall
- A wall that provides structural support to roofs or upper floors 1
- Lumens or lux
- two types of units used to measure the strength of light. Different people with different disabilities need lighting at different levels, which can be measured with lumens or lux. 7
- Manifestations
- See marked glass.
- Marked crossing
- A crosswalk or other path used by pedestrians crossing a road or other place where cars drive. 1
- Marked glass
- glass with patterns or other designs that indicate the presence of glass. These patterns are either embedded in the glass or applied with tape. In some countries, these patterns are called manifestations. In some countries, this is called safety glass. 5
- Maximum force
- the amount of pressure or weight a person needs to provide to achieve a task. Often found for door operating mechanisms. 1 4
- Mezzanine
- An intermediary level between two levels or stories of a building. The mezzanine is smaller than the other two levels, but still has space for use by people. 1
- Mobility aid
- Any device used by people with mobility disabilities to help them move around. Examples include wheelchairs, walkers, and canes. Also called mobility devices. 1 2
- Occupant evacuation elevators
- specially designed elevators that allow for stair-free emergency evacuation. 2
- Operating controls
- See operable parts. 2
- Operable parts
- Part of an element used to achieve a task. Common tasks include turning something on or off, making an adjustment, or adding or taking away an object. In some countries, operating parts are called controls or operating controls. There are different kinds of operating parts that people can control with the foot, hand, limb, by voice, or by sensor. 2 1 5
- Ostomy
- A surgically created opening in a digestive organ that creates an alternate mechanism for evacuating waste. People with ostomies usually wear ostomy bags that collect solid waste. 8
- Ostomy bag
- See ostomy. 8
- Panic hardware
- electric door hardware, usually as a bar, that enables people to quickly exit in an emergency. Panic hardware often triggers an evacuation alarm. 2
- Passing space
- An area along an accessible route that allows people using mobility aids to pass by or around another person. These spaces must be of specific dimensions. 1
- Pictogram
- A symbol that represents a facility, concept, activity, or item. 1
Place of public accommodations **: A place, space, or service which a business, organization, government agency or other group provides to the public. Places of public accommodation include restaurants, offices, hotels, schools, hospitals, and other facilities. In most jurisdictions, websites are considered “places of public accommodations.” These places must meet accessibility standards under many laws. In the United States and Canada, these are often called “public accommodations.” 2 1
- Platform lift
- An electric platform and machine that allows someone with a mobility device to go over a step, stairs, or other vertical barrier. Platform lifts are often attached to vehicles and staircases. There are both user- and assistant-operated versions of platform lifts. Platform lifts are not the same as elevators, and most standards require elevators to be used rather than platform lifts unless no other option is available. In vehicles, they are often called wheelchair lifts. In buildings, one variety is called a stair lift. 2 1
- Play area
- An area that contains items or tools designed and constructed for children’s play. The items and tools for play are often called play components or play sculptures. 1
- Play component
- See play area
- Play structure
- See play area
- Power-assisted door
- A door that requires some physical force to open, but is assisted by a powered device that supports opening or closing a door. These are often found in large public venues. They are not fully automatic. They may also be called power-operated doors. 1
- Power-operated door
- See power-assisted door
- Privacy wall
- A short, partial wall that obscures the view of something. Privacy walls are often found in restrooms, between the door and the main area. 1
- Protruding object
- See protrusion.
- Protrusion
- Any object that extends into places where people move around. You can find protrusions along paths of travel or circulation paths, in areas where people gather, and in places where people approach or move away from elements. Common protrusions include furniture, equipment, and decorative walls. These can pose a trip or fall hazard for people with disabilities. Also called protruding object. 2 1
- Pedestrian right of way
- See public right of way.
- Private entrance
- See entrance
- Public accommodations
- See place of public accommodation.
