| A | |
| Accommodation | A change or adjustment to the work environment which permits a person with a disability to apply for a job, perform the essential functions of the job, and enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment. |
| ADA | The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 - Federal legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability. |
| Adaptive Skills | Skills needed by students that facilitate community integration and independence. |
| ADD/ADHD | Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Disorder Hyperactivity |
| Adult Services | Refers to the many agencies and programs that are provided to adults with specific needs such as |
| Advocacy | Speaking on behalf of another person or group of persons. |
| Advocate | Someone who takes action to help someone else. |
| Age of Majority | The age that the state has determined a person is allowed to make decisions on their own (usually 18) unless determined incompetent to do so by a court of law. |
| Allies | Groups or individuals who believe in the same thing you or your group who will stand by you. An ally may not believe in every thing that you believe in, but they will band together with you on the issues you both care about. Your allies also believe in you as a person or group. |
| Ancillary Staff | Staff who provide services that are specially designed to meet the unique needs of a student with a disability through age 25. |
| Annual Goals | A set of general statements that represent expected achievement over a year's time for a student with a disability enrolled in special education programs and services. |
| AP | Alternate Participants |
| APE | Adapted Physical Education |
| Appeal | To make a request for a change of a decision. |
| Apprenticeships | Periods of part-time work experience that may extend a year or more, usually associated with a specific occupation. |
| Aptitudes | The particular strengths, knowledge, or skills that a person has, generally related to an occupation or career. |
| Assistive Technology | Any item, piece of equipment or product that is used to assist, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a person. |
| Audiologist | A person who is qualified to assess a person's hearing and provide interventions to improve it. |
| AUT | Autistic |