ADLib offers a growing collection of free to access and use, evidence-informed data collection tools that have been designed specifically with learning disabled populations in mind. Each data collection tool comes with a user guide, links to the supporting evidence base, links to related resources (e.g. a "what to expect" story or an elicitation story to prepare participants for the activity), topic-focused versions of the tool, and a downloadable template to adapt the tool for new research questions. In addition, the library hosts resources linked to relationship building, working ethically with learning disabled participants and collaborating with learning disabled researchers. Below, you will find an overview of each of the resources we have co-produced.

All of our resources have now been translated and are available in four languages: English, Mandarin, Spanish and Hindi.

Please note: These are linguistic translations rather than cultural adaptations. If you are a researcher or practitioner working with learning-disabled populations in an international context and would be interested in collaborating on the cultural adaptation of ADLib tools, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch at [adlib-project@york.ac.uk](mailto:adlib-project@york.ac.uk).

Conversation Boards

A type of resource provided by ADLib to include the voices of disabled children in research is a conversation board. Conversation boards provide an alternative medium in which a participant who may be non-verbal can communicate and answer the researcher’s questions. On a conversation board, there are a variety of different labelled images which serve as possible responses a participant can choose from and point to as an answer to a question. On the conversation boards provided by ADLib, there are also blank boxes on the grid, allowing participants to add their own responses in addition to the ones provided. This is vital in the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in research as it allows them to contribute their own feelings, thoughts, knowledge and opinions. At the time of writing, AdLib has two conversation boards available in 4 languages, covering the topics of "school likes and dislikes" and "future goals".

For access to our conversation board guidance, templates and other resources, please click this link.

"What to Expect" Stories

For individuals with additional needs, taking part in research may be anxiety provoking due to unpredictability and not knowing what to expect, all of which reduces engagement. ADlib "What to expect" stories provide information about upcoming events using Picture communication symbols (PCS). This helps participants understand what to expect from the research process. The information provided includes the time at which events will occur, people who are involved and the sensory experiences to expect. What to Expect stories should not provide information on how the participant ‘should’ or is expected to act in the research.

For access to our "What to Expect" Story guidance, templates and other resources, please click this link.

Elicitation Stories

Elicitation Stories help participants to understand what is being asked of them in the research process. Prior to data collection using other ADLib resources, such as a regulation meter or energy meter, an elicitation story prepares participants by eliciting conversations about topics such as the consent process or the focus of the study.

For access to our Elicitation Story guidance, templates and other resources, please click this link.

Visual Conversations

Visual conversations provide a framework for individuals with additional needs to express their opinions on subjects that are central to the research. For example,

topic: School Likes and Dislikes

The overarching subject may be "school".
This subject will be supported by subordinate headings, such as "Like", "Dislike", "I am Not Sure" and "I Don’t Know What this Means".
The participants are provided with subject-related PCS symbols which they can allocate to the headings to express their opinions on these items.

It is important that the communication partner work closely with the individual to ensure that the questions align with their communication style. The communication partner must always allow for the participant to reflect on their opinions as they are repeated back to them and make any changes.

For access to our Visual Conversation guidance, templates and other resources, please click this link.

Energy Meter

An energy meter provides a framework for individuals with additional needs to express their opinions on subjects that are central to the research. Communication partners ask open ended questions to guide the dialogue and allow participants to choose the energy levels that they associate with each response to the question. It is important that communication partners can create new symbols as the conversation progresses so participants can express their opinions on a topic without being limited to fixed responses. The provided responses can also be tailored to better fit an individual's interests and communication styles.

For access to our Energy Meter guidance, templates and other resources, please click this link.

Regulation Meter

A regulation meter provides a framework for individuals with additional needs to express their opinions on subjects that are central to the research. Communication partners ask open ended questions to guide the dialogue and allow participants to choose the coloured regulation zone they fall into with each response to the question. These zones are the blue, green, yellow and red zones. The questions and format of the resource must align with individuals’ communication style and level of symbolic representation. It is important that communication partners are prepared to create new symbols as the conversation progresses. It is also important that the individuals are given time to reflect on their responses as they are read back to them and given the opportunity to make any changes.

For access to our Regulation Meter guidance, templates and other resources, please click this link.

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