Digital inclusion for visually impaired students through assistive technologies in academic libraries

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adefunke O. Alabi ◽  
Stephen M. Mutula
Keyword(s):  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Mission Statement ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Visual Disability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
Visually Impaired Students ◽  
World Ranking

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the state-of-the-art assistive technologies (ATs) developed for people living with visual disability and those that are used in academic libraries around the world as a way of proffering solution to the challenges faced by visually impaired students in accessing information. Design/methodology/approach The data used for this paper were derived from website of companies that specialize in ATs for people living with disability and the library website of the top 14 universities in the world based on the 2020 QS world ranking of universities. Findings This study found that foremost academic libraries in the UK and the USA have integrated various ATs into library services as information access mechanism for students living with visual impairment. The study found that the most commonly used screen reader software is the Job Access With Speech (JAWS). The study also found that one of the institutions has a mission statement on their website, clearly stating support for people living with disability. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted using only the 2020 QS world ranking of universities. It would be interesting to see results of academic libraries from Africa based on their ranking. Practical implications The paper provides highlights on trends that may inform academic libraries in the quest to providing ATs for students living with visual impairments. This paper may assist academics libraries who are at the brink of decision-making on use of ATs as information access mechanism to the visually impaired students. Originality/value This paper is the first to provide librarians with ideas and innovations on specific ATs used by leading academic libraries in the world.

Opportunities for academic smart libraries in the Caribbean

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian St. Patrick Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Information Access ◽  
The Body ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Services Delivery ◽  
The Caribbean

Purpose The purpose of this paper hinged on the concept of smart libraries and their development for the furtherance of information access, dissemination and information resources and services delivery in Caribbean libraries. Design/methodology/approach To conduct this research, the literature of smart libraries and technologically driven and their application in libraries were reviewed by examining existing literature on information and communication technologies and technology in libraries. Findings The literature highlighted that this technological advancement is not yet fully on stream in academic libraries of the Caribbean owing to the lack of financial, technological and organizational resources. It further outlined that certain aspects of library automation are fostered through the inclusion of technology. Research limitations/implications The limitation of this study is that only academic libraries of the Caribbean region were assessed. Other regions should be explored in future research. Originality/value The concept of smart libraries is an emerging issue with limited scope for scrutiny; a systematic and extensive review of recent research on smart in libraries is unavailable. This paper presents an overview of smart libraries or technologically driven libraries, its findings for potential research opportunities and development for academic libraries. In addition, it will build on the body of knowledge that is presently non-existent on smart libraries in the Caribbean.

scholarly journals The Challenges of Adopting M-Learning Assistive Technologies for Visually Impaired Learners in Higher Learning Institution in Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (01) ◽  
pp. 140
Author(s):  
Juliana Samuel Kamaghe ◽  
Edith Talina Luhanga ◽  
Michael Kisangiri
Keyword(s):  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Learning Technologies ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Visually Impaired Students ◽  
The University ◽  
Learning Institutions

In the past decades, the world has experienced major changes in the advancement of learning technologies which has enabled learners to engage in their learning activities anywhere. The penetration of mobile phone internet users in Tanzania has been increasing from 2 million in 2011 to 23mil in 2017 The adoption of mobile-based learning (M-learning) for students who are visually impaired in Tanzania has become a major bottleneck since most of the e-learning contents assume that learners have sight and thus include a lot of visualizations. This causes visually impaired students in higher learning Institutions (HLIs) to face challenges such as technical knowledge gaps. Lack of skills and inaccessibility of online contents, which then lead to drop out of the university. The aim of this study is to determine the awareness and usage levels of existing mobile assistive technologies for visual impairment, and the remaining challenges that visually impaired students face, when using such tools on smartphones to access m-learning content from HLIs. in Tanzania. The research was conducted an observational and contextual inquiry study at three major HLIs. We found that 67% of respondents did not have knowledge of m-learning assistive technologies, and their technology barriers for visually impaired students. Also, knowledge, accessibility of Assistive technology and affordability can hinder the adoption of m-learning in Higher Learning Institutions

scholarly journals Assistive Technology in Mathematics Learning for Visually Impaired Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gangsar Ali Daroni ◽  
Gunarhadi Gunarhadi ◽  
Edy Legowo
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Mathematics Learning ◽  
Mathematical Concept ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Learning Mathematics ◽  
Visually Impaired Students ◽  
Math Problems ◽  
Impaired Children ◽  
Visually Impaired Children

