A11Y – Accessibility
AAA – Area Agency on Aging
AAC – Augmentative Alternative Communication
AAC – Augmentative and Alternative Communication
AAE – Adaptive & Assistive Equipment
AAI – Acuity Assessment Instrument
AAIDD – American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
AAPD – American Association of People with Disabilities
AAPI – Asian/Asian American or Pacific Islander
AARP – American Association for Retired Persons
AAS – Aarskog–Scott Syndrome
AAVE – African American Vernacular English
ABA – Applied Behavioral Analysis
ABA – Architectural Barriers Act
ABD – Aged, Blind, Disabled
ABLE Act– Achieving a Better Life Experience
ACA – Affordable Care Act
ACB – American Council of the Blind 
ACBO – American Council of the Blind of Ohio
ACF – Administration for Children and Families 
ACIL – Access Center for Independent Living
ACLD – Association for Children with Learning Disabilities 
ACOA — Adult Children of Alcoholics
ACRE – Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators 
AD — Alzheimer’s Disease
ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act.
ADAAG – Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines
ADAPT – Americans Disabled for Attendant Programs Today
ADC – Aid to Dependent Children
ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder 
ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 
ADL – Activity of Daily Living 
ADR – Alternative Dispute Resolution
ADRC – Aging & Disability Resource Centers 
AE — Age Equivalent
AFAB – “Assigned female at birth”
AFB – American Foundation for the Blind 
AFDC – Aid to Families with Dependent Children
AFO — Ankle-Foot Orthotics
AFP – Alliance for Full Participation
AG – Attorney General
AGS – Aicardi–Goutières syndrome
AHEAD – Association on Higher Education and Disability
AIDD – Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
AIDS — Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AIM – Accessible Instructional Materials Center
AIT — Auditory Integrated Training
ALS — Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
AMAB – “Assigned male at birth”
AMI – Alliance for the Mentally Ill (national)
AMIOHIO – Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Ohio
ANI – Autism Network International
APA – American Psychological Association 
APE — Adaptive Physical Education
APH – American Printing House for the Blind
APHA – American Public Health Association
APS – Adult Protective Services
APSE – Association of People Supporting Employment First  
APSI – Advocacy and Protective Services Inc.
ARC – The Arc of Ohio
AS – Asperger syndrome
ASA – Autism Society of America 
ASC – Ambulatory Surgery Center
ASCII – American Standard Code for Information Interchange
ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorder
ASL – American Sign Language
ASLHA – American Speech – Language Hearing Association
AT – Assistive Technology
AT Ohio – Assistive Technology of Ohio
ATA – Alliance for Technology Access 
ATA&EM Center – Assistive Technology & Accessible Educational Materials Center of OCALI
AU – Advocacy United
AUCD – Association of University Centers on Disabilities 

BBS – Bardet-Biedl syndrome
BCBA – Board Certified Behavior Analyst
BCCP – Breast and Cervical Cancer Project
BCI – Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
BD – Binswanger’s disease
BEH — Behaviorally/Emotionally Handicapped
BH — Behaviorally Handicapped
BHPP – Bureau of Health Plan Policy
BIAOH – Brain Injury Association of Ohio
BIPOC -Black, Indigenous, and (other) People of Color
BLTCF – Bureau of Long Term Care Facilities
BMC – Bureau of Managed Care
BMD – Becker’s muscular dystrophy
BP – Benefits Planning 
BRRS – Bannayan–Riley–Ruvalcaba syndrome
BrS – Brugada syndrome
BS – Bloom syndrome
BSS – Brown-Séquard syndrome
BSVI – Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (OOD)
BT – Behavior Technician
BVR – Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (OOD)
BWC – Bureau of Workers Compensation
BWE – Blind Work Expense (SSA)

CAC – Community Advisory Committee 
CA — Chronological Age
CAPD — Central Auditory Processing Disorder
CARF – Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
CAST – Center for Applied Special Technology
CBA – Community Based Assessment (DRS) 
CBDD – County Board of Developmental Disabilities
CD – Communication Disorder 
CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
CDJFS – County Department of Job and Family Services
CDR – Continuing Disability Review (SSA) 
CEC – Council for Exceptional Children 
CF — Cystic Fibrosis
CFC – Covered Families and Children
CFR – Code of Federal Regulations
CFS — Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
CHADD – Children & Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder 
CHD — Congenital Hip Dysplasia
CHD — Congenital Heart Disease
CHIP – Children’s Health Insurance Program 
CHOP – Change of Operator/Provider
CIL – Center for Independent Living 
CMS – Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
CMV — Cytomegalovirus Infection
CNCS – Corporation for National and Community Service
COA — Children of Alcoholic Parents
COB – Coordination of Benefits
CON – Certificate of Need (DHHR) 
COTA — Certified Occupational Therapist
CP – Cerebral Palsy 
CPR — Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation
CPT – Current Procedural Terminology
CRC – Certified Rehabilitation Counselor 
CRP – Community Rehabilitation Program 
CSHCN – Children with Special Health Care Needs 
CWIC – Community Work Incentives Coordinator Specialist (WIPA Project)

