# Glossary of Terms and Acronyms A disability is a complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between features of a person's body and mind and features of the society in which they live. A disability can occur at any time in a person's life; some people are born with a disability, while others develop a disability later in life. | | | |---|---| | Type | PDF | | Size | 98 KB | [Open original PDF →](https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/Glossary.pdf) Referenced from: [Faculty Resources for Supporting Students with Disabilities](/pages/accessibility/faculty-resources/) ## Document text Northern COLLEGE ACCESSIBILITY ## Glossary of Terms and Acronyms ## Disability A disability is a complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between features of a person's body and mind and features of the society in which they live. A disability can occur at any time in a person's life; some people are born with a disability, while others develop a disability later in life. Disabilities can affect an individual's physical capabilities, or their ability to organize, retain, understand or use verbal or nonverbal information. ## Ableism Discrimination of abled-bodied people, a belief or perception that persons with accessibility needs as being less worthy of respect and consideration, less able to contribute and participate, or of less inherent value than other. Ableism can occur consciously or unconsciously, and can be embedded in institutions, systems, or the broader culture of a society. ## Flare-up The exacerbation of a chronic disease after a period of no or lessened symptoms. A flare-up occurs when symptoms of a disease that has been present for a time suddenly worsen. A flare-up is a transient worsening in the severity of a disease or condition that eventually subsides or lessens. ## Individualized Education Plan (IEP) An Individualized Education Plan - or IEP - is a written plan that describes accessibility programs, accommodations, and services that a school board will provide for a student. IEPs are not used in Ontario College, instead colleges use an Accommodation Plan that is created by your Campus' Accessibility Services Department and sent to your instructors/professors. ## Accommodation Any modification that helps reduces or eliminates barriers to participation in society or education when an individual with a disability interacts with the existing physical or digital environment. Northern ACCESSIBILITY COLLEGE ## Assistive Technologist An Assistive Technologist - sometimes referred to as an Adaptive Technologist or AT is a learning support professional who specializes in the training, procurement, and provision of adaptive technologies that meet the unique needs of accommodated individuals. ## Assistive Technology Assistive technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities. ## Learning Strategist A Learning Strategist is a learning support professional who works with students to identify learning preferences, strengths and challenges to develop personalized strategies. A Learning Strategist can help a student understand how they can work more effectively. ## Accessibility Advisor An Accessibility Advisor is a learning support professional who helps to ensure that the learning environment is accessible. An Accessibility Advisor can provide academic support and student advocacy, and assist in coordinating a psycho-education assessment. Students who wish to register with Accessibility Services should see a Accessibility Advisor to discuss accessibility options. ## Bursary for Students with Disabilities The Bursary for Students with Disabilities - or more commonly referred to as the BSWD - is a bursary application that is accessible for students with disabilities who are funded through OSAP . The BSWD is provincially funded by the Government of Ontario and is accessible to Ontario residents. The BSWD can be used to fund a psychoeducational assessment, pay for equipment or software, or access to counseling services. The CSG-DSE shares the same application as the BSWD. Northern COLLEGE ACCESSIBILITY ## Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment - Students with Disabilities The Canada Student Grant for Services and Equipment - Students with Disabilities or the CSG-DSE, is a student grant available for students with disabilities for the purchasing of assistive technology. The CSG-DSE is a federally funded grant from the Government of Canada. ## Ontario Student Assistance Program The Ontario Student Assistance Program - or OSAP - is a financial aid program that can help students pay for college or university. It must be applied for in order to access funds. Funding can be either grants or a student loan that must be repaid at a future date. For more information or help applying, students should contact their campus FAO. ## Financial Aid Officer A financial aid officer reviews student financial aid applications at postsecondary institutions and determines approval and the amount of financial aid awarded to the students. They can also assist students in understanding the processes of the OSAP system. ## Disability Verification Form (DVF) The Disability Verification Form - or DVF - is an OSAP form that is used to collect information regarding your disability, including documentation from your healthcare provider. This information is used to verify your status as a person with a disability for Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) purposes. ## Healthcare Professional (HCP) A Healthcare Professional (HCP) is an individual who is a certified provider of health care treatment and advice based on formal training and experience such as a family physician, psychologist, etc. ## Speech-to-Text Software Speech to text is a speech recognition software that enables the recognition and translation of a spoken language into text on a computer or personal device. Northern ACCESSIBILITY COLLEGE ## Text-to-Speech Software Text-to-Speech software (TTS) is assistive technology software that enables digital text to be read out loud. ## Recording Device Recording device means any audio recorder, electronic device or other instrument that creates an audio recording for future review. ## FM System A frequency modulation system or FM System is an assistive device that is used to help a person with hearing loss or impairment listen in noisy places, such as a classroom. It involves the use of two devices, a microphone unit and receiver unit. A speaker uses the microphone unit to directly feed audio to the receiver unit; an individual can then use a pair of headphones to listen. ## Retroactive Accommodation Accommodations requested after the fact, such as after a deadline, test, or course completion. Requesting a retroactive accommodation will require situational review and must be considered in conjunction with the unique circumstances and individual student needs. ## Reader An individual who is tasked on reading tests/exams out loud as an accommodation. ## Scribe An individual who is tasked on writing/typing answers for tests/exams as an accommodation. A scribe cannot and will not answer test questions for a student and cannot help outside as acting as a means of writing/typing answers. They effectively act as a student's hands. ## Electronic Textbook A textbook that is present in an accessible alternative format, usually an accessible pdf. Northern COLLEGE ACCESSIBILITY ## SERVICES ## Calculator A small electronic device used to perform mathematical operations and display the result. ## Formula Sheet A paper sheet created by the student to aid in the recollection of mathematical formulae. --- Source: [https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/Glossary.pdf](https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/Glossary.pdf)