Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

 

Date of this Version

Summer 2-14-2023

Comments

Skills and techniques to overcome visual impairment are many and varied. Understanding of visual impairment and its attendant problems. The study focused on ICT tools as provision for information to the Visually Impaired Persons in Lagos State Special Libraries, Nigeria.

Abstract

The rapid development in technology has transformed all spheres of life. Information Communication Technology has revolutionaries the accessibility and use of information resources in the contemporary world. However, people who are visually impaired encounter challenges in accessing information resources and services in the libraries especially ICT and it is as a result of their customised library collections being mostly in Braille formats. Provision of ICT tools for the visually impaired has received tremendous attention all over the world. Information resources for the visually impaired are converted into formats that are usable to them; these formats include Braille, talking books/audio recordings and large prints to meet their information needs which are the manual format of information source. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Total enumeration sampling technique was used. Data were collected with the use of a structured questionnaire that was converted into Google form on ICT Tools as Provision for Information to the Visually Impaired Persons in Lagos State Special Libraries. The population of this study comprised of 104 of all the visually impaired using the two special libraries in Lagos state. Frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation, were used to analyse the data. The result shows that the Assignment, Health and Scholarship are the major information needs of Visually Impaired Persons. The result also show that Speech synthesis (x = 1.92), Computers (x = 1.92) was ranked highest majorly, Internet connectivity (x = 1.81), speech-to-text engine (x = 1.75) and Retina implant (x = 1.09) were ICT tools available for the visually impaired. The result also show that lack of marketing of library services to the visually impaired, inadequate funds to acquire individual ICT tools and Lack of awareness were the major challenge encountered by Visually Impaired students. In conclusion Libraries meant for people with special needs should provide enough ICT tools to the visually impaired to meet their needs. Recommended that library should train staff on how to assist the visually impaired persons on the usage of the ICT tools available in the library. Library should make available ICT tools visually impaired students.

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