Assistive Technologies used in Canadian University Libraries for the Visually Impaired

ORCID Identifiers

0000-0002-2005-1177

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Library Philosophy and Practice

Publication Date

7-2022

Abstract

Information has always been a catalyst for societal improvements. Libraries play a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to information resources. Enhanced accessibility helps in establishing an atmosphere that supports and promotes inclusive education. Information and resource access is quite a challenge for visually impaired people. The needs of people with varying levels of visual impairment differ in their range and magnitude. The use of assistive technologies greatly aids in closing this gap. Resource and accessibility provisions should be modified to meet the needs of visually impaired users, who need specialized equipment to access traditional and modern technology-based information resources. University libraries worldwide have used many assistive technologies to make it easier for patrons who are blind to access information resources. This research is a preliminary examination of the Dalhousie University Library's (2021) website for the assistive technology tool used to support visually impaired patrons and students. The research examines the assistive technologies used by Canadian university libraries similar to Dalhousie Libraries and offers potential implementation recommendations for Dalhousie Libraries to increase their arsenal of assistive technologies to support and promote access to visually impaired users

ISSN

1522-0222

Publisher

University of Nebraska

Disciplines

Library and Information Science

Indexed in Scopus

no

Open Access

yes

Open Access Type

Bronze: This publication is openly available on the publisher’s website but without an open license

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