Ensuring accessibility of electronic information resources for visually impaired people

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 368-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanus Andreas Kleynhans ◽  
Ina Fourie
Keyword(s):  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Electronic Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Visually Impaired People ◽  
Electronic Information Resources ◽  
Impaired People ◽  
Partially Sighted ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose – The paper addresses the importance of clarifying terminology such as visually impaired and related terms before embarking on accessibility studies of electronic information resources in library contexts. Apart from briefly defining accessibility, the paper attempts to address the lack of in-depth definitions of terms such as visually impaired, blind, partially sighted, etc. that has been noted in the literature indexed by two major Library and Information Science (LIS) databases. The purpose of this paper is to offer a basis for selecting participants in studies of accessibility of electronic information resources in library contexts and to put discussions of such studies in context. Design/methodology/approach – Clarification of concepts concerning visual impairment following a literature survey based on searching two major databases in LIS. To put the discussion in context accessibility is also briefly defined. Findings – Although visually impaired and a variety of related terms such as blind, partially sighted, visually disabled, etc. are used in the LIS literature, hardly any attempt is made to define these terms in depth. This can be a serious limitation in web and electronic accessibility evaluations and the selection of participants. Practical implications – Clearly distinguishing between categories of visually impaired people and the ability of sight of participants is important when selecting participants for studies on accessibility for visually impaired people, e.g. the accessibility evaluation of web sites, digital libraries and other electronic information resources. Originality/value – The paper can make a contribution to the clarification of terminology essential for the selection of participants in accessibility studies, as well as enriching the literature on accessibility for visually impaired people in the context of LIS.

Indoor navigation with smart phone IMU for the visually impaired in university buildings

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesus Victor Zegarra Flores ◽  
Laurence Rasseneur ◽  
Rodrigue Galani ◽  
Fabienne Rakitic ◽  
René Farcy
Keyword(s):  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Indoor Navigation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Final Destination ◽  
The North ◽  
Visually Impaired People ◽  
Impaired People ◽  
Impaired Person ◽  
Partially Sighted

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to design and test effective indoor navigation solutions for visually impaired people in situations where GPS, bluetooth or Wi-Fi signals are unavailable. The authors use the inertial measurement units (IMU), the compass and the barometer of a smart phone. Design/methodology/approach The authors have used commercial Android smart phones with IMU, compass and barometer to record a path and to give navigation instructions in an adapted way using a mobility-specific vocabulary. The method proposed is to save paths taking into account different indoor waypoints such as the stairs (change from one floor to another) and the change of direction of the trajectory of the path (e.g. one-fourth turn right or left), recording data from the IMU sensor’s, compass and barometer of the smart phone. Having this information and the characteristics of the each segment (distance, azimuth to the north and pressure) of the path, it is possible to provide functional navigation guidance to the visually impaired subject. Three different visually impaired people (one partially sighted and two fully blind) and three sighted people have tested the paths. The efficiency of the navigation is analyzed in terms of distance and time using the comparison between blind and sighted people. Findings The main finding is that it is possible to guide visually impaired people some hundreds of meters just using the sensors of a smart phone under certain conditions: the visually impaired person has to understand the guidance instructions and respect some strategies (e.g. not to walk diagonally across vast spaces). Additionally it is observed that the visually impaired participants walked distances, which are not much different to the optimal values. On the other hand; because of their hesitations using their white cane to find free paths, they take in some cases 50 percent more time to arrive (for a few minutes path, this time is not critical and even more efficient than looking for a guide). One thing to highlight is that even with this hesitation, the subjects arrived to the final destination. Originality/value This paper demonstrates how an IMU coupled to a compass and a barometer from a Smart Phone employing a spoken mobility language (e.g. next corridor to the left; at the end of the stairs turn right, turn left, etc.) can guide visually impaired people inside buildings.

