Glossary

This page will help if you’ve found a word you don’t understand in the toolkit. Here, we explain words we use that many people don’t know. We’ve arranged the words in alphabetical order. Words that start with “A” come first, then the words that begin with “B”, “C”, and so on.  

A

Accessibility means everyone can easily go to a place, use a service or get information. If something is accessible, people with disabilities can use it just like anyone else. Accessibility is a way to make things fair. It means people don’t miss out because they have a disability. They get to join in, have a say and have their needs met. 

Activism is taking action to support or change important social or political issues. Actions might include challenging people in power to improve human rights. 

Advocate is someone who supports or speaks up for people. They help make sure people’s needs are met and their voices are heard.  

Affirmations are kind, positive things that you say about yourself. Things like: 

• “I can do this.” 
• “I’m worthy of love and respect.” 
• “What I need and want matters.” 
• “I am good enough.” 

AAC Device refers to an Augmentative and Alternative Communication device, which is a tool that allows people to communicate without speaking verbally. It can its own device, or on a tablet or a laptop. People can choose pictures or words to express what they want to say. 

B

Boundaries are rules we set for how we want other people to treat us. Boundaries help us to put our needs first and teach others how to respect our needs. They can be about touch, like saying no to hugging. They can also be about words, like saying no to insults or yelling. When we have boundaries, we say what we won’t do or let others do to us. Setting boundaries can feel difficult, but it can help us be healthy and happy.  

C

CEO (Chief Executive Officer) is the highest ranked employee of a business or organisation. They make big decisions, set goals, and manage how the company or organisation runs.  

Co-design involves working together with people to create or plan something, like a project or product. Everyone involved shares their ideas and helps shape the final design to make sure it meets everyone’s needs. Working in co-design helps to make sure that the people who the project or product is for, are involved in the design and planning of it.   

Co-production involves working together with people to produce work because of the person’s technical skills or subject matter expertise. It involves working together with people who have lived experience. Working in co-production helps to make sure that the people who the project or product is for, are involved in the creation and production of it.   

Core values are the main beliefs or principles that are very important to a person or group. They guide how people behave and make decisions. 

Cultural background means the cultures, practices, traditions and values you grow up with and share with others in your community or family. It includes things like your family’s history, the languages you speak, the holidays you celebrate, and the way you live your life. It helps shape who you are and how you see the world. 

D

Disabilities affect our minds or bodies, like how we move, think, see, hear or learn. People with disabilities might need extra support with these things. Disability is not just about what a person can or cannot do; it’s also about how society is set up. When places, information, or attitudes aren’t accessible to everyone, it creates barriers for people with disabilities. Everyone has the right to be included and to have the same opportunities, regardless of any differences they might have. Disability is a part of diversity.  

Discrimination is when a person or organisation mistreats others because of who they are. They might discriminate against women, people with a different skin colour, or people with disabilities. It is unfair and against the law. Here are some examples of discrimination: 

• People ignore your ideas at work because you are a woman. 
• You can’t get into a shop because you use a wheelchair and the building doesn’t have a ramp. 

Diversity is about the differences in a group. It includes things like the different genders, abilities, backgrounds, families, and cultures people have. We don’t all have to be the same, but things should be fair. Variety makes life interesting! 

E

Ethnicity is the group of people you belong to based on shared culture, language, and beliefs. It includes things like your family traditions and ways of life. 

G

Gender is different to biological sex, which is about physical things like having a penis or vagina. Gender can change. If someone tells you their gender, respect that. The most common genders are woman/girl and man/boy, but many others exist. 

Gender identity is a person’s sense of their gender. It may be different from the way people described them at birth or describe them still. It’s how someone sees themselves and how they feel comfortable. Someone’s gender could be: 

• Man/boy 
• Woman/girl 
• Both man/boy and woman/girl 
• Neither man/boy or woman/girl 
• Another gender entirely.   

Gender-diverse people might not see themselves as either a woman/girl or a man/boy. 

GPS stands for Global Positioning System which is a system that uses signals from satellites in space to help you find your location on Earth. It helps you know where you are and can give directions to help you get to where you want to go. 

H

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that allow us to live decent lives. Rights say what you are allowed to be, do, or have. Everyone has human rights, regardless of ability, race, colour, gender, religion, income or cultural background. No one can take away your rights. 

L

LEAD is a WWDA project that stands for Lead, Engage, Activate, Drive. The LEAD Project aims to promote and advance the leadership, agency, autonomy, human rights and freedoms of women, girls and gender-diverse people with disabilities. 

M

Morale is the feeling of commitment and confidence people have about a task or situation. 

P

Prejudice is having a negative or unfair opinion about someone because of who they are, like if the person has a disability, or their race, gender, or where they come from. It’s when you judge people without knowing them or giving them a fair chance.  

R

Race is a way to describe different groups of people who share similar physical traits such as skin colour, facial features and hair types. 

S

Self-care means looking after yourself and taking time to do something that makes you feel good. Examples include having a cup of tea, watching a movie, talking to a friend, and taking a bath. You should do what feels good to you! 

Self-worth is the feeling that you are valuable and important just as you are. It’s about believing in your own worth and recognising your own value. 

Sexual Orientation is about who you are attracted to. It means who you feel a romantic, physical or emotional connection with, like if you are attracted to people of the same gender, the opposite gender, a different gender, or both. It’s a part of who you are and who you might want to be with.

Stereotype is an idea about a group of people that is often wrong. It’s when you assume that everyone in that group is the same or has certain traits, even if it’s not true. For example, thinking that all people from a certain place act the same way is a stereotype.  

Strength based is focusing on what people do well and building on their skills. Instead of just looking at problems or what needs fixing, it’s about using and developing a person’s existing skills and talents. 

T

Traditional refers to ways of doing things that have been followed for a long time, based on practices passed down through generations. 

W

Wellbeing is a positive way of existing in the world. It means you are healthy and content and have good connections with friends, family and community. If you feel good about yourself and your life, you have wellbeing.   

Women and gender-diverse people. Women With Disabilities Australia is run by and for women, girls, feminine-identifying and non-binary people with disabilities. When we talk about “women and gender-diverse people,” that’s what we mean. If these terms are meaningful to you, this website is for you. WWDA stands for Women With Disabilities Australia an organisation advocating for the rights of women, girls and gender-diverse people with disabilities across Australia.