Abstract
The study investigated information needs and
seeking behaviour of people with special needs: The Blind. The specific
objectives were to: identify information sources available at Afara Special
School of the blind, Umuahia, Abia state; identify the information needs of the
blind physically challenged; ascertain the information sources the blind use to
meet their needs; ascertain challenges they encounter in the use of the
information sources and explore ways through which information services could
be improved for them. The study was carried out using descriptive survey
research design. The population ofthis study consisted of 43 human resources
and managers which includes teaching and non-teaching staff and 102 students
making a total of 145. The instrument used for data collection is the interview.
The collected data were presented in tables and analyzed using frequency and
mean. The study found that the blind and physically challenged need information
for their development socially, personally, recreationally, skilfully,
educationally and vocationally and they source this information through talking
books, tape recorders, Braille books, Digital Accessible Information Systems,
libraries, E-books, computer workstations. Challenges that affect their
information use include the absence of library orientation programs,
insufficient library materials, inadequate reading equipment, lack of
technology, inadequate personnel (Librarian) and inadequate library space
amongst others. Based on the findings, the study recommended that: the special
school should add three-dimensional models; apparatus to be modified, an
electronic light probe to be used for exploring parts inaccessible to fingers,
skeleton, and pictures which shall be useful to the blind students, the special
school needs additional assertive devices including personal computers with
speech output to access information and enough qualified personnel with special
skills to teach the students with visual impairmentsfor them to move safely
should be recruited. Keywords: Information need, seeking behaviour, physically
challenged, The Blind
EDWARD, A (2024). Information Need And Seeking Behavior Of Physically Challenged-The Blind:- Edward Amadi C.. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Dec 09, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/information-need-and-seeking-behavior-of-physically-challenged-the-blind-edward-amadi-c-7-2
AMADI, EDWARD. "Information Need And Seeking Behavior Of Physically Challenged-The Blind:- Edward Amadi C." Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 06 Aug. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/information-need-and-seeking-behavior-of-physically-challenged-the-blind-edward-amadi-c-7-2. Accessed 09 Dec. 2024.
AMADI, EDWARD. "Information Need And Seeking Behavior Of Physically Challenged-The Blind:- Edward Amadi C.". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 06 Aug. 2024. Web. 09 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/information-need-and-seeking-behavior-of-physically-challenged-the-blind-edward-amadi-c-7-2 >.
AMADI, EDWARD. "Information Need And Seeking Behavior Of Physically Challenged-The Blind:- Edward Amadi C." Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2024). Accessed 09 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/information-need-and-seeking-behavior-of-physically-challenged-the-blind-edward-amadi-c-7-2