DBTAC – Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center 
DD Act – The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, PUBLIC LAW 106-402 
DD – Developmental Disability/Developmentally Delayed
DDC – Developmental Disabilities Council 
DDD – Division/Department of Developmental Disabilities
DEAI – Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion
DEIA – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
DEIB – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging 
DH — Developmentally Handicapped
DHHS – Department of Health and Human Services
DME – Durable Medical Equipment
DODD – Department of Developmental Disabilities
DOE – U.S. Department of Education or U.S. Department of Energy
DOI – U.S. Department of the Interior
DOJ – U.S. Department of Justice
DOL – U.S. Department of Labor
DOS – Date of Service
DOT – U.S. Department of Transportation
DREDF – Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
DRG – Diagnosis Related Group
DRO – Disability Rights Ohio
DS – Down Syndrome
DSL – Digital Subscriber Line
DSP -Direct Support Professional
DX — Diagnosis

E&IT – Electronic and Information Technology
EBD – Emotional/Behavioral Disorder/Disability 
EC – Early Childhood 
ECSE — Early Childhood Special Education
ECT – Electroconvulsive Therapy
ED – U.S. Department of Education
EDI – Electronic Data Interchange
EDIJ –  Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Justice
EDMS – Electronic Data Management System
EEO – Equal Employment Opportunity
EEOC – Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
EHR – Electronic Health Record
EI — Early Intervention
ELL – English Language Learner
EN – Employment Network for Ticket to Work (SSA) 
EOB – Explanation of Benefits
EPE – Extended Period of Eligibility (SSA) 
EPSDT – Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment
ESL – English as a Second Language
EXR – Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits (SSA) 

F&S – Feeding & Swallowing 
F2F – Family to Family 
FAE — Fetal Alcohol Effect
FAPE – Free Appropriate Public Education 
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
FAS — Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
FBA – Functional Behavioral Assessment
FBR – Federal Benefit Rate (SSA)
FC – Facilitated Communication
FCC – Family Centered Care
FCC – Federal Communications Commission
FDA – Food and Drug Administration 
FERPA – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act 
FES — Functional Electrical Stimulation
FFS – Fee-for-Service
FI – Fiscal Intermediary
FMLA – Family Medical Leave Act
FNS — Functional Neuromuscular Stimulation
FOIA – Freedom of Information Act 
FPL – Federal Poverty Level
FPS – Family Planning Services
FQHC – Federally Qualified Health Center
FRN – Family Resource Network 
FSP — Family Support Plan
FXS- Fragile X Syndrome

GEI – Bloomberg Gender Equality Index
GIE – General Income Exclusion (SSA)
GSD – Gender and Sexual Diversity

HASCI – Head and Spinal Cord Injury 
HBCU – Historically Black Colleges and Universities
HCB – Home and Community-Based Waiver Services (MR/DD and A/D) 
HCBS – Home and Community Based Services 
HCO – Hearing Carry-Over
HEDIS – Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set
HFA – High Functioning Autism 
HH – Hard of Hearing 
HHS – Health and Human Services
HHTL – Hospital Handbook Transmittal Letters
HI – Hearing Impaired
HIPAA – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 
HIV — Human ImmunoDeficiency Virus
HME – Home Medical Equipmen
HMO – Health Maintenance Organization 
HOH – Hard of Hearing 
HOME Choice – Helping Ohioans Move, Expanding Choice
HR – Human Resources
HRSA – Health Resources and Services Administration
HTML – HyperText Markup Languague
HUD – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

I&R – Information and Referral 
I&D –  Inclusion and Diversity 
IBD — Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
ICD – Internal Classification of Diseases
ICDS – Integrated Care Delivery System
ID – Intellectual Disability
IDDRC – Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center 
IDEA – Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility
IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
IDEIA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
IED — Intermittent Explosive Disorder
IEP – Individualized Education Plan
IFL – Identity-First Language
IFSP – Individualized Family Service Plan 
ILC — Independent Living Center
ILST – Independent Living Skills Training
IQ — Intelligence Quotient
IRWE – Impairment Related Work Expense (SSA)
ISP – Individualized Service Plan 
IT – Information Technology
IVR – Interactive Voice Response System
IWD – Individual with Disability 
IWP – Individual Work Plan (SSA)

