Problems Faced by Physically Challenged Students in Accessing and Utilizing the Library Resources and Services of College Students in India

By : M. Murugan , R. Jeyshankar

Page No: 470-484

Abstract
This study explores the personal and institutional issues confronted by physically challenged UG and PG college students of India in accessing and utilising the library resources and services. The data was collected from 27 randomly selected colleges. Census method was employed to select the respondents. A well-structured questionnaire was employed to collect the required data. 129 respondents participated in the study. The study reveals that: The most prominent personal issues faced by the respondents in accessing the library, its resources and services include lack of ICT skills, difficulty to reach the library, lack of internet skills, lack of computer skills and difficulty to get required information by themselves. The institutional issues most agreed by the respondents include insufficient space, materials and equipment, no disability-friendly furniture, inadequacy of recent publications and current journals and lack of guidance about use of library resources and services. Nature of disability, studying district and gender do not, but studying course and studying department do have an impact on the institutional problems faced by the respondents.

Authors :
M. Murugan : Research Scholar (Part Time), Department of Library and Information Science, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India.
R. Jeyshankar : Associate Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/PROD.2021.61.04.10