QNL Unveils World’s First Accessible Digital Kiosk

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Qatar National Library has launched an Accessible Digital Kiosk that enables people with disabilities to engage with over 100 items from its Heritage Library using formats like Braille, tactile reproductions, and sign language. This initiative, developed with Mada Assistive Technology Center and supported by the QRDI Council, aims to broaden cultural access and foster greater inclusion within Qatar and beyond.

Qatar National Library (QNL) has introduced a new Accessible Digital Kiosk designed to provide people with disabilities enhanced access to the country’s heritage collections. Unveiled this week, the kiosk allows visitors to interact with more than 100 selected items from QNL’s Heritage Library through a variety of accessible formats, including Braille interfaces and tactile reproductions.

Developed in partnership with Mada Assistive Technology Center and funded by the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council, the device aims to make historical materials more accessible to visitors who might otherwise face challenges engaging with the archive.

The kiosk also features sign-language content, delivered by “Bo-Hamad,” Mada’s Qatari Sign Language avatar, catering particularly to visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing. Together, these technologies provide a multisensory experience, enabling a broader audience to explore and appreciate Qatar’s cultural heritage.

Fatima Mohammed al-Sada, Patron Experience Specialist at QNL, highlighted the initiative as part of the library’s broader commitment to inclusion. She emphasized the integration of innovative technology with historical archives to ensure all community members can access and be inspired by the collections.

Nada al-Olaqi, Senior Programme Director for Innovation Development and Adoption Programmes at the QRDI Council, described the project as a prime example of collaboration between national institutions and innovators. She noted that the project, supported through QRDI’s Open Innovation programme, demonstrates how ideas can be transformed into practical solutions with societal benefits.

Al-Olaqi expressed optimism that the kiosk’s impact would extend beyond its initial installation at QNL, contributing to more inclusive cultural experiences within Qatar, the wider region, and internationally.

The introduction of the Accessible Digital Kiosk marks a significant step in making the nation’s cultural heritage more widely available, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve accessibility and inclusion in Qatar’s public institutions.

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