- Public and private buildings
- public buildings are owned by government entities. Private buildings are owned by non-government entities. In some countries, accessibility rules for each type of building are different. 1
- Public entrance
- See entrance
- Public right of way
- Land or area meant for public use. This property usually includes roads, sidewalks, paths, and utilities. Areas for pedestrians are also called pedestrian rights-of-way. Specific accessibility standards in many countries cover public and pedestrian rights-of-way. 9 4
- Public use
- describes something - a building, facility, tool, site, or element - meant for people from the public to use, enter, or go through. 1
- Ramp
- A sloped walking surface. Different countries have different rules on how sloped a walking surface must be to count as a ramp. 2 1
- Reach range
- the area in which someone can be expected to reach and touch something from a seated position. Reach ranges are used to determine the heights of operable parts and elements and the size of protrusions. 1
- Reinforced wall
- A wall that has additional support or structural elements to increase the force, pressure, or weight it can withstand. Many different types of reinforcement are available. Reinforced walls support grab bars and other adaptive equipment. 2 1
- Restricted entrance
- See entrance
- Rise
- the level of increase in height over a given length. Rise is used for ramps, gangways, and other changes of level. The scale of the rise is measured in slope. 1
- Safety glass
- See marked glass.
- Sales counter
- See counter
- Sanitary disposal receptacle
- A box or other receptacle for the disposal of tampons, diapers, and other sanitation products. 2
- Self-closing door
- A door that has a mechanism that closes the door without human force, and that will close unless something is inserted or done to keep the door open. 1
- Self-service storage
- A building or facility where customers rent or lease individual storage spaces. In these spaces, customers can access, place items, and remove items on their own. 1
- Series of doors
- two or more sequential doors that together constitute an entrance or exit. 1
- Service counter
- See counter
- Service window
- See counter
- Sign language interpreter station
- A designated location for sign language interpreters to provide services. These stations often allow for filming or streaming interpretation. 2
- Site
- A defined area of land or space that is a property or used for a specific purpose. Sites can include buildings. Examples of sites include campuses, many schools, airports, and bus terminals. 2 1
- Site arrival point
- Any place where people arrive at or leave a facility, building, site, or campus. 1
- Skid resistance
- See slip resistance
- Slip resistance
- Describes a floor surface that reduces the risk of people and their mobility aids from losing grip on the floor and falling. These surfaces are made of materials that provide friction to the foot or mobility aid. Slip-resistant surfaces are also configured to prevent slipping, for example, through texturing. Hazards, such as spills of water and oil or protrusions, can affect slip resistance. Different levels of slip resistance are required in different contexts. The slip-resistant surface must also be stable. Some countries use the term “skid resistant.” 2 1
- Slope
- The incline of a surface such as a ramp, curb ramp, walkway, or corridor. You can measure slope by using a ratio, such as 1:12. The ratio measures the amount of vertical rise over a length of horizontal distance. For example, a rise of 1 centimetre over 12 centimeters of length would produce a ratio of 1:12.
There are two types of slope:
- Cross slope: A change in slope that is perpendicular to the direction of travel. This change is called perpendicular slope in some countries.
- Running slope: parallel to the direction of travel.
- Space
- A definable area. Examples include a room, toilet room, hall, or lobby. 1
- Stable surface
- See stable, firm surface
- Stable, firm surface
- A floor or other circulation surface that resists movement or changes in texture. This type of surface is necessary for people to navigate safely without falling or with the aid of a mobility device. These surfaces are generally hard and continuous, such as wood, concrete, or vinyl planking. In some countries, these are also called stable surfaces. Such surfaces must also be slip resistant. 1
- Stair lift
- See platform lift.
