Adaptive Equipment Technology for Disabled Users at University Libraries in Karnataka A Study of Facilities and Services

Abstract

Adaptive Equipment Technologies are very essential for disabled users to access facilities newlineand information sources of the library. The present research focuses on the existing newlinefacilities and services of the library with adaptive equipment technology established by newlinethe universities in the state of Karnataka. Further, extent of use of technology for reading newlinepurpose is surveyed and also to what extent the disabled students are familiar with use of newlinevarious hardware and software are identified. Study covered 52 university libraries which newlinehave admitted disabled students. Libraries are extending facilities and services for newlinedisabled users with adaptive equipment technology in the University Libraries of newlineKarnataka. Questionnaires are designed for both disabled students and librarians and newlineresponses have been obtained from 245 disabled students and 52 librarians which account newlinefor 86% and 90%, respectively. Several aspects pertaining to the availability of various newlineadaptive technologies and the facilities and services extended by the university libraries newlineare covered in this study. The extent of use of various adaptive technologies, assistance newlinefor reading rendered by librarians is covered. Further, the study also covered various newlinerestrictions in using adaptive technology by the students. The research has also dealt in newlinedetail about the performance of university libraries in meeting needs of the disabled newlinestudents. The study has also focused on the awareness of various facilities and provisions newlineextended by the Government (both Central and State) for the disabled students, especially newlineregarding constitutional provisions, disability acts, educational schemes for disabled newlineusers, new initiatives and schemes in progress. The important aspect is that of efficiency newlinein handling adaptive technology among the disabled students, as well as, librarians are newlinealso taken into account. The study also projected training requirement of the disabled newlinestudents so that they are familiar with use of adaptive technology. Training makes them newlineself-reliant in