Access and Use of Information by Visually Impaired Students at The University of Rwanda Libraries

Abstract

Access to knowledge and information is the key to socio-economic development in all countries around the world. It is therefore necessary for academic libraries to stock information materials that meet the needs of the visually impaired students. Recent study shows that less than 5% of information materials available to sighted library users are available to the visually impaired users. This means that more than 95% of information materials and sources available in libraries cannot be accessed by the visually impaired. The aim of the study was to investigate access and use of information for visually impaired students (VIS) at the University of Rwanda (UR) libraries with a view to develop strategies that can be used to improve access and use of information by these students. The objectives of the study were to: establish information sources available at the Libraries for the VIS, determine the extent to which VIS access and use information materials at the Libraries, examine the facilities and support system in place for VIS at UR, analyze the extent to which the needs of VIS at the UR Libraries are met, and identify the challenges experienced by VIS in accessing and using information at the UR Libraries. The study was based on universal design and access theory by Herriot. The study adopted descriptive research design. Purposive sampling was used to draw 26 lecturers and 8 library staff from a population of 520 lecturers and 31 library staff while a census approach was used in drawing the Visually Impaired Students totaling 28 and 3 deans of students from Huye Campus, College of Education (CE) Remera Campus and College of Business and Economics (CBE) Gikondo Campus. Data was collected using interviews for VIS, dean of students and lecturers and questionnaires for library staff. The findings show that there are no adequate Information sources at the University of Rwanda Libraries for the visually impaired students. It was also observed that the VIS have low levels of access and use of information materials at the University of Rwanda Libraries. Furthermore, the findings show that the three campuses of UR are deficient in the availability of library materials for the VIS. The study concludes that information needs for VIS are not met by the University of Rwanda Libraries. Finally the study concludes that students with visual impairments encounter specific challenges in the visual access and use of information, including: technical, institutional and personal issues. The study recommends the development and adoption of inclusive and universal services to VIS and suggests that UR libraries expand collection development policies for appropriate and diversified information resources.