• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.97-123
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• 2011

To achieve public library services for all by including those with disabilities, librarians have to think of them in new ways, and be knowledgeable about various types of disabilities and how to best assist the patron. And public libraries must provide them with services designed by types of disability. This study analyzed the characteristics of Korean disabled people by types of disability and proposed the directions to develop of public library services for people with disabilities by types of disabilities.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.157-173
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• 2002

To bridge digital divide, the nation's information services should be focused their attentions on people with disabilities. According to this philosophy, the public library's services for people with disabilities should be main streamed into its regular services. Providing equitable access for people with disabilities to public library's resources, facilities, and services, the standard library services policy or guideline should be developed as soon as possible. A draft in this papers may be helpful to a policy maker for public library services for people with disabilities

• International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.55-75
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• 2021

This article examines the accessibility and usability of library websites to students with visual and physical disabilities in public universities in Kenya. The study used survey research design and adopted a mixed methods approach. Data were gathered using survey questionnaire, focus group discussions, structured interviews, and observation. The study population consisted of six public universities that had a longstanding tradition of enrolling students with disabilities. Census was used to obtain a study sample comprising of students with visual disabilities (86), students with physical disabilities (91), University Librarians (6), Personnel from Disability Mainstreaming departments (6), Systems Librarians (6) and Library Personnel who provided information services to students with disabilities (133). The Social Model of Disability and IFLA Access to Libraries for Persons with Disabilities checklist were used as conceptual and theoretical framework in the study. Study results revealed that all the libraries had library websites. However, the websites did not have disability services page or information specific to individuals with disabilities. Also a section of students with disabilities lacked awareness of the existence of library websites and e-resources available through them. Additionally, the website design posed various access challenges. The study concluded that people with disabilities were excluded from access and use of library websites in public universities. The authors recommended that library websites must contain disability services page containing information specific to persons with disabilities. Moreover, libraries should evaluate their websites to ensure compliance with W3C requirements for web content accessibility. Additionally, libraries should develop disability policy to provide guidance on provision of information services to persons with disabilities.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.241-261
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to propose information services for people with disabilities in the culture and art complex. As a research method, group interviews were conducted. Data were collected from three different groups of people with physical disabilities, hearing impairments, and visual impairments in order to investigate specific information services for these groups of people. The results of the information services needed were indicated, based on four sections: the center web pages, information desk, orientation area, and information search area. Specifically, the results showed that more active supports would be provided at the information desks for people with hearing impairments and visual impairments as well as facilities for people with physical disabilities. In the orientation area, special equipment would be provided for people with hearing impairments and visual impairments, and exclusive seats for wheelchair users. For further studies, a detailed research about the information behavior for visitors with disabilities in the culture and art complex would be needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.197-219
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• 2013

This study focused on current status of Korean public library services for people with intellectual disabilities, as well as problems associated with managing the services, in order to suggest future directions for implementation. To analyze the current status, the researcher conducted a case study of current Korean public library services for people with intellectual disabilities. This research also conducted a focus group interview with librarians experienced in providing such services. The results show that the services are provided with the support of a community welfare center, in the form of a program over short periods of time. The librarians agreed on the appropriateness of the services but emphasized various difficulties associated with service management. Based on the results, we suggest possible points of consideration, including support for increased funding, more qualified personnel, adequate policies, and development of a model service for people with intellectual disabilities.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.217-241
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• 2010

Recently, as voluntary activity has become more widespread, there have been some voluntary activity movements in the provision of library services for people with disabilities. This study aimed to develop a model on voluntary activity in library services for disabled people in public libraries. Survey data collected through three data collection methods showed that volunteer activities in public library services for the disabled were very poor, and recommended the training of library staff and volunteers serving disabled people, the management of educational programs for librarians about the disabled and the dissemination of standardized manuals. From the results of the survey, a voluntary activity model, based on three factors, the aims of library services, the types of the disabilities, and volunteer services including specific sub areas of services, was developed. Finally, this voluntary activity model will contribute to the theory development of library services for the disabled

• International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.35-50
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• 2023

Assistive technologies are necessary for ensuring independent living and equal participation in an information-based society for people living with disabilities (PLWD). This study investigated the assistive technology preference of students with visual disabilities, and the approach academic libraries should adopt in procuring assistive technologies. The study adopted a quantitative research method, with a survey as the research design. The study was conducted among visually disabled students in four public universities in Nigeria. Using the total enumeration method, an online questionnaire was used to obtain information from 151 students who voluntarily agreed to partake in the survey. The study found that access to electronic resources, scanning/conversion of print resources to electronic formats and access to information on the Web were among the technology-based services provided to visually disabled students. COBRA, ZoomText, Supernova and Dragon Naturally Speaking are the most preferred assistive technologies (software). At the same time, handheld scanners ($\bar{x}=4.40$) and braille keyboards ($\bar{x}=4.60$) are the most preferred assistive technologies in the hardware category by visually challenged students. The study further revealed that the library management should consult with students living with a visual disability before procuring assistive technology. Findings from this study thus provide further evidence of the need for librarians to fulfil their moral and legal obligation in advocating the provision of assistive technologies. Library administrators and university stakeholders should expedite actions on meeting the assistive technology needs of people living with visual disabilities. These actions should transcend mere policy formulation on the provision of assistive technologies to restructuring their services and spaces to accommodate assistive technologies as information service delivery tools for people with visual disabilities.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.71-92
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to identify the service factors of university libraries which aim to improve the educational welfare of the disabled, and to develop an evaluation indicator to evaluate these vital service factors. To proceed with this study, guidelines of public library services for people with disabilities, and previous research and job description of academy library analysed and developed indicators suited for evaluating academic library services for people with disabilities. A pilot survey and main survey about the evaluation factors and indicators conducted with librarians who work for university libraries, and the questions were refined by exploratory factor analysis of the data collected from the survey. As a result, through the process of identifying reliability and validity, it turned out that the evaluation factor and subordinate index of university library services for the disabled consisted of 8 factors and 33 indicators.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.1-23
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• 2022

Access to knowledge and information is a universal human right. However, even after the Marrakesh Treaty was adopted on June 27, 2013, only 1-7% of standard printed materials are accessible to people with reading disabilities, including the visually impaired, and library services are very weak. As a result, the book famine of people with reading disabilities continues. This study, focusing on such severe access gaps and inequalities, analyzes Learning Ally and Bookshare in the US, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in the UK, Bibliothèque Numérique Francophone Accessible (BNFA) in France, and SAPIE in Japan, which are considered private organizations leading library services for the disabled in major developed countries. And based on the derived implications and the Marrakesh Treaty, a strategic plan was proposed to strengthen the services of the disabled in domestic libraries. It is urgent to enact the 'Act to Resolve Reading Barriers', amend the provisions related to the Copyright Act that restrict library services, strengthen the organizational capacity of the National Library for the Disabled, raise the service index for the disabled in library evaluation, and establish a library cooperation system centered on regional representative libraries and expand services, etc.

• Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.169-188
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• 2013

In spite of various efforts to resolve digital divide of people with disabilities, it still has a long way to go because there lack of identifying information needs of people with disabilities and potential users including their family and the related, and integrated information channels such as a portal, and so on. In this context, this study aims at analyzing the users' unique information behavior and evaluating usability of domestic web information services for people with disabilities which are currently serviced. Increasingly, we suggest new functional requirements of building a library portal for people with disabilities.