Adaptive Library Services


Welcome to QNL’s Adaptive Library Services Subject Guide!
 

Adaptive Library Services at QNL aim to help people with special needs meet their individual information needs by providing easy to use interfaces for a multitude of online services and applications. Please refer to the Online Resources and For People with Special Needs sections of the website for more information on these services and applications.

This guide provides an overview of recommended QNL collections on adaptive library services, such as databases, books, journals, reference and other resources, printed or digital, that are accessible through different websites and platforms

For study or general reference questions and further assistance on how to find relevant materials for your information needs, please feel free to contact us through the Ask QNL Librarians service.

 

Databases

The Library's online databases are intended to provide videos, images, and sounds that can be used in articles, presentations and other academic projects, or which have scholarly value for research and classroom instruction purposes. 
 

RBdigital – Audiobooks
This English-only digital audiobook database allows users to download audiobooks to any iPod, iPhone, iPad, or computer running a Windows or Macintosh operating system. The collection of approximately 6,100 items includes genres such as popular general fiction, literary fiction, science fiction, classic fiction, mystery, biography and creative non-fiction. After you sign into your Qatar National Library account, you will be redirected to the OneClickDigital website. The first time you visit the site, you will need to create an account.

BookFlix – Video storybooks
Read along with online video storybooks for preschoolers through grade 3, then try games and activities to show what you’ve learned.

OverDrive – Ebooks
OverDrive provides popular ebooks for most devices and operating systems, including PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android and Nook.

TruFlix – Books and videos
View online science and social studies books and videos for grades 3–6, then try games and activities to show what you’ve learned.

Print Books

Below is a list of recommended books on adaptive library services. For more books, search the QNL Catalog.

Cattaneo, Z. & Vecchi, T. (2011). Blind Vision: The Neuroscience of Visual Impairment. Massachusetts: MIT Press.
Call number: RE91 .C38 2011
This book presents an investigation of the effects and relationships of visual impairment to the cognitive system of a blind person.

Ferrel, K. A. (2011). Reach Out and Teach: Helping Your Child Who Is Visually Impaired Learn and Grow. New York: AFB Press. 
Call Number: HV1626 .F47 2011
Ferrel provides positive ideas and recommendations for parents of children with visual disabilities.

Green, R. A. & Blaire, V. (2011). Keep It Simple: A Guide to Assistive Technologies. California: ABC-CLIO, LLC.
Call Number: Z711.92 .H3 G74 2011
This book offers strategic techniques for libraries to serve people with special needs.

MacMillan, K. (2006). Try Your Hands at This: Easy Ways to Incorporate Sign Language Into Your Program. Maryland: Scarecrow Press.
Call number: Z711.92 .D4 M33 2006
MacMillan offers ideas on how to incorporate American Sign Language (ASL) into the classroom and library programs for the deaf and hearing-impaired.

Pullin, Graham. (2009). Design Meets Disability. Massachusetts: MIT Press.
Call Number: NK1110 .P85 2009
Pullin presents accessible designs for every disability to improve the lives of people with special needs.

Ebooks

Below is a list of recommended ebooks on Adaptive Library Services. For more ebooks, search the QNL Catalog.

Seale, J. (2014). E-learning and Disability in Higher Education: Accessibility Research and Practice. New York: Rutledge Pub.
Seal’s fully updated book focuses on research that seeks to give 'voice' to students with special needs in a way that provides an indispensable insight into their relationships with the technologies and institutions in which they study.

Gabel, S. I. & Connor, D. J. (2014). Disability and Teaching. New York: Rutledge Pub.
This book is designed to engage prospective and practicing teachers by examining their personal theories and beliefs about disability and education.

Jeppson-Grassman, E. & Whitaker, A. (2013). Ageing with Disability: A Lifecourse Perspective. Chicago: Policy Press.
This is the first book to address the issue of aging after a long life with a disability. It breaks new ground through its particular lifecourse perspective, examining what it means to age with a physical or mental disability.

Zand, D. H. & Pierce, K. J. (2011). Resilience in Deaf Children: Adaptation Through Emerging Adulthood. New York: Springer Science & Business Media.
This book emphasizes not only the capability of deaf individuals to withstand adversity, but also their positive adaptation through interactions with parents, peers, school and community.

O’Reilly, A. (2007). Right to Decent Work of Persons with Disabilities. Washington, DC.: International Labour Office.
This book provides an invaluable overview of the principal international legal instruments, policies and initiatives for the rights of people with special needs. It focuses on the different options available to people with special needs who wish to work in open and competitive employment, sheltered employment, supported employment, and social enterprise.

E-journals

Journal of Assistive Technologies
This quarterly journal contains articles, debates, definitions and concepts about ethics, policy, legislation and issues around assistive technology use. Content focuses on how people use assistive and enabling technologies, rather than solely the technology, with the aim of raising awareness of available technologies and their uses for a wide and varied readership.

Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness
This monthly international peer-reviewed journal of record in the field delivers current research and best practice information, commentary from authoritative experts on critical topics, news, and a calendar of important events.

American Journal of Audiology
This quarterly, online-only, international, peer-reviewed scholarly journal has been published since 1991.

Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development
This journal accepts original manuscripts from the US and international researchers in more than 30 different topic areas, synthesizing therapeutic physical, behavioral, technical and pharmaceutical agents aimed at providing state-of-the-art research to assist veterans and adults with chronic illnesses and special needs. JRRD content is medically relevant to scientists, physicians, clinicians, therapists and the layperson. JRRD reaches nearly every country around the world and its content (including legacy) is fully accessible for free to anyone with an internet connection.

Organizations and Associations

The Qatar Society 
The Qatar Society promotes the social, mental, academic and healthy rehabilitation of people with special needs in society commensurate with the Islamic principles, traditions and customs of Qatari society, as well as its urban and humanitarian development.

Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs
The Shafallah Center was established in 1999 at the behest of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser to provide comprehensive services to children with disabilities. The Shafallah Center is a non-profit, private institution, serving as a model for the provision of special education, therapeutic and healthcare support services for children with disabilities from birth to adulthood.

Mada Assistive Technology Center
Mada is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting people with special needs to the world of information and communication technology.

HOPE Qatar
HOPE Qatar is a not-for-profit training center for children with special needs who have mild to moderate disabilities with manageable behavioral problems.

Deaf Unity
Deaf Unity works with those supporting and empowering deaf communities worldwide, whether on an individual basis or at an organizational level.

Definitely Able
Definitely Able is an initiative created by Sasol, in collaboration with local partners, to champion the positive benefits of sport, art, music and education in empowering people with special needs to find their place in society.

DAISY Consortium
The DAISY Consortium is a global partnership of organizations that are committed to creating best practices for reading and publishing.

Quotes


Braille is knowledge, and knowledge is power.”
Louis Braille

“The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but no vision.”
Helen Keller

“Music is like a dream. One that I cannot hear.”
Ludwig van Beethoven