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Electronic Information Resources among Postgraduate Students in Nigerian Universities

Mousaion ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kehinde Abayomi Owolabi ◽  
Basirat.Olubukola Diyaolu ◽  
Nurudeen Adeniyi Aderibigbe ◽  
Mudasiru A Yusuf
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Behavioural Intention ◽  
Electronic Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Electronic Information Resources

The advent of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has revolutionised how library resources are made and transmitted to end-users. It has effectively improved the standard of education and research in tertiary institutions worldwide by providing various essential resources, including e-books, journals and databases. However, it has been observed that students still abstain from making the best usage of the digital library, instead using search engines rather than institutional digital libraries. This study investigated the factors influencing the behavioural intention of postgraduate (PG) students to use electronic information resources (EIRs). The Unified Theory of Acceptance of Technology (UTAUT) model was adopted. A cross-sectional research design was used to assess the factors influencing the use of EIRs. A sample of 362 PG students was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation approach. Data were collected from participants via the administration of 400 copies of the questionnaire. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and the Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modelling (CB-SEM) were used to analyse data collected. The findings revealed that performance expectancy (PE) and effort expectancy (EE) were the two constructs that influenced PG students’ behavioural intention to use EIRs. In contrast, social influence (SI) and facilitating condition (FC) did not change the PG students’ behavioural plan to use EIRs. The study recommended the need for adequate training for postgraduate (PG) students on the obligation to accept and use EIRs.

Micro factors influencing use of electronic information resources among postgraduate students in institutions of higher learning in Kenya

2015 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisha Ondieki Makori
Keyword(s):  
Return On Investment ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Electronic Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Electronic Information Resources ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
The University

Purpose – To purpose of this paper is to evaluate micro-factors influencing use of electronic information resources among postgraduate students in institutions of higher learning in Kenya, and suggest strategies to enhance and improve the utilization of these vital sources in the university learning environments. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses document or desk review analysis, professional opinions and ideas and case examples regarding utilization of electronic information resources. Findings – The study indicates how practices such as information literacy and learning skills, consultative or partnership meetings, use of portable brochures and guides, research, teaching and learning approaches, seminar and workshop trainings, public relations and attitudes influence the use of electronic information resources. Among the strategic measures that are instrumental for effective utilization of these vital knowledge resources, it is the ability to provide tailor-made programmes targeting postgraduate students and reaching out or going to where the students are through regular meetings and social media advertisements and announcements. limitations/implications – This study is confined to postgraduate students in institutions of higher learning inclusively using document review guides and case examples of utilization and non-utilization of electronic resources. Practical implications – Possible strategies and solutions that enhance and improve use of electronic information resources among the postgraduate students include the need to integrate the use of information communication technology in research, teaching, learning and community services of the university, provision of compulsory literacy programmes to the students and regular partnership meetings with the faculty members, librarians and postgraduate fraternity. Social implications – Widespread use of electronic information resources in universities is proof enough that the libraries are proactively involved in advancement and creation of knowledge among the postgraduate students. One critical aspect of electronic information resources is the ability to facilitate return on investment if only the materials are effectively and efficiently used in supporting the goals and objectives of libraries and universities. These result in higher customer satisfaction, and better return on investment, leading to increased use of information services in the universities. Originality/value – Institutions of higher learning including libraries and universities are in a new dispensation of modernity and post-modernity increasingly dependent on electronic or digital information systems. In the modern knowledge and learning environment, information professionals, postgraduate students and other stakeholders need to agree to the simple rule that electronic information resources are the backbone of academic services in universities perhaps more than ever before. In the academic and educational quest in universities, electronic information resources fundamentally supplements print materials because most universities lack the necessary technological infrastructure.

scholarly journals FORMATION AND USE OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

1970 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoya V. Savchenko
Keyword(s):  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Educational Resources ◽  
Information Support ◽  
Electronic Information ◽  
Storage Technology ◽  
Electronic Information Resources ◽  
Science And Education ◽  
And Storage

The article presents the results of a study of one of the components of typical scientific electronic libraries – electronic information resources. The structure of electronic scientific information and educational resources allocated to their structure. The distribution of electronic information resources for the essential attributes: their properties, typology, for the creation, formation and storage technology. Based on the fact that the most promising way of information support of science and education is the use of digital libraries, it is proposed to create a scientific digital library to take advantage of the above article results such studies as a representation of the structure, classification and types of scientific and educational electronic information resources.