- Stair nosing
- The extended front edge of a step on a staircase. These both protect the staircase and help blind people detect the edge. 2
- Step-free access
- Describes a route or facility that does not require steps or stairs to enter or use. Surfaces may be level or flat, or include ramps, elevators, or lifts. This approach supports people who use mobility devices. The term barrier-free access is more common in some countries. 1 5
- Story/storey
- A floor or level of a building meant for human use. Defined as the area between a floor below and a floor or roof above. A story/storey can include a mezzanine. 2 1
- Structural frame
- The columns, girders, beams, and trusses that support or guarantee the stability of the building or facility as a whole. 1
- Tactile
- An object that someone can perceive by touch. They may do so with a hand, foot, or a tool such as a cane. 1 4
- Tactile paving
- See tactile warning
- Tactile warning
- A textured, distinctive surface patterns of domes or other grooves that warn of a change in level, drop-off, protrusion, or other hazard. These warnings are usually on the floor. These need to be detectable by touch. Also called detectable warnings and tactile paving. 2 1 4
- Task lighting
- directed lighting used for a specific task, such as cooking, reading, or sewing. 2
- Threshold
- the area at the bottom of a door frame separating the floor areas on each side of the door. 1
- Truncated dome
- A type of raised, circular bump used to provide tactile warnings. 2 1
- Transfer device
- A device used to help someone transfer their body to or from a wheelchair or other mobility aid, or between wheelchairs and other mobility aids. 1
- Transfer space
- A clearance area large enough to allow someone to transfer their body from one device to another. 1
- Transient lodging
- A building or facilities that provides rooms for short-term use for sleeping. Examples include hotels and motels. 1
- Turning diameter
- A measure used in some countries to assess the width of a clear floor space. This measurement measures the area needed for someone using a wheelchair to turn around. 2
- TTY
- A machine that provides interactive, text-based communication through the telephone network. These are also called “text telephones.” 1
- Turning space
- See clearance
- Universal design
- A design process with seven principles that seeks to create products, services, tools, and spaces usable by as many people as possible. 10
- Use zone
- the clear area around a play structure in which a child might enter, leave, or fall from equipment. 1
- Vehicular way
- A route used by vehicular traffic. Examples include streets, driveways, and parking lots. 1
- Vertical path of travel
- the route between two levels of different heights in a building, facility, or site. 2
- Visible signal
- See alert and signal devices.
- Visitability
- the ability for someone with a disability to visit and enter or use part of a home. Visitable areas meet accessibility standards. 10
- Walk
- An outdoor, prepared surface for pedestrian use. Examples include sidewalks, plazas, and courtyards. 1
- Water closet
- A toilet. 1
- Wayfinding
- indicators, tools, and systems that help people navigate through a space, understand the space’s features, or gain information. Signs are the most common form of wayfinding. Other types of wayfinding include landmarks, path markings, maps, floor indicators, and kiosks. 11 12
- Wheelchair lift
- See platform lift
- Wheelchair space
- A space set aside for a wheelchair and its user. 1
- White cane
- A long baton or device used by blind or low-vision people to detect obstacles. This cane also identifies people who are blind or low-vision for sighted passers-by. 10
- Work area equipment
- Any built-in or permanently installed machine, instrument, or other tool used to perform work. This term does not cover elevators or platform lifts. 1
- Work counter
- See counter and work surface
- Work surface
- Any surface used to achieve a task, such as a desk, workstation, work counter, writing carrel, laboratory station, or table. 1
Footnotes
Section titled “Footnotes”-
US Access Board - ADA Accessibility Standards ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18 ↩19 ↩20 ↩21 ↩22 ↩23 ↩24 ↩25 ↩26 ↩27 ↩28 ↩29 ↩30 ↩31 ↩32 ↩33 ↩34 ↩35 ↩36 ↩37 ↩38 ↩39 ↩40 ↩41 ↩42 ↩43 ↩44 ↩45 ↩46 ↩47 ↩48 ↩49 ↩50 ↩51 ↩52 ↩53 ↩54 ↩55 ↩56 ↩57 ↩58 ↩59 ↩60 ↩61 ↩62 ↩63 ↩64 ↩65 ↩66 ↩67 ↩68 ↩69 ↩70 ↩71 ↩72 ↩73 ↩74 ↩75 ↩76 ↩77 ↩78 ↩79 ↩80 ↩81 ↩82 ↩83 ↩84 ↩85 ↩86 ↩87 ↩88 ↩89 ↩90 ↩91 ↩92
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Accessible Canada Act - Draft CAN-ASC-2.3 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11 ↩12 ↩13 ↩14 ↩15 ↩16 ↩17 ↩18 ↩19 ↩20 ↩21 ↩22 ↩23 ↩24 ↩25 ↩26 ↩27 ↩28 ↩29 ↩30 ↩31 ↩32 ↩33 ↩34 ↩35 ↩36 ↩37 ↩38 ↩39 ↩40 ↩41 ↩42 ↩43 ↩44 ↩45 ↩46 ↩47
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Ciudad de México Manual de Normas Técnicas de Accesibilidad (PDF, in Spanish) ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8
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Access to and use of buildings - Building Regulations 2010 (PDF) and Building regulations ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
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University at Buffalo Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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New Zealand Government Property Office - Wayfinding and Signage ↩