A current awareness system for the visually impaired students at Makerere University Library

Abstract

The study aimed at creating a current awareness system that will keep the visually impaired students at Makerere University updated about new acquisitions in the main library. The objectives that guided the study were namely; to investigate the different types of Current awareness services that can be offered to the visually impaired people; to identify the challenges faced by the visually impaired students in accessing information and services from the Makerere University main library; to identify the requirements for the design of a current awareness system for the visually impaired students. A case study was conducted using the qualitative research method. The researchers adopted different data collection methods which included; questionnaires, interviews, document review and observation method. The researchers collected data from 10 visually impaired aired students and 2 librarians making a total of 12 respondents. During the study, the researchers found out that the visually impaired students at Makerere University do not have any current awareness services offered specifically to them and they face challenges mainly the lack of computers with JAWS, lack of brailed textbooks, and lack of ICTs that are specially designed for them. However, it was realized that the library provides CAS services but still a few served the visually impaired students, but this was alluded to challenges namely; computer illiteracy of some visually impaired students and limited financing. Owing to this, the researchers developed a CAS system to update the visually impaired students as indicated in chapter 5 of this report. The major components of the system are; Selective Dissemination of Information, publication of current contents, and publication of new lists of arrivals. In summary, the library widely provides information that favors all students with the SWDs inclusive, however there is no effective inclusivity and special CAS services for the visually impaired students in terms of CAS services so as to update them about the information and resources of the library. The researchers therefore developed a CAS system for the visually impaired and propose that it is implemented to serve the information needs of the visually impaired. On top of that, the researchers recommended that the university should finance and support the CAS system and services, and always provide inclusive measures to support the needs of the visually impaired students.