Glossary

An explanation of some of the words used in this document. 

Barrier is something that makes it difficult or impossible for people to do something.

Demography is statistics about people, such as age and ethnicity.

Disability is something that happens when people with impairments face barriers in society that limit their movements, senses or activities.

Disabled people are people who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. This is the understanding of disability in the Convention.

Enabling is to provide with the ability or means to do something.

Equality means that everyone gets the same opportunities.

Equity is recognising that sometimes people need different things in order to be equal.

Impairment is a problem with the functioning of, or the structure of someone’s body.

Investing is about spending time, energy or money on something.

Mainstream means things including activities, services, supports, attitudes or ideas, that are open to everyone to use or participate in. 

Non-disabling is about removing the barriers in society that disable people with impairments.

Pedagogy is the theory of teaching.

Proxy means something similar.

Reasonable Accommodation is making necessary and appropriate modifications and adjustments not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure to persons with disabilities the enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Twin-track approach is making sure that mainstream activities and opportunities are inclusive of, and accessible to, all people and that specific activities and opportunities that are required by some people are also made available to those people. 

Universal design is good design that works for everyone.