Mathematics is an important subject to be learned by all children. Visually impaired children experience obstacles in following the process of mathematics learning caused by abnormalities. Visually impaired students experience obstacles in the process of thinking at the disequilibrium stage and low understanding of concepts when studying mathematics. It caused them to experience difficulties when doing math problems. Assistive technology is a technology created specifically to improve or maintain the functional ability of children with special needs in order to accomplish tasks that hard for them to do. Assistive technology for visually impaired children is made by maximizing the abilities that the children still possess and helping them to get a clearer mathematical concept. This article is a literary study which aims to provide information about the difficulty for the visually impaired students in mathematics learning and assistive technologies that have been developed to support the learning. This article can be used as the basis for developing new assistive technology in mathematics learning. Assistive technology is needed to help children with visual impairment in following the learning of mathematics and to optimize the ability of the children in learning mathematics.

scholarly journals Análisis para determinar la viabilidad del uso de un software traductor de documentos con notación matemática a voz como apoyo al aprendizaje de las personas con discapacidad visual

2020 ◽  
pp. 23-32
Author(s):  
Eduardo Vázquez-Zayas ◽  
Liliana Elena Olguín-Gil ◽  
Francisco Vázquez-Guzmán
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Visual Disabilities ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Educational Environments ◽  
Learning Mathematics ◽  
The World ◽  
Para Determinar ◽  
Visually Impaired Students ◽  
Teaching Learning

This article describes the process followed to test software, the result of the first stage of an investigation, which aims to be a support tool for people with visual disabilities to improve their experience in learning mathematics. An analysis is made of the current situation in the country and the world of people with disabilities who wish to continue their studies at a high school or higher level, but who have found as main obstacles not having enough bibliography in Braille, or teachers not They have the means to generate content that visually impaired students can use in the same way as their classmates. Now with the Covid-19 pandemic there was a rebound in the use of educational platforms and distance education, leaving aside people with visual disabilities. We present the results of surveys applied to people with visual disabilities who participated using the software to evaluate their experience as users and their opinions to improve interaction with it. The objective of this study is to make people with visual disabilities feel included in regular educational environments, reducing the barriers that they may encounter in the teaching-learning process in the classroom, and converting them into inclusive classrooms.

Information system for visually impaired in Indian universities: a user’s perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj Kumar Bhardwaj
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online System ◽  
Visually Impaired Students

Purpose This study aims to comprehend the perceptions of visually impaired users in development of information systems in Indian universities. This will help higher educational institutions in India to fulfil information requirements of visually impaired users. Design/methodology/approach A twofold method was used in the study: survey of visually impaired students in four universities; design and development of an online information system for visually impaired (ISVI). A structured questionnaire was used for survey of visually impaired users in Indian universities. The questionnaire with 33 open-ended questions was distributed among 603 visually impaired users and 316 responses were received. Stratified sampling technique was used in data collection. Response rate was 52.4%. The received responses were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19 and presented through tables and figures. Findings Majority of respondents revealed that lack of content availability in vernacular language, poor information resources access mechanism, less volume of course content and poor maintenance of assistive software(s) and devices and non-standardized e-resources compatible with the assistive software(s) are some major inhibits faced. Majority of respondents revealed that they prefer scribes in examinations because use of assistive technology (AT) is time-consuming. Lack of training and confidence in using AT is another reason for preferring scribes in examinations. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted on a limited number of visually impaired uses in Indian universities. Also, the online system ISVI contains a sample collection related to undergraduate courses only. Practical implications This study will help Indian universities to identify problems faced by visually impaired users. Findings of the study can help faculty members, decision-makers to understand the perspective of visually impaired. Besides this, the study can also help government agencies in formulating policies. Findings will help in developing robust information resources suiting the needs of visually impaired. Originality/value This study developed an online system ISVI (www.isvi.in) suitable to address the requirements of visually impaired students. Furthermore, it can guide policymakers, faculty members and information professionals in developing seamless open access information systems.

Current trends and issues affecting academic libraries and leadership skills

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 78-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Aslam
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Academic Libraries ◽  
Effective Leadership ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Ways Of Working ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
The World

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to reflect on major issues and trends of academic libraries and leadership in the changing nature of higher education. Changing environment of academic libraries has impacted significantly on the knowledge, skills requirement and role of the library leaders, and how organizations can maintain and manage the changing nature of academic libraries as well as leadership while effective leadership is extremely required for the library leaders and organizations are concern about future scenarios. The primary objective is to identify the key challenges in libraries, leadership skills and approaches of the leaders, their effective leadership traits and future perceptions are discussed. Design/methodology/approach The aim of this paper is to facilitate as how to develop effective and successful leadership for the academic libraries during the changing nature of higher education. The findings and recommendations in the paper are based on personal experience of leadership positions in an academic library as well as experience of library leaders across the world. Findings Academic libraries are facing similar challenges and issues across the world. This paper identifies that library leaders need to be effective communicators, strategic thinkers, visionary, and able to examine the new ways of working. Originality/value This paper discusses why academic library leaders need a set of new skills and how can they develop leadership skills and competencies in the changing nature of academic libraries.

