Disability Glossary
Plain-language definitions for every acronym and term Canadian disability families need to know.
64 terms
A
- ACSD— Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (Ontario)Provincial Programs
- Ontario benefit of up to $500/month for families caring for a child with a severe disability.
- ADP— Assistive Devices Program (Ontario)Provincial Programs
- Ontario program covering 75% of the cost of approved assistive devices (wheelchairs, hearing aids, prosthetics, etc.).
- AISH— Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (Alberta)Provincial Programs
- Alberta income support for adults with permanent disability. Up to $1,863/month.
- ABA— Applied Behaviour AnalysisMedical & Therapy
- A therapy approach commonly used for autism that focuses on increasing helpful behaviors and reducing harmful ones. Controversial within the autistic community.
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- AAC— Augmentative and Alternative CommunicationMedical & Therapy
- Any tool or method that helps someone communicate when speech is difficult. Includes picture boards, sign language, and speech-generating devices.
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- ADL— Activities of Daily LivingMedical & Therapy
- The basic tasks of everyday life: eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, moving around. OTs help people improve their ADLs.
- ASD— Autism Spectrum DisorderDisability & Community
- The clinical term for autism. A neurodevelopmental condition affecting social communication, sensory processing, and behavior. Wide spectrum of support needs.
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- ALS— Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisDisability & Community
- A progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells responsible for voluntary muscle movement. Also called Lou Gehrig's disease.
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- AODA— Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities ActLegal & Rights
- Ontario law requiring organizations to remove barriers and be accessible to people with disabilities.
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- ACA— Accessible Canada ActLegal & Rights
- Federal law aiming to make Canada barrier-free by 2040. Applies to federally regulated organizations.
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C
- CDB— Canada Disability BenefitBenefits & Tax
- New federal monthly payment of up to $200/month for working-age adults with disabilities who have the DTC.
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- CDSG— Canada Disability Savings GrantBenefits & Tax
- Government matching grant deposited into your RDSP. Up to $3,500/year based on family income and contributions.
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- CDSB— Canada Disability Savings BondBenefits & Tax
- Government contribution to RDSP for low-income individuals. Up to $1,000/year with no personal contribution required.
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- CCB— Canada Child BenefitBenefits & Tax
- Monthly tax-free payment to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children. CDB is added on top of this.
- CPP-D— Canada Pension Plan — DisabilityBenefits & Tax
- Monthly payment for people who contributed to CPP but can no longer work due to disability.
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- CCC— Canada Caregiver CreditBenefits & Tax
- Tax credit of up to $8,601 for people caring for a family member with a disability.
- CDCP— Canadian Dental Care PlanBenefits & Tax
- Federal dental coverage for Canadians with household income under $90,000.
- CLBC— Community Living British ColumbiaProvincial Programs
- BC Crown agency providing supports and services for adults with developmental disabilities.
- CYSN— Children and Youth with Support Needs (BC)Provincial Programs
- BC ministry services for children with disabilities including funding, respite, and therapy.
- CBT— Cognitive Behavioral TherapyMedical & Therapy
- A type of talk therapy that helps people identify and change unhelpful thought patterns. Used for anxiety, depression, and adapted for intellectual disabilities.
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- CIMT— Constraint-Induced Movement TherapyMedical & Therapy
- A therapy where the stronger limb is constrained to force use of the weaker limb. Used for cerebral palsy and brain injury.
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- CP— Cerebral PalsyDisability & Community
- A group of disorders affecting movement and posture caused by damage to the developing brain. Not progressive — does not get worse over time.
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- CDSS— Canadian Down Syndrome SocietyOrganizations
- National nonprofit advocating for and supporting people with Down syndrome and their families.
- CMHA— Canadian Mental Health AssociationOrganizations
- National charity with 330+ community locations providing mental health programs and services.
- CNIB— Canadian National Institute for the BlindOrganizations
- National nonprofit supporting people with vision loss through programs, technology, and advocacy.
- CORD— Canadian Organization for Rare DisordersOrganizations
- National network for rare disease patient groups, advocacy, and resources.
- CRA— Canada Revenue AgencyOrganizations
- Federal tax agency. Where you apply for DTC, claim tax credits, and file returns.
- CRPD— Convention on the Rights of Persons with DisabilitiesLegal & Rights
- United Nations treaty protecting the rights of people with disabilities. Canada ratified it in 2010.
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D
- DTC— Disability Tax CreditBenefits & Tax
- Federal tax credit worth up to $10,138/year (adult) or $16,052 (child). Applied through CRA with form T2201 signed by a medical practitioner.
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- DIR— Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based (Floortime)Medical & Therapy
- A therapy approach for autism that focuses on following the child's lead and building relationships through play. Alternative to ABA.
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- DSM-5— Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th EditionMedical & Therapy
- The manual used to diagnose mental health conditions, autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and intellectual disabilities.
E
- EI— Employment InsuranceBenefits & Tax
- Federal program providing temporary income when you lose your job, are sick, or caregiving. Caregiving benefit is up to 26 weeks.
- EA— Educational AssistantEducation
- A trained support worker assigned to help a student with a disability in the classroom.
