Provision of Alternative Formats of Information Resources for Inclusive Library Services of Visually Impaired Primary School Pupils in Southeast, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper sought to determine the provision of alternative formats of information resources for inclusive library services of visually impaired primary school pupils in Southeast Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 129 respondents, comprising of 125 visually impaired pupils and four librarians from the four special education centres in Southeast Nigeria. One research question guided the study. Two instruments were used for data collection which includes an observation checklist, and interview guide. Data collected with the checklist were analyzed using frequency counts, while those from interviews were analyzed qualitatively and integrated into the discussion of findings. The findings showed that alternative formats of information resources such as Braille textbooks and audio collections were not provided in many subjects in the libraries under study. Braille textbooks in almost all the subjects taught in the schools, including core subjects like English language and mathematics were not available. Even the ones available were old editions of textbooks. Also, it was revealed that other information resources except storybooks were scantly provided in alternative formats. Hence, the study concluded that the provision of alternative formats of information resources in special education centre libraries in Southeast Nigeria is inadequate. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that the government should have a written policy statement on the provision of alternative formats of information resources for the visually impaired so that it will serve as a guide for the provision of information resources to special education centres, in order to ensure inclusive library services for the visually impaired.