User’s Perspective Towards Assistive Technologies Available in NCR Libraries of India

  • Gareema Sanaman National Institute of Technology, Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand-246174.
  • Shailendra Kumar University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India.
Keywords: Assistive technology, people with disabilities, NCR, assistive software, assistive hardware, blind/vision-impaired user, deaf/hearing-impaired user, locomotor-impaired user

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the user’s awareness and satisfaction level with the available assistive technology (AT) facilities for the people with disabilities in National Capital Region (NCR) libraries of India. Survey method and questionnaire has been used as the basic tool for data collection along with personal interviews of the experts. A total of 375 users in all the 15 libraries were selected randomly on the basis of willingness of the users to participate in the survey with the experience of working in digital environment. The survey results were tabulated and analysed with descriptive statistics methods using Excel software and ‘Stata version 11’. People with disabilities have a good to fair understanding of the AT concepts and products. The users ‘Strongly agree’ towards the need of the AT to work in the digital environment. The study depicts lack of AT facilities in NCR libraries of India. Majority of users are ‘Not satisfied’ with available AT facilities and face various barriers in the use of AT in NCR libraries. This study will prove useful for the LIS professionals and the research community to provide an insight into the current status of the AT available in NCR libraries, India. This study is first to explore the viewpoint of people with disabilities regarding the ATs available in NCR libraries of India.

 

DOI: 10.14429/djlit.35.2.8274

 

Author Biographies

Gareema Sanaman, National Institute of Technology, Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand-246174.

Assistant Librarian
Library and Information Centre
NIT, Uttarakhand

Shailendra Kumar, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India.

Department of Library and Information Science,

University of Delhi, Delhi.

Published
2015-03-20
How to Cite
Sanaman, G., & Kumar, S. (2015). User’s Perspective Towards Assistive Technologies Available in NCR Libraries of India. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology, 35(2). https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.35.2.8274
Section
Papers