Academic libraries in Romania

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (8/9) ◽  
pp. 625-634
Author(s):  
Octavia-Luciana Madge
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Electronic Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Electronic Information Resources ◽  
Medium Level ◽  
The Way

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the results obtained from a study on cooperation, collaboration and partnerships between academic libraries in Romania.Design/methodology/approachThe study is limited to the answers received from interviews with 11 of the 15 invited directors/heads of academic libraries from Romanian universities, but the findings can be extrapolated to assess the overall situation in this country.FindingsThe results’ analysis indicates that 73 percent of the participants (8 participants) consider cooperation in the activities of Romanian academic libraries as being at a low to medium level. National cooperation can be found only in relation to access to electronic information resources. Collaboration between libraries and other departments and services within universities exists, but collaboration with students and the teaching staff is less developed. Despite the small number of partnerships and collaborative projects in which Romanian academic libraries are involved, there is a desire to further develop such activities.Originality/valueThe study is the first of its kind undertaken in Romania and paves the way for further research on this issue.

The accessibility and usage of smartphones by Arab-speaking visually impaired people

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 418-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Najd Al-Mouh ◽  
Hend S. Al-Khalifa
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Internet Usage ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Visually Impaired People ◽  
Impaired People ◽  
Arabic Speaking

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate accessibility and usage of mobile smartphones by Arabic-speaking visually impaired people in Saudi Arabia. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 104 participants with visual impairments were interviewed about their use of mobile phones with the following questions: What is the most commonly used mobile phone? What is the popular domain for which they use mobile phones? What are their favorite applications? What accessibility challenges do they usually face while using mobile phones? How often do they use the Internet via mobile phones and what are the reasons behind that? Findings – This research is the first study with such magnitude to investigate smartphone usage by Arabic-speaking visually impaired people. The survey has revealed that Arabic-speaking visually impaired people utilize mobile phones in different ways and strategies. Getting assistance in performing daily tasks and navigating independently are two of the most common uses for mobile phones. Originality/value – Based on the findings, the authors are going to propose some guidelines to developers to improve smartphone accessibility, application design and Internet usage to improve accessibility for visually impaired people.

scholarly journals Accessibility of Tables in PDF Documents

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nosheen Fayyaz ◽  
Shah Khusro ◽  
Shakir Ullah
Keyword(s):  
Information Retrieval ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Original Material ◽  
Blind And Visually Impaired ◽  
Visually Impaired People ◽  
Impaired People ◽  
The Web

People access and share information over the web and in other digital environments, including digital libraries, in the form of documents such as books, articles, technical reports, etc. These documents are in a variety of formats, of which the Portable Document Format (PDF) is most widely used because of its emphasis on preserving the layout of the original material. The retrieval of relevant material from these derivative documents is challenging for information retrieval (IR) because the rich semantic structure of these documents is lost. The retrieval of important units such as images, figures, algorithms, mathematical formulas, and tables becomes a challenge. Among these elements, tables are particularly important because they can add value to the resource description, discovery, and accessibility of documents not only on the web but also in libraries if they are made retrievable and presentable to readers. Sighted users comprehend tables for sensemaking using visual cues, but blind and visually impaired users must rely on assistive technologies, including text-to-speech and screen readers, to comprehend tables. However, these technologies do not pay sufficient attention to tables in order to effectively present tables to visually impaired individuals. Therefore, ways must be found to make tables in PDF documents not only retrievable but also comprehensible. Before developing such solutions, it is necessary to review the available assistive technologies, tools, and frameworks for their capabilities, strengths, and limitations from the comprehension perspective of blind and visually impaired people, along with suitable environments like digital libraries. We found no such review article that critically and analytically presents and evaluates these technologies. To fill this gap in the literature, this review paper reports on the current state of the accessibility of PDF documents, digital libraries, assistive technologies, tools, and frameworks that make PDF tables comprehensible and accessible to blind and visually impaired people. The study findings have implications for libraries, information sciences, and information retrieval.

scholarly journals THE OVERVIEW OF INVESTIGATION IN THE FIELD OF BANKNOTE DESIGN FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 33-41
Author(s):  
Andrii Kyrychok
Keyword(s):  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Blind People ◽  
Historical Overview ◽  
User Group ◽  
Normal Vision ◽  
Design Features ◽  
Visually Impaired People ◽  
Impaired People ◽  
Color Blind ◽  
Partially Sighted