JAN – Job Accommodation Network 
JC – Job Coaching
JEDI –  Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 

K-12 – Kindergarten through 12th Grade (United States)
KTW — Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome

LBPH – Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped 
LD – Learning Disability 
LDA – Learning Disabilities Association 
LEA – Local Education Agency 
LEAH – Learning Education in Adolescent Health 
LEND – Leadership in Neurodevelopment and Related Disabilities 
LFA – Low Functioning Autism
LGBTQIA+ – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and Limitless Possibility
LISW- Licensed Independent Social Worker
LKS — Landau-Kleffler Syndrome
LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor 
LRE – Least Restrictive Environment 
LST – Life Skills Training
LSW – Licensed Social Worker 
LTC – Long-Term Care

MA — Mental Age
MA – Medical Assistance (Medicaid) 
MAL – Medical Assistance Letter
MBD – Minimal Brain Dysfunction 
MBI – Medicaid Buy-In
MBIWD – Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities
MCH — Maternal and Child Health
MCHB – Maternal and Child Health Bureau
MCP – Managed Care Plan
MCS — Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
MD – Muscular Dystrophy 
MDET – Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team 
MEM – Medicaid Eligibility Manual
MENA – Middle Eastern and North African
MH – Mental Health 
MHTL – Medicaid Handbook Transmittal Letter
MI – Mental Illness 
MITS – Medicaid Information Technology System
MMH – Mild-Moderate Mentally Impaired 
MPAP – Medicaid Premium Assistance Program
MPIP – Medicaid Provider Incentive Program
MS – Multiple Sclerosis 
MSDD — Multi-Sensory Developmental Delays
MSY – Multi-System Youth

NACDD – National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
NADS — National Association for Down Syndrome
NAS — Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
NB, NBi – Nonbinary Identities 
NCA – National Center on Accessibility
NCAC – National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum
NCD – National Council on Disability
NCDDR – National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research 
NCHS – National Center for Health Statistics
NCHSD – National Consortium for Health Systems Development 
NCIL – National Council on Independent Living 
NCLB – No Child Left Behind 
ND – Neurodivergent
NDRN – National Disability Rights Network
NDSC — National Down Syndrome Congress
NDSS — National DS Society
NEA — National Education Association
NEC*TAS — National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Systems
NET – Non-Emergency Transportation
NF – Nursing Facility
NICHQ – National Initiative for Childrens’ Healthcare Quality 
NICHY — National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
NICU — Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
NIDRR – National Institute of Disabilities and Rehabilitation Research
NIH – National Institutes for Health 
NIMAC – National Instructional Materials Access Center
NIMAS – National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard
NLD — Nonverbal Learning Disability
NORD — National Organization for Rare Disorders
NPIN — National Parent Information Network
NPND — National Parent Network on Disabilities
NPPSIS — National Parent to Parent Support & Information Systems, Inc.
NSIP – National Service Inclusion Project 
NT – Neurotypical
NTD — Neural Tube Defect

o4a – Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging
OAC – Ohio Administrative Code
OACB – Ohio Association of County Boards
OCD — Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
ODD — Oppositional Defiant Disorder
ODDC – Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council
ODEP – Office of Disability Employment Policy
ODJFS – Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
ODM – Ohio Department of Medicaid 
OFCCP – Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
OHI — Other Health Impairments
OI — Osteogenesis Imperfecta
OOTF – Ohio Olmstead Task Force
ORC – Ohio Revised Code
OSDA – Ohio Self Determination Association
OSE – Office of Special Education (DOE) 
OSEP – Office of Special Education Programs (US Department of Education) 
OSERS – Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (US Department of Education) 
OSP – Office of Sponsored Programs 
OSS – Office of Social Services 
OT – Occupational Therapy/Therapist 

