Challenges Faced by Staff in Provision of Assistive Technology for Visually Impaired Persons in Public Libraries: A Case Study of Kenya National Library Services- Nairobi Branch

Abstract

The study present a case study of the challenges faced in provision of assistive technology in public libraries. The major objectives of the study were to identify available assistive technology products, identify methods used in creating awareness of the available adaptive technology, assess whether staff require special training in provision of assistive services, assess user satisfaction of the available assistive technology and to identify the challenges faced in provision of assistive technology services. The study used a comprehensive assistive technology (CAT) model. This is because the person, context and activities attributes of the CAT model can be used to develop a personal or group assistive technology profile and also the models provide a framework which could be used for the systematic description and evaluation of the use of assistive products by a person in a particular context to carry out specific activities. The evaluation can identify both good design features and any shortcomings or disadvantages of a particular assistive product solution with a view to developing a modified and improved version or other solutions with better performance and that better meet end-user requirements. Data was collected through questionnaires. Both open ended and closed ended questionnaires were used. The result formulated through analysis of questionnaires indicated that very few assistive products were installed in the library, awareness of the available AT products was created during library orientation and library instruction session, library staff needed- special training in order to serve visual impaired patrons in a library environment, and provision of assistive technology services was challenged by old and obsolete technology, limited financial and human resources, complexity of hardware and software, architectural barriers, shortage of digital information, lack of power backups. The study recommend training of library staff provision of adequate funds and Periodical review of policies guiding the implementation of funding for the libraries