Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) recently launched the first phase of a major initiative to allow all visitors, students, faculty and staff with disabilities equal access to the university’s building and resources.
GU-Q is focusing on improving accessibility and inclusivity of programmes, classrooms, study and testing spaces, events and course content. Significant additions to the library’s space and IT resources, place Georgetown’s library as the first academic library that is also open to the public in Qatar to be completely accessible to visitors with physical, visual or hearing impairments. The changes include the introduction of larger computer screens and enlargement software for those with sight impairment, as well as scanning and reading devices that will allow visually impaired visitors to hear their chosen book, magazine or any printed text through headphones. Currently, faculty and staff are undergoing training for the newly launched assistive technology software. Both the software and the training are provided by Mada (Qatar Assistive Technology Centre). “Whether it is through assistive technologies that allow people with physical, hearing, visual or learning disabilities to gain access to our library collection of over 50,000 publications, or through our building design that allows access to anyone in a wheelchair, Georgetown is committed to ensuring that every guest and member of Qatari society has the opportunity to pursue personal development, and become an important contributor to Qatar’s national development goals,” said GU-Q’s learning and disabilities specialist Dr Candice Render. Dr Render together with colleagues, Steven Heath and Clair Wait in Facilities Management, Frieda Wiebe, director of the Library, Maya Primorac, director of Events and Protocol, and Moamer Qazafi, director of Communications, is responsible for organising the recent accessibility changes on campus.