Networked library access and services delivery for the blind and visually impaired university students: evidence from the UAE

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-124
Author(s):  
Alia Al-Harrasi ◽  
Ahmed Taha
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Special Needs ◽  
Information Acquisition ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Online Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Services Delivery

Purpose The study aims to discuss the special needs-centric information delivery as a new genre of the academic library services. It also sheds light on the assistive technology used to help blind or visually impaired (BVI) students to access the available digital contents and use online services conveniently. A particular emphasis placed on gaining some insights into BVIs’ perceptions towards the orientation and assistance offered by the access service librarians, as well as any experience in using assistive educational technology for reading and information access. Design/methodology/approach The authors used semi-structured interview survey to gather the necessary data from 35 BVI university students drawn from the Special Needs Services (SNS) Unit at the UAE University. The interview was concerned with use of library e-resources and online services for doing their assignments, easy-to-use facilities to access the e-resources and main challenges facing them in communicating with the librarians. Findings The findings revealed that the BVI students considered that the university library does not answer their needs for getting access to digital content and using online services adequately. Practical implications The Main Library should cooperate closely with the SNS Unit to get the most benefits from their experience in the BVI-devoted services to develop an efficient library information discovery and delivery to this student group. Originality/value There is scarcity of scholarly studies on the pedagogical and information acquisition challenges facing the BVI university students in the UAE higher education. This is the first research study that tackles the experience of the BVI students in using the academic library.

scholarly journals DESIGN SPECIAL SCHOOL MATERIAL FOR THE STUDENTS WITH VISUAL DISABILITY USING ( THE KURDISH LANGUAGE FIRST TIME WITH BRAILLE IN THE WORLD ) AND BARCODE TECHNOLOGY

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 14-19
Author(s):  
Yasar A. Al-Jaleeli
Keyword(s):  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Special School ◽  
Official Language ◽  
Visual Disability ◽  
Visual Disabilities ◽  
Visually Impaired People ◽  
The World ◽  
Impaired People ◽  
First Time

Purpose of the study: It has been presented by the researcher in this paper to be relied upon in the design of curricula for visually impaired people using barcode technology in The Kurdish region and the Kurdish speakers, in this paper the researcher use the Kurdish language with the Braille first time in the world and he hopes to add this language to usage of Braille in the next modifying in UNESCO organization because of it is now the second official language in Iraqi law. Methodology: In these study characters of the Kurdish language has been investigated. Students with visual disabilities in the form of various groups gathered to be taught using the signs of Kurdish language. Their progress during this effort has been reported through this article Results: Braille is not exclusive to people without another. It is an easy-to-read and writes tool for people with visual impairments. Although the Kurdish population is more than 30 million, their language is not mentioned in the UNESCO Guide until 2018.

scholarly journals Information Accessibility for Visually Impaired Students

10.47657/1793 ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 16-36
Author(s):  
Maleeha Rafiq Ahmed ◽  
Muhammad Asif Naveed
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Academic Institutions ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
Information Accessibility ◽  
Visually Impaired Students ◽  
The University

This research aimed to explore the actual situation of information accessibility for university students with visual impairment at higher academic institutions of Lahore, Pakistan. This research adopted a qualitative research design using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to investigate the proposed phenomenon. The participants were recruited with purposive sampling from higher academic institutions for data collection. Face to face interview of 15 visually impaired students was conducted using an interview guide. The participants were debriefed for data authentication and verification at the end. Each interview was transcribed and analyzed carefully using IPA. The results indicated that these students utilized interpersonal relationships as the primary source of their academic information. The other available facilities for information access included the internet, disability resources center (if available at the institution), and the university library. The major barriers in accessing needed information included: format barriers, navigational barriers, technical barriers, ICTs illiteracy, and financial barriers. The university administration, especially libraries, should consider students with various disabilities while designing information infrastructure for its community. This research can be used as a guide by library staff in designing need-based information services for students with visual imprisonment. This research would be a worthy contribution to the existing literature as only a few studies were conducted in Pakistan.

scholarly journals DEVELOPING AN INCLUSIVE APPROACH TO TEACHING ENGLISH AS A MAJOR TO VIETNAMESE VISUALLY-IMPAIRED STUDENTS AT ULIS, VNU, HANOI

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Tuan Anh
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Tertiary Level ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
The World ◽  
Inclusive Approach ◽  
Approach To Teaching ◽  
Visually Impaired Students ◽  
And Training

Teritary inclusive education has become more and more popular in the world in different fields of education and training, and ULIS is one of the few foreign-language-specialized universities in Vietnam that have visually-impaired students persuing one of its undergraduate degrees. Through an analysis of the study diary by one of the new visually-impaired graduates at ULIS and a direct interview via telephone, this study focuses on investiating all the elements involved in the making of “a speacial product” and aims to propose a model process of training visually-impaired students at the tertiary level. The results, to a large extent, show a high applicability of the model, provided that interested universities are “really serious” and wish to open the door of opportunities to visually-impaired students.

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