This research guide has been created to help students, faculty and anyone else doing research on disabilities. Simply click on the links below to find information on how to find books, journal articles and more!
Find books about disabilities?
By using COAST- The CSULB Library's online catalog! COAST is the way you check for books and other items that the library owns. Here are some helpful searches you can try in COAST to find topics related to disabilities!
| Using the KEYWORD search, type in: |
| Disability studies |
| Independent living |
| Specific disabilities, such as: Visual impairment, deafness, spinal cord injury, etc. |
| Using the SUBJECT search, type in: |
| People with disabilities |
| Disability evaluation |
| Sociology of disability |
| Discrimination against people with disabilities |
| Barrier-free design |
AFB Directory of Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Persons in the United States and Canada
REF HV 1791.A537 1997 (accompanying CD-ROM is packaged separately with the same call number)
Lists federal and local government programs as well as state and regional nonprofit services.
Caring for Kids with Special Needs: Residential Programs for Children and Adolescents
REF HV 863.C35 1993
Directory of care and treatment facilities for children with physical, mental, behavioral, and/or educational disabilities.
Dictionary of Mental Handicap
REF HV 3004.L35 1989
Entries include definitions for hundreds of terms related to the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Some entries include bibliographic information for further research.
The Early Intervention Dictionary: A Multidisciplinary Guide to Terminology
REF HV 891.C63 1999
In addition to defining hundreds of terms related to the diagnosis and treatment of childhood disabilities, this dictionary includes a variety of growth and development charts, as well as nutritional and immunization guides.
The Encyclopedia of Deafness and Hearing Disorders
REF RF 290.T93 2000
Includes more than 600 brief entries, written in non-technical language, related to the physical and psychological treatment of hearing disorders. Also includes an appendix of resources and services for people with hearing disorders.
Encyclopedia of Special Education
REF LC 4007.E53 2000 (3 vols)
Contains hundreds of brief entries on topics and people related to special education, including accessible design. All entries include a bibliography for further research.
Resources for People with Disabilities: A National Directory
REF HV 1553.R48 1998 (2 vols)
In addition to a list of federal, local, and nonprofit resources for people with disabilities, this directory includes definitions and suggested practices for equal access and accessible design.
Special Education: A Reference Handbook
REF LC 3981.S33 2001
This brief handbook contains definitions, analysis, and resources for a wide variety of topics related to special education, including legal issues, assessment, curriculum development, and advocacy.
Use the following databases to help you find journal articles related to disabilities. For a complete A-Z list (with descriptions) of all the research databases at the CSULB Library, please click HERE.
Academic Search Complete
General subject database containing indexing and abstracts for nearly 3,000 journals, with many dating back to 1984. Academic Search Complete also provides full-text of articles for over 1,200 journals, with some dating back to 1990. Updated continuously.
ERIC
Good source for references to journal articles and documents on the educational aspects of disability. References to thousands of educational topics. Coverage is 1966 to date. Updated monthly.
MEDLINE
Produced by the National Library of Medicine, this database contains scholarly journal articles covering all areas of medicine, including disabling diseases and conditions. Coverage is 1951 to date, and the database is updated daily.
PsycInfo
Good source for articles related to all areas of psychology, including psychological disorders. Covers nearly 1300 current journals, some from as early as 1887. Updated quarterly.
Social Sciences Abstracts
This database contains citations and abstracts from more than 400 sources, including sociology, anthropology, economics, and law journals. With coverage from 1983 to date, Social Sciences Abstracts is a good place to look for analysis and research on disabilities from a scholarly perspective.
Social Services Abstracts
Social Services Abstracts contains citations and abstracts for articles related to social work and human services, including social welfare, health care, and social policy. Coverage is from 1980 to date.
Sociological Abstracts
A well known and popular database providing international coverage on Sociology topics as well as related disciplines in the social & behavioral sciences. Coverage is 1963 to the present.
These internet sites have the "seal of approval" from the Family and Consumer Sciences Librarian, and may be a useful starting point to do web research.
California Business Leadership Network
CABLN represents California employers interested in hiring people with disabilities. The site features announcements, articles, best practices, and disability-specific resources which focus on employment-related issues.
