Glossary
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W-X-Y-Z
A
Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
Various routine activities that are performed day to day, such as putting on
clothes, preparing meals, household chores, working at a job, going to school,
using transportation to get from one place to another, etc.
Alliance for Technology Access (ATA)
A national network of community-based assistive technology centers, other
grassroots organizations, companies and individuals enhancing the lives of
people with disabilities through technology. ATA coordinates the AT Network for
the CA Department of Rehabilitation.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
A federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of
disability in (1) employment, (2) programs, services and activities of state and
local government agencies and (3) goods, services, facilities, advantages,
privileges and accommodation of places of public accommodation.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
The professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than
127,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists, speech-language
pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists.
Assistive Listening Devices (ALD)
Devices that amplify a speaker’s voice to a level where a person with
hearing loss can hear more clearly.
Assistive Technology Act (ATA) of 1998, as amended in 2004
A federal law enacted in 1998 providing financial assistance to states. The
ATA of 1998 replaces the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with
Disabilities Act. The act was amended in 2004.
Assistive Technology Device
Any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether obtained
commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase,
maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
Assistive Technology Service
Any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the
selection, acquisition or use of an assistive technology device.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Device (AAC)
Electronic and mechanical devices used by individuals with speech
disabilities to communicate
C
Charpentier Injunction
A court order establishing the procedure for the payment of medical
equipment and supplies required by individuals who are dually eligible for
Medicare.
Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV)
A device that uses a special television camera to magnify a printed page or
other object. The enlarged image is displayed on a computer monitor or
television screen.
D
Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
Generally, DME is defined as medical equipment which withstands repeated
use, is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose, is generally
not useful in the absence of illness or injury, is appropriate for use in the
home and is reasonable and necessary for the treatment of an injury or illness.
E
Early Intervention Services
A program of activities and services, including assistive technology,
required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for children
from birth through age two.
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT)
A comprehensive health care program under Medicaid designed to provide
necessary medical services to children aged 21 and under. The standard of
medical necessity under EPSDT allows for full access to needed medical services
for children.
Effective Communication
A requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) obligating
entities covered by the Act to ensure that their communications with individuals
with disabilities are as effective as those with other non-disabled individuals.
Environmental Control Units (ECUs)
Devices that allow an individual to control the elements of the environment,
including devices to monitor and maintain required temperature, humidity and
quality of the air; devices for opening and closing doors; and controls for
using household appliances.
F
Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
The requirement under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
entitling children with disabilities aged 3-21 to an individualized public
education at no cost to parents.
Fundamental Alteration
The term used in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to mean a
significant modification that alters the essential nature of a service or
program.
H
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Program (HISA)
A program under the Veterans Administration that pays for improvements
necessary for the continuation of treatment or to provide access to the home and
essential lavatory and sanitary facilities.
I
Independent Living Center
A community-based nonprofit organization mandated to provide services to
people with disabilities to enhance their ability to live independently.
Independent Living Services
A wide variety of services designed to enhance the abilities of individuals
with significant disabilities to live independently, either in the community or
with their families, and, if appropriate, to secure and maintain employment.
Individual Education Program (IEP)
A legal document developed by a team containing a special education
student's present levels of educational performance, goals and objectives,
special education and related services and placement for each school year.
Individualized Plan for Employment
A written document stating the employment outcome of a vocational
rehabilitation client and the specific vocational rehabilitation services the
Department of Rehabilitation shall provide to the client.
Individualized Transition Plan
IDEA requires public schools to develop transition service plans for older
students who need to prepare for community living after leaving high school.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Federal law that authorizes special education and related services including
assistive technology.
J
Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
A consulting service that provides information about job accommodations and
the employability of people with disabilities.
L
Least Restrictive Environment
The educational setting where a student with disabilities can receive a free
and appropriate public education designed to meet his or her education needs
while being educated with peers without disabilities in the regular educational
environment to the maximum extent appropriate.
Lemon Law
A consumer protection law that provides legal remedies for buyers of
consumer goods. The Lemon law contains special provisions for buyers and users
of assistive technology.
M
Medically Necessary
The standard used by public and private health plans to determine a
beneficiary's need for a covered benefit. Each program has its own definition of
medical necessity.
Medicare
A health insurance program for people who qualify for social security
disability payments and their dependents.
O
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
A division of the U.S. Department of Education administering the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act. From time to time, the OSEP issues policy
letters clarifying the Department's position on various special education
topics.
P
PRC
Acronym for Prentke Romich Company.
Payor of Last Resort
A legal designation whereby the resources of a public entity may be used to
pay for a benefit only after exhausting the possibility of using the resources
of other agencies and entities.
Personal Devices
Under the ADA, equipment, aids and supplies used by an individual with a
disability primarily for meeting personal needs unrelated to the activities and
programs covered by the ADA.
Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS)
A social security work incentive program which allows individuals with
disabilities to receive supplemental security income (SSI). Under the PASS, the
individual puts some of his or her income or available resources in a plan for
the purpose of securing or maintaining a specific employment objective.
Policy
A rule, criterion or guideline established by an entity in order to
delineate its operations. Generally, governmental agencies establish internal
policies to promote the ends set out in their implementing regulations.
Prior Approval/Authorization
A requirement by which a beneficiary of a program must obtain authorization
before receiving a service.
Prosthetic Devices
Devices affixed to, or implanted in, the body to substitute for, or assist
the function of, a defective or missing body part or organ.
Public Accommodation
A private entity that owns or operates a place of business to which the
public is invited. The place where the entity conducts its activities is
referred to as the place of public accommodation. Typical examples of such
places include restaurants, retail stores, hotels and doctors' offices.
Q
Qualified Individual with a Disability
Under the ADA, an individual with a disability who meets the essential
eligibility requirements to be considered for an employment position, or for
participation in a public program or activity.
R
Reasonable Accommodations
Under the ADA, reasonable adjustments, modifications or provision of
services and equipment necessary to enable an individual with a disability to
enjoy equal opportunities in employment. The term is routinely used to include
accommodations needed under other circumstances in which entities are
administering public programs or providing private service to the public.
Rehabilitation Act
A Federal law entitling individuals with disabilities to vocational
rehabilitation and independent living services. This law also prohibits
discrimination on the basis of disability by various entities including the
federal government, recipients of federal financial assistance and federal
contractors.
Related Services
A range of supportive services that are necessary for a child with a
disability to receive a free and appropriate public education. Related services
include assistive technology devices and services.
S
Special Education
A program of services and activities required by the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act in order to provide a free and appropriate
public education to children with disabilities.
T
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988
(“Tech Act”)
A federal law enacted in 1988 and expired in 1998 that provided grants to
states for the purpose of carrying out a coordinated program for systemic change
to promote access to assistive technology. This law was replaced by the
Assistive Technology Act of 1998.
Telecommunications Devices Access Program (TDAP)
Program established in 1999 by the Tennessee General Assembly initially
aimed to help individuals with hearing loss, vision and speech disabilities. The
General Assembly expanded the program in 2004 to people with any disability.
V
Vocational Rehabilitation Service
A range of vocational services including training, counseling, job placement
,and assistive technology provided by the Department of Rehabilitation for the
purpose of maximizing the employability of individuals with disabilities.
W
Work Incentive Program
Various federal programs available through the Social Security
Administration that allow SSI recipients and applicants to receive SSI payments
while engaging in gainful employment.