Visually Impaired Students in Quest of Information in Two Public University Libraries in Ghana

Abstract

Public university libraries in Ghana can boast of numerous resources to support their users’. However, visually  impaired  students are unable to easily access, use and profit from these numerous resources available to  all other  users. The study targeted eighty visually impaired students in two public universities in Ghana.  Therefore, this study  sought to identify assistive technology devices used by students, challenges visually  impaired students faced in quest of  information and strategies to enhance access to information. The study  adopted quantitative survey design and  questionnaire was used for the study. The results were presented  in percentages, frequencies and tables. The major  challenges identified were format barrier, mobility, lack  of assistive technology devices and negative attitude. The study  also revealed that only one library had a  special section for the visually impaired students and the facilities were  inadequate. The study recommended  teamwork between the University Library and Office of Students with Special  Needs (OSSN)/Resource Centre  and provision of ICT-based facilities and software. The University Librarian should take  into consideration  visually impaired students when providing information materials to library patrons. This study can  also be used  as a guide by librarians in providing information infrastructure for students with visual impairment.