Journals Articles

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Browsing Journals Articles by Author "Stilwell, Christine"

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    'I don't want to be carried like luggage': disability and physical access to Tanzanian academic libraries
    (UNISA Press, 2015-01) Majinge, Rebecca M.; Stilwell, Christine
    This article reports on an empirical study which investigated access for people in wheelchairs and/or with visual impairments to Tanzanian academic libraries. A pragmatism paradigm and Oliver's (1990) social model of disability were employed as well as the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Using quantitative and qualitative methods, questionnaires, interview schedules and an observation checklist were used to collect data. The study sample from the libraries of five Tanzanian higher education institutions (HEIs) totalled 196 respondents. The respondents were library directors, other professional library and disability unit staff, Ministry of Education's Special Needs Unit staff, and people in wheelchairs and/or with visual impairments. The study found that there were no functioning lifts and/or ramps in the academic libraries studied which could have enabled these users to reach the upper floors where the information resources or services were located. For academic libraries to provide services which are inclusive, as well as certain special services for users with disabilities, various guidelines need to be implemented. Examples include library buildings having working lifts and/or ramps, and signage and location devices appropriate for people with visual impairments. The study findings could be used to improve physical access to these academic libraries.
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    ICT Use in Information Delivery to People with Visual Impairment and on Wheelchairs in Tanzanian Academic Libraries
    (African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science, 2014-10) Majinge, Rebecca M.; Stilwell, Christine
    This paper investigated the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in information delivery for people with visual impairment and on wheelchairs in Tanzanian academic libraries. A pragmatism paradigm and the social model of disability of Oliver were employed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Questionnaire, interview schedules and an observation checklist were used to collect data. The study population comprised library directors, other professional library staff, disability unit staff, people with visual impairment, and on wheelchairs and staff from the Ministry of education’s Special Needs Unit. A sample of 196 respondents was surveyed. The study found that ICTs facilitated information provision for people with these disabilities but that there was no adaptive or assistive equipment in Tanzanian academic libraries for them. Academic libraries should install assistive ICT equipment to facilitate information delivery easily, independently and remotely to people with visual impairments and in wheelchairs.
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    Library service provision for people with visual impairments and in wheelchairs in academic libraries in Tanzania
    (South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science, 2013-01) Majinge, Rebecca M.; Stilwell, Christine
    This article is based on a study that examined library services provision for people with visual impairments and in wheelchairs in academic libraries in Tanzania. The article looks at access to the information resources available and the layout of library buildings in five universities in Tanzania. The broader issues in this study were grounded in the importance of access to information as a fundamental right and, particularly, in university studies. The study drew on a pragmatism paradigm and the social model of disability of Oliver which emphasises universal access as the norm. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to conduct survey and observation-based research. The findings reveal that academic libraries provide services to people with visual impairments and in wheelchairs but these services are not inclusive or universal. The study therefore recommends that academic libraries, as manifest in the social model, should strive to provide inclusive services to all users including people with disabilities. To achieve this universal access requires the formulating of policy regarding provision of library services to people with disabilities, providing adequate budgets and staff training. In addition, practical measures are needed such as constructing library buildings with ramps and maintaining working lifts, acquiring Braille and large print information resources, as well as providing assistive equipment.