scope:

This document contains a list of currently used terminology to describe accessibility and terms that writers of standards need when writing and designing International Standards. It is important to standardize and define a recognized list of the terms already used and in existing ITU Recommendations and Resolutions, along with those in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Without such a list, there could be confusion not only on the part of writers and implementers of standards, but also by the public at large. It is also important to eliminate terminology that is no longer used, offensive, and demeaning to persons with disabilities (PWD) and others.

The terminology in this document is for use in international work when English is used to refer to telecommunication/ICT accessibility matters. This document is also applicable to everyday life and all usages, including web design and other writings, as well as ICT, telecommunications, and broadcasting standardization. The aim is for it to also be mainstreamed into future policy, regulatory, and academic documents so as to be consistent with global compatibility and understanding. In the future, work that is yet to be created, written, or approved could include new terms that are added as appropriate by consensus in a revision.