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Ableism - This term refers to the belief in the superiority of able-bodied people over disabled people.

Aboriginal approach to social work - The development of an Aboriginal approach to social work practice should be consistent with four key principles. These principles are: (1) the recognition of a distinct Aboriginal worldview; (2) the development of Aboriginal consciousness regarding the impact of colonialism; (3) an emphasis on the importance of cultural knowledge and traditions; (4) utilizing the concept of Aboriginal empowerment.

Aboriginal empowerment - In the context of social work, Aboriginal empowerment emphasizes the participation of community members in promoting self-determination and social change.

Aboriginal peoples - Individuals who have Native origins. It is a term commonly used to refer to Indians, Inuit and Métis in Canada. Aboriginal peoples have their own names for themselves in their respective languages: Anishnaabe, Inuit, Innu, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Métis.

Aboriginal political activism - A surge of Aboriginal political activism, beginning in the 1970s, has led to the development of several national organizations representing and uniting distinct constituent groups. Among these are: (1) the Assembly of First Nations, which represents status Indians who reside on Indian reserves across Canada; (2) the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, representing Canada's Inuit population; (3) the Métis National Council; (4) the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, representing off-reserve Aboriginal peoples; and (5) the Native Women's Association of Canada.

Aboriginal self-government - Quite simply, the concept expresses the desire of Aboriginal peoples to control their destiny. It precludes accountability to the provincial and federal governments in favour of accountability and responsibility to the Aboriginal peoples by their own Aboriginal leaders. Self-government is concerned with sovereignty in relation to the Canadian state- within it or outside it, depending on one's view.

Aboriginal worldview - While Aboriginal peoples do not have one single philosophy or worldview, one can draw upon the fundamental differences between Western Euro-Canadian and Aboriginal worldviews. For example, the concept of the circle captured in the Medicine Wheel illustrates the notion of balance prevalent in Aboriginal societies, in contrast to the typically linear models of cause and effect common in some Western societies.

Absolute poverty - A definition of poverty that looks at the minimum income required for physical survival.

Accessibility - One of five principles of Medicare in Canada. This means there must be a wide range of services, accessible services, and a reduction or elimination of user fees. Each province is required to provide health care with reasonable access both financial and geographic. This applies to ward care in a hospital, free choice of a physician, reasonable compensation to physicians and adequate payments to hospitals.

Addiction - Addiction can be defined as a compulsive need for, or persistent use of, a substance known to be harmful.

AH-HAH Method - An approach to popular education that intends to help people see how local problems are influenced by larger societal level structures. It refers to the experience people have when they understand clearly for the first time something they knew in a partial or confused way.

Ambiguity of social work - This refers to the dilemmas faced by social workers in the social work relationship. While social workers are helpers, they are also expected to enforce rules and regulations in the helping relationship with the client.

Anger-control theory - This theory focuses on the idea that men must be held accountable for their violent behaviour and learn to deal with and control their tempers, showing their feelings in more appropriate ways.

Anti-racist social work - Racism is the subordination of one group by another using arbitrary physical features such as skin colour. It can occur at the individual, institutional or societal levels in the form of attitudes, beliefs, policies or procedures. Anti-racist social work is an approach to practice that aggressively combats racism on all three levels.

Approaches to social work practice - The generalist approach and structural approach are common approaches to social work practice in Canada. A body of knowledge or theoretical base informs each approach to practice. Think of knowledge as a collection of beliefs and ideas. These take the form of concepts and propositions about reality. A theory then combines these concepts and propositions into a coherent picture of reality. Finally, a model or approach takes the theory and moulds it into a visual or metaphoric representation of the theory or theories.

Assessment and planning - The process of developing an understanding of the presenting problem and a plan of action. It will include different elements and emphasis depending on the perspective or approach of the social worker.

Assimilationist policies - The policy of the federal government towards Aboriginal people that attempted to deny and destroy Aboriginal life, culture and society in favour of integrating Canada's First Nations into the mainstream. The policy was pursued vigorously and viciously in the residential schools.

Average income deficiency - A measure of poverty that shows how much additional income would be required to raise an individual or household above Statistics Canada's low-income cut-off.

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