P&A – Protection and Advocacy 
PA – Prior Authorization
PABSS – Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security 
PACE – Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
PACER – Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights 
PAS/PC – Personal Assistance Services or Personal Care 
PASS – Plan for Achieving Self-Support (SSA) 
PASSPORT – Pre-Admission Screening System Providing Options and Resources Today
PBS – Positive Behavior Support 
PCA – Personal Care Attendant/Assistant
PCES – Personal Care Employment Support Services 
PDD – Pervasive Developmental Disorder 
PDD/NOS — Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified
PDF – Portable Document Format
PDN – Private Duty Nursing
PE — Physical Education
PERC – Parent-Educator Resource Center 
PESS – Property Essential for Self-Support (SSA) 
PFL – Person-First Language
PHN — Public Health Nurse
PHS – Public Health Service 
PI — Physically Impaired
PIA – Programs for Individuals with Autism 
PIT – Program Intervention Technician
PKU — Phenylketonuria
PL — Public Law
PL 105-15 – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 (formerly PL 101-476) 
PL 105-17 – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997
PL 101-476 – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 (formerly PL 94-142 and 99-457) 
PL 94-142 — Education of Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (now PL 101-476)
PL 99-457 — Education of the Handicapped Amendment of 1986 (now PL 101-476)
PL – Public Law 
PM&R — Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
PNP – Parent Network Project 
PNS – Parent Network Specialists
PPAC – Pharmacy Pricing and Audit Consultant
PPC – Pediatric Pulmonary Center 
PPS — Post Polio Syndrome
PRN (pro re nata) – Latin for “as the situation demands” or “as needed.”
Provision 1619 a & b – Extended Medicaid coverage while working (SSA) 
PRS – Pregnancy-Related Services
PSA – Public Service Announcement
PT — Physical Therapy
PWS — Prader-Willi Syndrome

QIDP – Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional

RAC – Recovery Audit Contractor
RCEP – Regional Continuing Education Program 
RESA – Regional Educational Service Agency 
RESNA – Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America
RHC – Rural Health Clinic
ROP — Retinopathy of Prematurity
RRTC – Rehabilitation Research and Training Center 
RSA – Rehabilitation Services Administration
RSD — Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
RSDI – Retirement Survivors Disability Insurance (SSA) 

SABE – Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered
SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 
SBS — Shaken Baby Syndrome
SCHIP – State Children’s Health Insurance Program
SCI – Spinal Cord Injury 
SCSHCN – Services for Children with Special Health Care Needs 
SD — Standard Deviation
SE — Signed English
SE – Supported Employment 
SEA — State Education Act or State Education Agency
Section 503/504 — Sections of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
SEE — Signing Exact English
SELN – State Employment Leadership Network 
SFC – Specialized Family Care 
SGA – Substantial Gainful Activity 
SI — Sensory Integration
SIDS — Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
SILC – Statewide Independent Living Council 
SIS — Shaken Infant Syndrome
SL -Supported Living
SLD — Specific Learning Disability
SLP – Speech and Language Pathology/Pathologist
SLT – Speech/Language Therapy/Therapist 
SMA — Spinal Muscular Atrophy
SMIL – Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language
SN — Special Needs
SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps) 
SPBM – Single Pharmacy Benefit Manager
SPED — Special Education or Special Education Teacher
SSA – Service and Support Administrator
SSA – Social Security Administration 
SSDI – Social Security Disability Income, SSA Title II/T2 
SSI – Supplemental Security Income, SSA Title XVI/T16 
ST – Speech Therapy 
STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
STS – Speech-To-Speech
SW – Sheltered Work/Workshop 
SW — Social Worker
SWD – Students With Disabilities
SWS — Sturge-Weber Syndrome

TBI — Traumatic Brain Injury
TDD — Telecommunication Device for the Deaf
TMH — Trainable Mentally Handicapped
TMR — Trainable Mentally Retarded
TS — Tourette Syndrome
TA – Technical Assistance 
TANF -Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 
TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury 
TDD – Telecommunication Device for the Deaf 
Title II – Section of the SSA Act dealing with SSDI 
Title XIV – Section of the SSA Act dealing with SSI 
Title XIX – Section of the SSA Act dealing with Medicaid 
TPR – Timely Progress Review (SSA) 
TRS – Telecommunications Relay Services
TT – Text Telephone 
TTW – Ticket To Work (SSA) 
TTY – Teletype writer or text telephone (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired)
TWE – Trial Work Experience (DRS) 
TWP – Trial Work Period (SSA) 

UCEDD – University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities 
UCP – United Cerebral Palsy 
UD – Universal Design
UDL – Universal Design for Learning
UG – Underrepresented Groups
URM – Underrepresented Minority

V – Voice (commonly used in conjunction with TTY as V/TTY)
VCFS — Velo-Cardio-Facial-Syndrome
VCO – Voice Carry-Over
VE — Vocational Education
VI — Visual Impairment
VR — Vocational Rehabilitation
VRS – Video Relay Services
VSD — Ventral Septal Defect

W3C – World Wide Web Consortium
WAI – Web Accessibility Initiative
WAT – Work Adjustment Training (DRS) 
WCAG – Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
WI – Work Incentives 
WIPA – Work Incentive Planning and Assistance Project 
WOTC – Work Opportunity Tax Credit 
WS — Waivered Services

YLF – Youth Leadership Forum
YTD – Youth Transition Demonstration (SSA)