How to use the QDRN Library

What is the QDRN Library?

The Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN) Disability Research Library lives on the QDRN Hub. It showcases open-access, peer-reviewed Queensland disability research from the last five years. Every item has:

• A short plain-language summary
• An accessible Word version of that summary
• A video summary with captions
• A link to the full journal article (when available)

The plain language summaries are intended to increase the accessibility of academic disability research and amplify engagement for a broader audience.

How to use the Library

Searching articles:

• Search: Type a few words in “Search Article Title.” Type a word from the title (e.g., “Autism,” “employment,” “stroke”).
• Filter: Open “Filter by Key Research Themes” to choose topics aligned with the Queensland Disability. Research Agenda. Click and tick the topics of interest (e.g., “Support Systems,” “Identifying Barriers”).
• Reset: Click “Reset Filters” to see everything again.
• Under the article preview cards there are page numbers 1, 2, 3, Next. Click "Next" to go forward and the numbers to jump to a page.

Reading a summary:

Click the picture or the title on any article preview card to open it. Inside each page will be the plain language summary with four simple headings:

• Why the study was done;
• What the study did;
• What the study found; and
• What this means

Watching the video:

• Many summaries include a short video with captions. To enlarge the video, click on the window button on the bottom right hand corner.

Accessible Word version:

• There is an “Accessible Word summary” available for download on the right hand side of the plain language summary.

Reading the full study:

• There is a “Full journal article link” on the right hand side of the plain language summary.

How to submit an article for consideration

Who can submit?

• Anyone can suggest a resource for the Library (the QDRN editorial team reviews every suggestion).

What kind of resources are included?

• Open-access journal articles, research reports, literature reviews, conference proceedings, co-produced/participatory research, and accessible formats (e.g., easy-read, plain language, audio/video explainers).

What happens after you submit?

• The QDRN editorial team checks the submission alignment with the disability library scope, inclusive language, and accessibility (WCAG 2.2 where possible).
• If the full text isn’t open access, the QDRN editorial team may seek permission from the publisher and advise the author know as a courtesy.
• If accepted, the QDRN editorial team will post the summary on the Library with a citation and link to the full article.