Independence First
IndependenceFirst provides resources and advocacy for people with disabilities. Although the group primarily serves the Milwaukee area, this site offers a number of useful resources for non-Wisconsin residents.
Disability Resources, Inc.
Published by Disability Resources Monthly, this site offers helpful articles and resources for people living with disabilities. The site also features the DRM WebWatcher, an extensive index to hundreds of internet sites related to disabilities.
Independent Living Institute
Based in Sweden, this site offers a virtual library of resources, articles, and links designed to help people with disabilities live independently. Some articles are in Swedish, but most are available in English.
IL Net (Independent Living Resource Database)
Published by the Independent Living Research Utilization group, IL Net offers news and resources related to independent living. The site features a searchable database of independent living information, as well as a free independent living coaching service.
Center for an Accessible Society
The Center for an Accessible Society functions as a clearinghouse for disability resources and information. Their website offers current news and resources designed to promote accurate information about “national disability policy and independent living issues.”
National Center on Physical Activity and Disability
The mission of the NCPAD is to promote physical fitness and health for people with disabilities by offering information and resources. The NCPAD website offers news, research, opinion columns, and photographs related to physical activity and disabilities.
National Organization on Disability
The NOD promotes full social and economic participation for people with disabilities. To support this mission, the NOD website offers political, social, and economic information, as well as current news and employment resources.
ADA Document Portal
The ADA Document Portal provides access to over 7,400 government and legal documents related to the interpretation, regulation, and enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
American Association for People with Disabilities
Dedicated to promoting economic and political participation for people with disabilities, the AAPD offers news, events, and legislative information related to equal access.
National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. (NORD)
The NORD website offers information on over 1,000 rare diseases and conditions through its index and searchable databases. Basic information about diseases and support groups is available free of charge, while in-depth reports are available for purchase.
Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) Voting Guide
The DREDF is a “national law and policy center dedicated to protecting and advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities.” Its Voting Guide offers legal information for election officials and voters with disabilities.
California State Department of Rehabilitation
The DOR website offers information, services, and California government resources related to employment, access, legislation, and independent living for people with disabilities.
MediCal
The MediCal website offers an overview of state-sponsored health care programs and services. The site also features eligibility, enrollment, and benefits information.
Legal Rights of Persons with Disabilities Handbook (PDF File)
This handbook, prepared by the California Department of Justice, offers an overview of legislation related to disabilities. As its title implies, the handbook also provides a detailed explanation of the legal and civil rights of Californians with disabilities.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The CMS website, produced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, functions as a starting point for Medicare and Medicaid research, news, and access. The site also includes links and enrollment information for several government health care programs.
Disability Info
A product of the President’s New Freedom Initiative, this public service-oriented website offers information about employment, health, and social services. The site is designed to educate the American public and promote equal access for people with disabilities.
Social Security Online
The Social Security Administration’s disability website offers extensive information about programs, services, and policies for people with disabilities. The site also includes eligibility, enrollment, and benefits information, as well as Social Security handbooks and forms.
National Council on Disability
The NCD is an independent Federal Government agency that advises the President on disability issues. The NCD website offers statutes, policies, and government resources related to disability legislation.
National Institute for Mental Health
The NIMH is a Federal Government agency devoted to researching and disseminating information about mental health disorders and treatments. The NIMH website offers research, news, and helpful fact sheets on a wide variety of mental health topics, from autism to schizophrenia.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US Department of Health)
The CDC website offers a number of disability-related resources, including information on the screening, treatment, and prevention of a variety of diseases and conditions.
US Department of Justice – Americans with Disabilities Act
This website serves as a portal to federal agencies that serve people with disabilities. The site also includes links to standards, regulations, and handbooks dealing with equitable access.
Medicare
This consumer-oriented site provides information on Medicare benefits, enrollment, and services, as well as general health care advice.
Fair Housing Resource for People with Disabilities
Prepared by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this site provides information about accessible housing regulations for three groups: people with disabilities, housing providers, and architects.
Accessibility Guidelines and Standards
This website was developed by the Access Board, a federal agency that focuses on accessible design. The site offers links to the text of laws and regulations concerning the design of facilities, transportation, and communication systems.
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