Abstract
Access to information for all is a major component of library and information science in this digital era. Libraries in institutions of higher learning are mandated to provide information to all the patrons regardless of their ability to deal with the issue of inclusivity and social justice. A study on the innovations was conducted specifically for patrons with special needs in academic libraries. Different assistive technological types of equipment were outlined as well as the challenges encountered when using the assistive technology tools and applications. The observation was done at one of the academic libraries, and it was discovered that the library has a disability center that is used by patrons with special needs and manned by a trained librarian. The authors recommend the introduction of such services in all the academic libraries to cater to patrons with special needs.
TopBackground To The Study
The concept of inclusivity is understood as a way of minimizing or eliminating of barriers to students who participate in traditional settings (i.e., schools, homes, communities, libraries and workplaces) and the maximization of resources to support learning and participation in communities. (Mpofu 2004). In institutions of Higher learning and Library settings, inclusivity results in students’ with various needs being able to partake courses that needs practical, such as, mathematics, sciences, and statistics. Innovations such as the development of assistive technologies empower people with special to understand and enhance learning and knowledge skills that are required in education and their areas of study. According to (Mpofu 2004) In Zimbabwe, there is no specific legislation of inclusive education although government policy issues are consistent with the intent of inclusive education. As such, innovations in technology have seen students with specific needs being embraced and considered in institutions of higher learning. Such students with unique or special needs, such as, those with low vision, totally blindness and those who are physically challenged are now able to partake science courses with the aid of assistive technological Innovations that will be outlined in the chapter. Assistive technology seeks to enhance the liberty to independent learning which this chapter seeks to evaluate the innovations in minimizing the barrier to effective teaching and learning of students with special needs in institutions of higher learning. With this background the writers seek to observe the use of assistive technological tools in narrowing the gap between the traditional teaching and learning concept and the use of assistive technology.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Assistive Technology: Devices and services that are used to increase, maintain, or improve the capabilities of people with a disability.
Web Accessibility: The ability to perceive, understand, navigate, interact with, and contribute to the web by people with special needs. This help in providing equal access and opportunity to people with disabilities.
Disability: Any physical impairment that may hinder day to day functioning of an individual and require dependence on others.
Institutions of Higher Learning: It is a college, university, technical, or business school offering post-secondary level academic instruction leading to the award of a certificate, diploma, or degree.
JAWS: It stands for Job Access With Speech which is a screen reader software used to navigate computer applications using keystrokes. The software converts text into speech or braille and can be used with Microsoft Suite, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Internet explorer, and Firefox.
Optical Character Recognition: It is the electronic or mechanical conversion of images of typed, handwritten or printed text into machine coded text.
Innovation: Introduction of something new that creates value.
Visual Impairment: It is any kind of vision loss, whether it is not seeing at all or having partial vision loss.
Artificial Intelligence: It is the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions.
Hearing Impairment: Hearing loss which can be permanent or fluctuating that adversely affect a person’s educational performance.