International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology

Research Institute for Knowledge Content Development & Technology (건국대학교 지식콘텐츠연구소)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Information Communication Technology (ICT) use for information access by visually and physically impaired persons in public university libraries in Kenya

  • Beatrice W. Kiruki (Department of Library and Information Science, Kenyatta University (KU)) ;
  • Stephen M. Mutula (IT and Government, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN))
  • Received : 2021.11.24
  • Accepted : 2022.02.12
  • Published : 2023.03.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

This article is a spinoff of a doctoral study that was completed at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) in 2018 on provision of information services to persons with visual and physical impairments in public university libraries in Kenya. The article examined how ICTs such as internet, e-resources and e-databases, word processing, websites and more were being used in public university libraries to provide access to information by visually and physically impaired persons. Data were collected from the visually and physically impaired students, University Librarians, Systems librarians, staff from disability departments and library staff who provided services to visually and physically impaired persons. The findings revealed that the visually and physically impaired persons in most of the libraries could not access information owing to lack of the necessary assistive and adaptive technologies and weak institutional support and framework. The study recommend that the libraries improve assistive technology infrastructure, embrace new assistive technologies such as telepresence robots, virtual realities and more, and put in place enabling policies and capacity building programmes for library staff to enable them to provide services to persons with impairments.

Keywords

References

  1. Abdelrahman, O. H. (2016). Use of library technology and services by the visually-impaired and the blind in the University of Khartoum, Sudan. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology, 36(3), 93-97. doi:10.14429/djlit.36.2.9803
  2. Ari, I. A., & Inan, F. A. (2010). Assistive technologies for students with disabilities: A survey of access and use in Turkish universities. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 9(2), 40-45. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ898001.pdf
  3. Ayiah, E. M. (2017). Provision of assistive technologies in academic libraries to students with visual impairment in Ghana: A case study of the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1679. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1679
  4. Babalola, Y. T., & Yacob, H. (2011). Library and information services to the visually impaired - the role of academic libraries. Canadian Social Science, 7(1), 140-147. doi:10.3968/j.css.1923669720110701.015
  5. Beal, V. (2021). Digital Divide. Webopedia. Retrieved from https://www.webopedia.com/definitions/digital-divide/
  6. Bhardwaj, R. K. (2018). Information access mechanism for visually impaired students in higher educational institutions: A study. DESIDOC Journal of Library and Information Technology, 38(6), 387-395. doi:10.14429/djlit.38.6.13603
  7. Brewster, S. (2015). Intelligent machines: Telepresence robot for the disabled takes directions from brain signals. MIT Technology Review. Retrieved from https://www.technologyreview.com/2015/11/30/109452/telepresence-robot-for-the-disabled-takes-directions-from-brain-signals/ 109452/telepresence-robot-for-the-disabled-takes-directions-from-brain-signals/
  8. Calderdale Council. (2018). Brain in hand - 1 year pilot October 2017 to 2018, West Yorkshire: Public Sector Equality Duty.
  9. Caldwell, R. (2006). Web accessibility, e-learning, and academic libraries. International Journal of Public Information Systems, 2(1), 1-9. Retrieved from http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:389637/FULLTEXT01.pdf
  10. Dobransky, K., & Hargittai, E. (2006). The disability divide in internet access and use. Information Communication & Society, 9(3), 313-334. doi:10.1080/13691180600751298
  11. Dodamani, A. M., & Dodamani, S. M. (2019). Provision of Assistive technology for Students with Visual Impairments in University Libraries in India. Journal of Library & Information Technology, 39(3), 104-108. doi:10.14429/djlit.39.3.14329
  12. Du Plessis, M. (2013). Du Plessis, M. (2013). The social model of disability, rights discourse and the impact of South Africa's Education White Paper 6 on access to the basic education system for persons with severe or profound intellectual impairments. Law, Democracy & Development, 17(1), 202-225. doi:10.4314/ldd.v17i1.10
  13. Enable Ireland. (2016). Assistive technology for people with disabilities and older people. Dublin: Disability Federation of Ireland. Retrieved from https://www.enableireland.ie/sites/default/files/publication/AT%20Paper%20final%20version.pdf
