Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
2019
Document Type
Article
Citation
Khowaja, Sufia and Fatima, Nishat (2019). Knowledge Resources for Visually Impaired Persons: An Indian Perspective. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)
Abstract
The purpose of the study is to identify the sources provided by the universities of India to visually impaired persons to cater their educational requirements. There are 49 Central Universities in India, out of which 15 were selected for the study. The data from selected university libraries was collected using bilateral approach i.e. questionnaire and telephonic interview. It was found that central universities of India are not providing appropriate sources to their visually impaired users to fulfill their educational requirements. Though some universities had taken initiatives in providing the information resources and services, but still there are many aspects which should be looked upon for modification and improvisation. The present study is confined to the central universities of India as it would be difficult to identify each university in India who have started or are in urge to start the services to visually impaired users. It is anticipated that the study would be of immense importance not only for the academic institutions but also for the agencies/organizations working for this user community. The study thus puts light on the situations those are prevailing in academia allied to inclusive education for visually impaired persons and it also provides the way out to overcome such situations. The present study is devoted to particular user community and thus useful for professionals pursuing understanding about the library and information services for these users. Furthermore, the research highlights the present status regarding the availability of the library services for visually impaired users in central universities of India.
Comments
The purpose of the study is to identify the resources provided by the universities of India to visually impaired persons to cater their educational requirements. There are 49 Central Universities in India, out of which 15 were selected for the study. The data from selected university libraries was collected using bilateral approach i.e. questionnaire and telephonic interview. It was found that central universities of India are providing knowledge resources to their visually impaired users but not to their expectations in order to fulfill their educational requirements. Though some universities had taken initiatives in providing the information resources and services, but still there are many aspects which should be looked upon for modification and improvisation. The present study is confined to the central universities of India as it would be difficult to identify each university in India who have started or are in urge to start the services to visually impaired users. It is anticipated that the study would be of immense importance not only for the academic institutions but also for the agencies/organizations working for this user community. The study thus puts light on the situations those are prevailing in academia allied to inclusive education for visually impaired persons and it also provides the way out to overcome such situations. The present study is devoted to particular user community and thus useful for professionals pursuing understanding about the library and information services for these users. Furthermore, the research highlights the present status regarding the availability of the library services for visually impaired users in central universities of India.