This essay aims to elaborate the technology when it comes to banknote making for visually impaired members of the society. The visually impaired are divided in three subgroups: color-blind, partially sighted and blind people. Their first needs are useful denomination features rather than security features, as they help them in determining a banknote’s value. This study provides a historical overview of banknote design features for the visually impaired. Furthermore, it looks into the methodology of banknote tests for the color-blind, showing images of how the color-blind experience the euro banknotes. Two features are needed for every subgroup of the visually impaired to establish the banknote’s value; one is not reliable. These two features are dedicated firstly to the relevant user group, but will also be used by others, including people with normal vision.

Cyber ethics adherence and the use of electronic information resources by undergraduates in public universities in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Ebiefung ◽  
Airen Adetimirin
Keyword(s):  
Public Universities ◽  
Academic Work ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Electronic Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Electronic Information Resources ◽  
Ethics Guidelines ◽  
Cyber Ethics

Purpose This study aims to investigate the adherence to cyber ethics by undergraduates in public universities in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria when using electronic information resources (EIRs). Design/methodology/approach Descriptive survey research design was used for this study. A total of 7,771 undergraduates of University of Uyo (UNIUYO) and Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Nigeria constitute the study population. The sampling technique used for the study is the multistage technique. A sampling fraction of 5% was used to arrive at a sample size of 389. Findings This study revealed that in UNIUYO, more than four-fifths of the undergraduates – 55 (84.6%) in science, 55 (82.1%) in engineering and 61 (81.3%) in education – noted that they used the internet on a daily basis, and in AKSU, almost all the respondents in science (50, 90.9%) and about four-fifths in engineering (45, 80.4%) observed that they also used the internet on a daily basis for academic work. Adherence to cyber ethics guidelines was high at UNIUYO in education (44.2) and science (43.0) and at AKSU in engineering (42.9) and science (44.7). Practical implications The use of EIRs in universities has brought enormous changes, especially on how information are accessed and used by undergraduates. As EIRs have become important component in university libraries and continuously used by undergraduates for academic work, there is the possibility that frequent accessibility and utilization could increase the chances of unethical usage. This study is therefore significant in taming the tide of abuse and misuse of e-information resources in universities. Originality/value The correlation between adherence to ethics guidelines and the use of EIRs was positively significant at both UNIUYO (r = 0.139*; df = 206; p < 0.05) and AKSU (r = 0.136*; df = 168; p < 0.05). A high level of adherence to cyber ethics by the undergraduates can be encouraged and maintained through the formulation of cyber ethics policy in the universities by academic librarians.

Multimodal and alternative perception for the visually impaired: a survey

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wai Lun Khoo ◽  
Zhigang Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sensors And Actuators ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Domain Experts ◽  
Visually Impaired People ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Impaired People ◽  
Health Organization

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of navigational assistive technologies with various sensor modalities and alternative perception approaches for visually impaired people. It also examines the input and output of each technology, and provides a comparison between systems. Design/methodology/approach – The contributing authors along with their students thoroughly read and reviewed the referenced papers while under the guidance of domain experts and users evaluating each paper/technology based on a set of metrics adapted from universal and system design. Findings – After analyzing 13 multimodal assistive technologies, the authors found that the most popular sensors are optical, infrared, and ultrasonic. Similarly, the most popular actuators are audio and haptic. Furthermore, most systems use a combination of these sensors and actuators. Some systems are niche, while others strive to be universal. Research limitations/implications – This paper serves as a starting point for further research in benchmarking multimodal assistive technologies for the visually impaired and to eventually cultivate better assistive technologies for all. Social implications – Based on 2012 World Health Organization, there are 39 million blind people. This paper will have an insight of what kind of assistive technologies are available to the visually impaired people, whether in market or research lab. Originality/value – This paper provides a comparison across diverse visual assistive technologies. This is valuable to those who are developing assistive technologies and want to be aware of what is available as well their pros and cons, and the study of human-computer interfaces.

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