Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG): Provide scoping and technical specifications for new constructions and alterations undertaken by entities covered by the ADA.

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA): A comprehensive federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, public services, public accommodations and services operated by private entities, and telecommunications.

Applet: Computer program that runs from within another application.

Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board - ATBCB: see US Access Board

Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (ABA): A federal law stating that buildings and facilities designed, constructed, or altered with federal funds, or leased by a federal agency, must comply with standards for physical accessibility.

Arterial road — A major through route; arterials often provide direct service between cities and large towns.

ASL - see American Sign Language - see also Sign Language

Assistive Listening Devices (ALD): Assistive Listening Devices are a class of electronic devices used alone, or in conjunction with hearing aids or cochlear implants, to enhance communication over distance or in background noise for hard of hearing people. These devices usually contain some kind of microphone, amplifier, and receiver. They may use radio waves (usually FM) or infrared light to transmit speech from the microphone used by, for example, a tour guide, to the hard of hearing person who has the receiver and amplifier. In some cases, the tour guide may wear an amplified speaker to enhance communication with listeners, and there are other variations.

Assistive technology: Technology used to assist a person with a disability, e.g., wheelchair, hand-splints, computer-based equipment.

Audible warning: A warning consisting of words or sounds indicating a potentially hazardous situation.

Augmentative Communication device: Hardware that allows a person who has difficulty using one’s voice clearly to use words or symbols for communication. This may range in complexity from a simple picture board to complex electronic devices that allow personalized, unique construction of ideas.

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