Page 12 - Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology

xxii Glossary

Learning disability Reduced intellectual ability affecting all areas of cognitive functioning and accompa-
nied by difficulties in everyday activities.
Local operating network (LONWorks) Networking platform specifically created to address the needs of
control applications.
Lordosis Abnormal inward curvature of the lumbar spine.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Field of imaging using magnetic fields, electric field gradients, and
radio waves to generate detailed images of the body.
Master Device or process that controls one or more other devices or processes (known as slaves).
Means of access Device or method by which a person can operate and interact with an EC unit, computer,
phone, or other; EAT examples are push button, touch screen, head tracking, and voice recognition.
Mesh Network Local network topology in which the infrastructure nodes connect directly, dynamically,
and nonhierarchically to as many other nodes as possible.
Microprompting Assistive technology that guides the user through a task that can be split into several
substeps; for example, a device that talks people through the recipe when cooking a meal.
Middleware Computer software that provides services to software applications beyond those available
from the operating system.
Neurocognitive Cognitive abilities closely linked to the function of certain neural pathways or cortical
areas.
Neurodegenerative Progression of nerve cell damage and death; neurodegenerative diseases include
dementias and other diseases such as Parkinson and Huntington diseases.
Neurorehabilitation Medical process of aiding recovery from, and alleviating functional difficulties
resulting from, injury to the nervous system.
NHS National Health Service in England.
Operationalised To define something in terms of the operations used to determine it.
PAN Computer network used for data transmission amongst devices such as computers, telephones, tab-
lets, and personal digital assistants.
Passive infrared (PIR) Electronic sensor that measures infrared (IR) light radiating from objects in its field
of view.
Personal digital assistant (PDA) Also known as a handheld PC; mobile device that functions as a personal
information manager.
PIC Programmable or peripheral interface controller (microcontroller IC).
Plantarflexion Extension movement of the ankle and a movement of the toes away from the shin.
Premorbid Before the onset of the injury or illness.
Prospective memory Cognitive processes involved in performing or recalling a future intention.
Psychotechnologists Those who apply technology for the purposes of psychology.
Radio frequency (RF) Any of the electromagnetic wave frequencies that lie in the range extending from
around 20 to 300 GHz, roughly the frequencies used in radio communication.
Redundancy Inclusion of extra components that are not strictly necessary to functioning, in case of fail-
ure in other components.
Registered social landlord (RSL) General name for not-for-profit housing providers approved and regu-
lated by the government.
Remote sensing Acquiring information from a distance, often with the view of making inferences using
that information (e.g., inferring behaviour from GPS position over time).
RF Radiofrequency.
Scoliosis Side curvature of the spine.
Self-autonomy Independence in functioning without the need for external support, influence, or
compensation.
Sensor Device, module, or subsystem whose purpose is to detect events or changes in its environment
and send the information to other electronics.