ADL

ADL is an acronym with multiple meanings in different domains. It is most commonly associated with the Anti-Defamation League, a civil rights organization, and with activities of daily living, a medical term describing essential self-care tasks. Other uses exist in technology and engineering.

Anti-Defamation League: Established in 1913 by B'nai B'rith, the ADL aims to stop the defamation of Jewish people and to secure civil rights for all citizens. The organization conducts research, education, legal advocacy, and community programs to combat antisemitism, bigotry, and extremism. It operates primarily in the United States but maintains international offices and partnerships, and it is funded by a combination of donations, grants, and corporate supporters.

Activities of Daily Living: ADLs refer to basic self-care tasks that are needed for daily functioning. They are typically divided into basic ADLs (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, feeding) and instrumental ADLs (IADLs) such as managing finances, transportation, shopping, meal preparation, communication, and medication management. Clinicians assess ADLs to gauge a person’s level of independence and to plan care, rehabilitation, or long-term support. Assessments influence decisions about assistance needs, housing, and eligibility for services.

Other uses in technology and engineering include Architecture Description Language, a formal language used to describe the architecture of software-intensive systems. Because the acronym ADL spans diverse fields, the intended meaning depends on context.