  14. Frank, J., Salsbury, M., Mckelvey, H., & Mclain, R. (2021). Digital equity & inclusion strategies for libraries: Promoting student success for all learners. The International Journal of Information, Diversity, & Inclusion, 5(3), 185-205. https://doi.org/10.33137/ijidi.v5i3.36190
  15. Githinji, J. W. (2013). Access to university education for persons with disabilities (Master dissertation). University of Nairobi, Nairobi. Retrieved from http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/bitstream/handle/11295/62965/Githinji_Access%20to%20university%20education%20for%20persons%20with%20disabilities.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y
  16. Grassi, R. (2017). Libraries for all: Expanding services to people with disabilities. The Illinois Library Association Reporter, 35(1), 20-23. Retrieved from https://www.ila.org/content/documents/reporter_0217.pdf
  17. International Telecommunications Union. (2013). The ict opportunity for a disability-inclusive development framework. Retrieved from https://www.itu.int/en/action/accessibility/Documents/The ICT Opportunity for a Disability_Inclusive Development Framework.pdf
  18. Irvall, B., & Nielsen, G. S. (2005). Access to libraries for persons with disabilities - Checklist. IFLA Professional Reports, 89. Retrieved from https://archive.ifla.org/VII/s9/nd1/iflapr-89e.pdf
  19. Islam, S., & Islam, N. (2006). Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Libraries: A New Dimension in Librarianship. Asian Journal of Information Technology, 5(8), 809-817. Retrieved from https://medwelljournals.com/abstract/?doi=ajit.2006.809.817
  20. Jeffs, T. L. (2010). Virtual reality and special needs. Themes in Science and Technology Education, 2(1-2), 253-268. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1131319.pdf
  21. Khachatryan, A. (2014). Digital services to patrons with disabilities offered at the National Library of Armenia: challenges and measures taken (Masters dissertation). Swedish School of Library and Information Science, University of Boras, Boras. Retrieved from https://docplayer.net/21679915-Digital-services-to-patrons-with-disabilities-offered-at-the-national-library-of-armenia-challenges-and-measures-taken.html
  22. Kadodo, W., Rugara, T., & Ndinde, S. (2016). The Right to Information: Library Services and Disability at Tertiary and University Libraries in Masvingo Urban in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 15(3), 191-203. Retrieved from http://www.ijlter.org/index.php/ijlter/article/download/558/281
  23. Kotso, J. A., & Mohammed, Z. (2011). Users satisfaction with library and information services in Plateau State Special Education Institution. The Information Manager, 11(1-2), 36-44. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/tim/article/view/83638
  24. Leeb, R., Tonin, L., Rohm, M., Desideri, L., Carlson, T., & Millan, J. D. R. (2015). Towards Independence: A BCI Telepresence Robot for People With Severe Motor Disabilities. Proceedings of the IEEE, 103(6), 969-982. doi:10.1109/JPROC.2015.2419736
  25. Mahesh, G., & Mittal, R. (2008). Digital Libraries in India: a review. Libri, 58, 15-24. doi:10.1515/libr.2008.002
  26. Mairaj, M. I., & El-Hadi, W. M. (2012). Applications of information and communication technologies in libraries in Pakistan. Journal of Medical Library Association, 100(3), 218-222. doi:10.3163/1536-5050.100.3.013
  27. Munemo, E., & Tom, T. (2013). Access and support of assistive technology for people with visual impairments in Open and Distance Learning institutions (O.D.L) in Zimbabwe. Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies, 4(3), 553-559. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC139097 10520/EJC139097
  28. Mutula, S. M., & Majinge, R. M. (2016). Information Behaviour of Students Living With Visual Impairments in University Libraries: A Review of Related Literature. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 42(5), 522-528. doi:10.1016/j.acalib.2016.06.019
  29. Nyaboke, C. (2018). Challenges of Accessing library and Information Services for Persons with Disabilities in University Libraries in Meru County, Kenya. International Journal of Economics, 2(01). Retrieved from www.ijebmr.com/link/151
  30. Ogunsola, L. A., & Okusaga, T. O. (2006). Digital divide between developed and less-developed countries: the way forward. Journal of Social Sciences, 13(2), 137-146. doi:10.1080/09718923.2006.11892542
  31. Okonedo-Adegbaye, S. I., Amusa, O. I., Bakare, O. D., & Alawiye, M. K. (2014). ICT influence on globalization of library and information services delivery in academic libraries in South West, Nigeria. Information and Knowledge Management, 4(12), 205-212.
  32. Oliver, M. (1990). The politics of disablement: A sociological approach. New York: St. Martin's Press.
  33. Oliver, M. (2004). The social model in action: if I had a hammer. Implemeting the social model of disability: theory and research, 2, 18-31.
