Disability Inclusion: Accessibility of Library and Information Services to People with Visual Impairment in Public Libraries in Harare: Zimbabwe. The Missing Link:

Abstract

The major thrust of the research study was mainly driven by the need to determine the accessibility and effectiveness of library and information services to students with visual impairment in Harare. Provision of library and information services to students and other people with visual impairment is a right enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the rights of people with disabilities (UNCRPD,2006). The study was informed by the interpretivism research philosophy which in part entails listening, observations and recording. The qualitative research approach was used by way of interviews, observations, documentary analysis and focus groups. In line with the approach, the study relied on the phenomenological research design. The population included former and current university students with visual impairment in Harare. The sample therefore covered thirty former and current Higher education students in Harare. The study established that the physical accessibility of public libraries to students with visual impairment leaves a lot to be desired and therefore needs concerted effort to address. Secondly the study also found out that the expertise of library staff in assisting students with visual impairment also needs to be revisited with a view to improving service provision to the constituency of students with visual impairment. It was also revealed that in the libraries themselves, there was limited access to library reading and study materials. In some cases, these materials were non-existent. The use of third parties to assist students with visual impairment was also found to be shortchanging students since this depended on several competing interests on the part of the person being assisted and the one assisting. The study also established that while sighted users could use electronic ways to access library services, this did not apply to users with visual impairment. The study recommended that the institution needed a library policy for users with visual impairment. There was need for advocacy to improve accessibility. There was also a need for an accessibility audit or needs analysis. Library resources also needed to be increased in both quality and quantity.