INFORMATION RESOURCES AND SERVICE PROVISION FOR THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED USERS IN SPECIALEDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS’ LIBRARIES INPLATEAUSTATE.

ABSTRACT

The study investigated information resources and service provision for the physically challenged users in special educational institutions libraries in plateau state. The purpose of the study was to determine the resources and information service provision and use among physically challenged users in special educational institutions (SEI) in plateau state. Descriptive survey research design was adopted with questionnaires and an observation checklist as the instrument for data collection where research assistance were used to administer questionnaires, while the researcher personally checked and list the available resources using observation checklist. The population of 1056 physically challenged (PC) users {comprising of all users attending the special educational institutions and the staff working in the library that supports the special educational institutions in plateau state}was sampled using a multi – stage sampling technique which brought the sampled respondents in the three (3) special educational institutions (SEI) to 317 respondents. The three selected institutions were GindiriSchool for the Blind, Special Education Department of University of Jos and PlateauSchool for the Deaf. Data was collected using structured questionnaires titled “questionnaire on library and information resources and service provision for physically challenged (PC) users {LIRSPPCQ} for both students and staff and an observation checklist which the researcher personally used to check and list the available resources. Data collected was analyzed using frequency and percentages, mean and standard deviation all presented in tables to answer research questions. It was discovered from the study that most of the essential information resources and service provision that is meant for the physically challenged (PC) users in the three (3) special educational institutions (SEI) libraries such as book scanners, general scanners with software, talking books, Kuzweille reader ( a text – to speed reading machine with synthesized speed output) , low stack to enable the physically challenged access information resources, ramp to access facilities for the physically challenged users on wheel chairs, CCTV magnifying aid etc. are not available for the physically challenged users in the three (3) special educational institutions (SEI) libraries under study. Even the ones available, it was revealed from the study that, they were not adequate and so they were the most used information resources and service provision for the physically challenged users in the three (3) special educational institutions (SEI) libraries under study. Respondents said they were not satisfied with almost all the resources and services provided in these special educational institutions’ libraries under study. Respondents (PC) were of the view that the major obstacles/problems to the use of libraries are lack of  all the relevant information resources/facilities and service provision available such as Braille machine, circulation services, use of Braille, library orientation service, sub – titled DVD and Videos (for the Deaf) etc. Another major obstacle discovered to be militating against information resources and service provision for the physically challenged (PC) users in these special educational institutions (SEI) in plateau state is lack of funds. Therefore, the provision of the above mentioned obstacles will                                                                      

serve as strategies that will enhance the provision of information resources and services for the physically challenged (PC) users in the three special educational institutions (SEI) libraries. Also increase funding or special budgetary provision for the SEI libraries and proper utilization of such funds meant for the SEI libraries were identified as the major solutions for making information resources and service provision available in these SEI libraries in plateau state. The need for collaboration between parent institution and Non – Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to enhance effective provision and use of information resources and service by the physically challenged users in plateau state is highly recommended.