Sometimes being disabled is the result of something not being accessible. A lot of language and communication is not accessible. For example, acronyms and abbreviations which are very common in the business world and in the public sector have found their way into a lot of the language and communication that people with disabilities and their supporters must interact with.
A simple way to make everything a little bit more accessible and human is to drop these acronyms wherever possible and start talking in language to everybody can understand.
At The Disability Fight we urge you to highlight and question whenever an acronym is used in any communication or discussion. If it must be used the explanation of it should be very clearly explained. Any time you receive a communication with one please reply to the sender asking what does the acronym mean.
A-Z Disability Dictionary (Acronyms & Abbreviations)
- AAC – Augmentative and Alternative Communication
- ABA – Applied Behaviour Analysis
- ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- ADL – Activities of Daily Living
- ADMA – Assisted Decision Making Act
- AFO – Ankle Foot Orthosis
- AHD – Advance Healthcare Directives
- AIMS – Access and Inclusion Model
- AMO – Area Medical Officer
- ANA – Additional Needs Assistant
- AND – Assistant National Director
- AON – Assessment of Need
- AT – Assisted Technology
- BCBA – Board Certified Behavioural Analyst
- CA – Carer’s Allowance
- CAMHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
- CB – Carer’s Benefit
- CBA – Community Based Assessment
- CCPT – Child Centred Play Therapy
- CDNM – Children’s Disability Network Manager
- CDNT – Children’s Disability Network Team
- CDNTIMS – Information Management System (in CDNT)
- CHO – Community Health Organisation
- CORU – Multi-profession Health Regulator
- CSG – Cross Sectoral Government Group on Disability Issues for Children and Young People
- CSO – Central Statistics Office
- DA – Disability Allowance
- DARE – Disability Access Route to Education
- DCA – Domiciliary Care Allowance
- DCDE – Department of Children, Disability and Equality
- DFI – Disability Federation of Ireland
- DMR – Decision Making Representative
- DMRO – Decision Making Representation Order
- DOE – Department of Education
- DOH – Department of Health
- DPO – Disabled Persons Organisation
- DSS – Decision Support Service
- DTES – Disability Toll Exemption Scheme
- Dx – Diagnosis
- EPA – Enduring Power of Attorney
- EPSEN – Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs
- ESCoP – European Statistics Code of Practice
- FCP – Family Centred Practice
- FEDS – Feeding, Eating, Drinking, Swallowing Difficulties
- FF – Family Forum
- FOI – Freedom of Information
- FRC – Family Resource Centre
- FRG – Family Representative Group
- FTE – Full Time Equivalent
- FUSS – Families Unite for Services & support
- HSCP – Health & Social Care Professionals
- HSE – Health Service Executive
- ICF International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
- ICSF – Integrated Children’s Services Forum
- ID – Intellectual Disability
- IEP – Individual Education Plan
- IFSP – Individual Family Support Plan
- IIDB – Injury Benefit / Invalidity Pension (often referenced under DSP scheme supports)
- IHREC – Irish Human Rights Equality Commission
- IWD – Individual with Disability
- IDS – Irish Disability Survey
- ISL – Irish Sign Language
- ITS – Independent Travel Support
- KPI – Key Performance Indicator
- MDT – Multidisciplinary Team
- MH – Mental Health
- MSW – Medical Social Work
- NAP – National Access Policy
- NCSE – National Council for Special Education
- NDA – National Disability Authority
- NDS – National Disability Survey
- NEPS – National Education Psychology Service
- NGO – NON Governmental Organisation
- OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- OP – Optional Protocol (related to UNCRPD)
- OT – Occupational Therapy / Therapist
- PA – Personal Assistant
- PBA – Play Based Assessment
- PBS – Positive Behavioural Support
- PC – Primary Care
- PCA – Personal Care Assistant
- PCC – Primary Care Centre
- PDS – Progressing Disability Services
- PECS – Picture Exchange Communication System
- PT – Physical Therapy, Physiotherapy / Physiotherapist
- PTA – Preliminary Team Assessment
- PWD – Persons with Disability
- RACE – Reasonable Accommodations in Certificate Examinations
- RAG – Resource Allocation Group
- SCPA – Scheme for Commissioning Psychology Assessments (NEPS related)
- SEN(D) – Special Educational Needs (Disabilities)
- SENCO – Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator
- SENO – Special Educational Needs Organiser
- SET – Special Education Teacher
- SIP – Service improvement Programme Board
- SIP – Service Improvement Plan
- SLT/SALT – Speech and Language Therapy
- SNA – Special Needs Assistant
- SOP – Standard Operating Procedures
- SPoA – Single Point of Access
- SSP – Student Support Plan
- SW – Social Work
- UNCRPD – United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- WHO – World Health Organisation
- WG – Working Groups
- WTE – Whole Time Equivalent (related to staffing)
Let us know when you come across another one.
“Inspired by Leah Hilliard’s artistic work FOR OFFICE USE ONLY”
Icon above – The Accessible Icon Project is an ongoing work of design activism. It starts with a graphic icon, free for use in the public domain, and continues its work as a collaboration among people with disabilities and their allies toward a more accessible world. https://accessibleicon.org/