- ESDC— Employment and Social Development CanadaOrganizations
- Federal department responsible for CPP-D, EI, RDSP, and other social programs.
F
- FSCD— Family Support for Children with Disabilities (Alberta)Provincial Programs
- Alberta program providing respite, therapy funding, equipment, and family support for children with disabilities.
- FASD— Fetal Alcohol Spectrum DisorderMedical & Therapy
- A range of effects caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. Includes FAS, pFAS, and ARND. Brain-based, not willful — "can't, not won't."
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- FAS— Fetal Alcohol SyndromeMedical & Therapy
- The most severe form of FASD with characteristic facial features and significant cognitive impacts.
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G
- GMFCS— Gross Motor Function Classification SystemMedical & Therapy
- A 5-level scale (I-V) used to describe movement ability in cerebral palsy. Level I walks without limitations, Level V has limited voluntary movement.
H
- HATC— Home Accessibility Tax CreditBenefits & Tax
- Tax credit for up to $20,000 in home modification expenses to make your home accessible. Requires DTC.
I
- IEP— Individual Education PlanEducation
- A written plan developed by the school for a student with special needs. Outlines goals, accommodations, and supports. Updated annually. You have the right to participate in creating it.
- IPRC— Identification, Placement and Review Committee (Ontario)Education
- Ontario committee that formally identifies a student as "exceptional" and decides their school placement. Parents have the right to attend and appeal.
- ICD-10— International Classification of Diseases, 10th EditionMedical & Therapy
- The coding system doctors use to classify diagnoses. Your child's diagnosis will have an ICD-10 code. Needed for benefits applications.
- IDD— Intellectual and Developmental DisabilityDisability & Community
- Umbrella term for conditions that affect intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. Includes Down syndrome, autism, FASD, and others.
M
- METC— Medical Expense Tax CreditBenefits & Tax
- Federal tax credit for eligible medical expenses over $2,834. Includes therapy, equipment, travel for medical care. Keep all receipts.
- MS— Multiple SclerosisDisability & Community
- An autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. Causes unpredictable episodes of neurological symptoms.
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N
- NIHB— Non-Insured Health BenefitsDisability & Community
- Federal health benefits program for registered First Nations and recognized Inuit. Covers drugs, dental, vision, medical travel, and more.
O
- ODSP— Ontario Disability Support ProgramProvincial Programs
- Ontario income support for people with disabilities. Up to $1,368/month. Also provides drug, dental, and vision coverage.
- OAP— Ontario Autism ProgramProvincial Programs
- Ontario's funded autism services program including behavioral plans, speech, OT, and caregiver supports.
- OESP— Ontario Electricity Support ProgramProvincial Programs
- Monthly credit of $30-$75 on electricity bills for low-income households including those with disability.
- OT— Occupational TherapistMedical & Therapy
- A therapist who helps with daily living skills, fine motor skills, sensory processing, and independence. Not about finding a job — it's about "occupying" your day.
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P
- PDD— Persons with Developmental Disabilities (Alberta)Provincial Programs
- Alberta program providing community supports for adults with developmental disabilities.
- PT— PhysiotherapistMedical & Therapy
- A therapist who helps with movement, strength, balance, and physical function.
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- PROMPT— Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic TargetsMedical & Therapy
- A specialized speech therapy technique that uses touch cues to help the mouth produce sounds. Particularly effective for Down syndrome and motor speech disorders.
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- PWD— Person with a DisabilityDisability & Community
- Preferred language in Canada. "Person first" puts the person before the disability. Some communities prefer "disabled person" — both are acceptable.
R
- RDSP— Registered Disability Savings PlanBenefits & Tax
- Long-term savings plan for people with the DTC. Government matches contributions up to 300%. Up to $90,000 in lifetime grants.
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S
- SSAH— Special Services at Home (Ontario)Provincial Programs
- Ontario funding for respite care and personal support. Up to $3,000-$5,400/year.
- SAID— Saskatchewan Assured Income for DisabilityProvincial Programs
- Saskatchewan income support for people with significant and enduring disabilities.
- SEA— Special Equipment AmountEducation
- Funding for specialized equipment a student needs at school (computer, FM system, standing desk, etc.). Applied through the school board.
- SLP— Speech-Language PathologistMedical & Therapy
- A therapist who helps with speech, language, communication, feeding, and swallowing.
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- SCI— Spinal Cord InjuryDisability & Community
- Damage to the spinal cord resulting in loss of function, movement, or feeling. Can be complete or incomplete.
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- SDM— Supported Decision-MakingLegal & Rights
- An alternative to full guardianship where a person with a disability makes their own decisions with help from trusted supporters. Preferred over guardianship when possible.
T
- T2201— DTC Application FormBenefits & Tax
- The CRA form used to apply for the Disability Tax Credit. Must be signed by a qualified medical practitioner.
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- T21— Trisomy 21Disability & Community
- The medical term for Down syndrome. Three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two.
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U
- UDL— Universal Design for LearningEducation
- Teaching approach that makes learning accessible to all students, not just those with disabilities.
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