Accessibility

As part of the completed DACHS (Digital Accessibility CHecking and Simulation) project run by the Accessibility Services (ZAB), a glossary has been compiled containing German terms relating to disability, inclusion, participation and (digital) accessibility. The entries are of particular importance in the higher education context.

The glossary aims to establish a common understanding of terminology and to support professional engagement with these topics. The terms explained originate from various fields, including social sciences and law, disability studies, education, higher education development, and information and communication technologies.

The definitions are based on current academic, legal and practical discourses, in particular on human rights-based approaches such as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the German code of social law IX and international standards on digital accessibility. In this context, disability is not understood as an individual deficit, but is viewed in conjunction with social, structural and (digital) barriers.

The glossary is aimed at anyone concerned with inclusion, equal opportunities and accessibility. It is not intended as an exhaustive list, but rather as a continuously updated reference work and a guide, helping to foster precise and thoughtful discussion about disability and participation.

We will gradually be publishing explanations from the glossary on our Instagram channel as well. So it’s well worth following us!

In this context, we would also like to mention the ZAB Language Compass. This is a manually maintained tool that checks self-written texts for ableist language and suggests respectful and neutral alternatives.