  34. Oliver, M. (2013). The Social Model of Disability: Thirty Years on. Disability & Society, 28(7), 1024-1026. doi:10.1080/09687599.2013.818773
  35. Owei, V., Bada, A. O., & Aniebonam, M. (2006). Addressing the information technology skills shortage in developing countries: Tapping the pool of disabled users. Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, 4(2), 77-89. doi:10.1108/14779960680000283
  36. Owens, J. (2015). Exploring the critiques of the social model of disability: The transformative possibility of Arendt's notion of power. Sociology of Health and Illness, 37(3), 385-403. doi.:10.1111/1467-9566.12199
  37. Republic of Kenya. (2010). Laws of Kenya: the constitution of Kenya, 191. Nairobi: National Council for Law Reporting.
  38. Retief, M., & Letsosa, R. (2018). Models of disability: A brief overview. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 74(1), 1-8. doi:10.4102/hts.v74i1.4738
  39. Saleem, A., Shabana, T. S. Z., & Batcha, M. S. (2013). Application and uses of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in academic libraries: An overview. International Journal of Library Science, 2(3), 49-52. doi:10.5923/j.library.20130203.01
  40. Sanaman, G., & Kumar, S. (2014). Assistive technologies for people with disabilities in National Capital Region Libraries of India. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-Journal), 1200, 1-14. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1200
  41. Schwab, K. (2016). The Fourth Industrial Revolution: what it means, how to respond. World Economic Forum. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-what-it-means-and-how-to-respond/
  42. Shuja, M. A. (2008). Connecting people with disabilities: ICT opportunities for all. Munich Personal RePEc Archive, 17204, 1-20. Retrieved from https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/17204/1/Connecting_People_With_Disabilities_ICT_Opportunities_for_All-------By_Muhammad_Ali_Shuja.pdf
  43. Thompson, D., Fisher, K. R., & Kayess, R. (2012). The role of assistive technology in supporting people with disabilities and complex care needs: A literature review. Sydney: Social Policy Research Centre.
  44. Thompson, S. (2018). Mobile technology and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education. Retrieved from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b43205a40f0b678b369e262/Mobile_tech_and_inclusion_of_persons_with_disability.pdf
  45. Todaro, A. J. (2005). Library services for people with disabilities in Argentina. New Library World, 105(5-6), 253-268. doi:10.1108/03074800510595869
  46. Tripathi, M., & Shukla, A. (2014). Use of assistive technologies in academic libraries: A survey. Assistive Technology, 26(2), 105-118. doi:10.1080/10400435.2013.853329
  47. United Nations. (2008). Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities and optional protocol. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/disabilities/documents/convention/convoptprot-e.pdf
  48. United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2011). ICTs in education for people with disabilities: Review of innovative practice. Moscow: UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education. Retrieved from https://iite.unesco.org/pics/publications/en/files/3214682.pdf
  49. Uzohue, C. E., & Yaya, J. A. (2016). Provision of library and information services to the visually impaired pupils in Pacelli School for the Blind, Lagos, Nigeria. Biomedical and Health Informatics, 1(1), 1-5. Retrieved from http://www.aiscience.org/journal/paperInfo/bhi?paperId=2870
  50. Varney, E. (2013). Disability and information technology: A comparative study in media and regulation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  51. Wigmore, I. (2019). Fourth industrial revolution. TechTarget. Retrieved from https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/fourth-industrial-revolution
  52. World Health Organization. (2011). World report on disability. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/disabilities/world_report/2011/report.pdf
  53. Yeasmin, S., & Rahman, K. F. (2012). 'Triangulation' Research Method as the Tool of Social Science. BUP Journal, 1(1), 154-163. Retrieved from https://bup.edu.bd/system/uploads/journal/file/17/BUP_JOURNAL_2012_compressed.pdf
  54. Zaid, Y. A. (2017). Information provision for students with visual impairments in Nigerian universities: Charting a course from project to service delivery. Journal of Applied Information Science and Technology, 10(1), 1-10. Retrieved from https://www.jaistonline.org/10vol1/JAISTPAPER1INFORMATION PROVISION 11.pdf 10vol1/JAISTPAPER1INFORMATIONPROVISION11.pdf
  55. Zaid, Y. A., & Zaid, Y. (2017). The exclusion of persons with visual impairment in Nigerian academic libraries' websites. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-Journal), 1601, 1-12. Retrieved from https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/189476139.pdf