‘I DON’T WANT TO BE CARRIED LIKE LUGGAGE’: DISABILITY AND PHYSICAL ACCESS TO TANZANIAN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

Authors

  • Rebecca M Majinge
  • Christine Stillwell

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/0027-2639/844

Keywords:

physical access, academic libraries, Tanzania, visual impairments, users in wheelchairs, social model

Abstract

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.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

African Disability Alliance. 2015. http://www.africadisabilityalliance.org/ (accessed March 17, 2015).

Alemna, A. 1993. Library provision for the blind in Africa. http://forge.fhpotsdam.de/~IFLA/INSPEL/93-4alan.pdf (accessed July 29, 2013).

Anonymous. 2015. Comment by Reviewer 3 on the manuscript submitted to Mousaion.

Bagandanshwa, E.T.T. 1998. Library services for visually impaired and blind people in Tanzania. Huria Journal of the Open University of Tanzania 2(1): 53–59.

Bodaghi, N.B. and A.N. Zainab. 2012. Accessibility and facilities for the disabled in public and university library buildings in Iran. Information Development 29(3): 241–250. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666912461265

Building and Construction Authority. 2013. Code on accessibility in built environment. http://www.bca.gov.sg/BarrierFree/others/ACCESSIBILITY_CODE_2013.pdf (accessed March 10, 2015).

Caga, T. 2011. Factors affecting people with disabilities in the employment sector. MA dissertation,Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth.

Chitereka, C. 2010. People with disabilities and role of social workers in Lesotho. International Online Journal 8(1). http://www.socwork.net/sws/article/view/25/69 (accessed July 21, 2012).

Creswell, JW. 2009. Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach. 3rd ed. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.

Davis, G. 2009. Towards a transformed library and information sector in South Africa: rethinking roles. South African Journal of Library and Information Science 75(2): 131–137. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7553/75-2-93

Dean, E. and L. Demmers. 2004. Universal access in libraries. Libris Design Project. http://www.librisdesign.org (accessed March 26, 2012).

Deines-Jones, C., ed. 2007. Improving library services to people with disabilities. Oxford: Chandos. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1533/9781780631059

Destounis, P., J. Garofalakis, G. Mavritsakis, M. Rigou, S. Sirmakessis and G. Tzimas. 2004. Designing for ease is designing for all experiences from a simplified office suite. Information Technology and People 17(3): 286–302. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/09593840410554193

Ginnerup, S. 2009. Achieving full participation through Universal Design. Strasbourg: Council of Europe. http://www.coe.int/t/dg3/disability/source/Universal_design.pdf (accessed March18, 2015).

Grobbelaar-Du Plessis, I. and T. van Reenen, eds. 2011. Aspects of disability law in Africa. Pretoria: Pretoria University Law Press.

Heaven, S. 2004. The provision made by higher education library services for people with disabilities. Library and Information Research 23(90): 24–30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29173/lirg169

Holmes, J.L. 2008. Patrons with developmental disabilities: A needs assessment survey. New Library World 109(11/12): 533–545. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800810921340

Igun, S. 2006. Orientation on library use for new students, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria. Library Hi Tech News 23(10): 18–20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/07419050610730061

Imrie, R. and M. Kumar. 2010. Focusing on disability and access in the built environment. Disability and Society 13(3): 357–374. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599826687

Irvall, B. and G.S. Nielsen. 2005. Access to libraries for persons with disabilities – checklist. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), professional Report No. 89. The Hague: IFLA. http://www.ifla.org/files/assets/hq/publications/professionalreport/89.pdf (accessed March 18, 2015).

Kaijage, J.J.L. 1991. An assessment of library and information services for the visually impaired, with particular reference to information needs of visually impaired university students and information plans for Tanzania. MLib dissertation, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Kharamin, F. and H. Siamian. 2011. The survey of public library services for visually impaired and blind in public libraries (case study Mazandaran province librarian: Iran). Singapore: International Association of Computer Science and Information Technology (IACSIT) Press.

Kothari, C.R. 2004. Research methodology: Methods and techniques. 2nd ed. New Delhi: New Age International.

Leong, I.C.B. and S.E. Higgins. 2010. Public library services for wheelchair-bound young people in Singapore. London: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2010.502033

Mackenzie, A., M. Hurst and C. Crompton. 2009. Defining disability in the participation and activity limitation survey. Canadian Social Trends 88: 55. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/11008-x/2009002/article/11024-eng.htm (accessed March 26, 2012).

Magara, E. and J.B. Nyumba. 2004. Towards a school library development policy for Uganda. Library Review 53(6): 313–322. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530410544402

Majinge, R.M. 2014. Library services’ provision for people with visual impairments and in wheelchairs in academic libraries in Tanzania. PhD thesis, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg. http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10413/10709/Majinge_Rebecca_Mgunda_2014.pdf?sequence=3 (accessed September 1, 2014).

Majinge, R.M. and C. Stilwell. 2013. Library services provision for people with visual impairments and in wheelchairs in academic libraries in Tanzania. South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science 79(2): 39–50.

Majinge, R.M. and C. Stilwell. 2014. ICT use in information delivery for people with visual impairments and on wheelchairs in Tanzanian academic libraries. African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science 24(2): 151–159. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7553/79-2-147

Maredith, K. 2009. Disability, education and development: Perspectives from Tokelau. MA dissertation, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington.

Ndumbaro, R. 2009. Library and information services provision for people with visual impairment in selected university and public libraries in Tanzania. MA dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.

Newton, R., M. Ormerod and P. Thomas. 2007. Disabled people’s experience in the workplace environment in England. Equal Opportunities International 26(6): 610–623. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/02610150710777079

Ochoggia, R.E. 2003. Persons with Disabilities Bill 2002: Implications concerning visual disabilities for academic library and Information Services in Kenya. New Library World 104(1190/ 1191): 307–312. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800310488086

Okello-Obura, C. and I.M.N. Kigongo-Bukenya. 2011. Library and information science education and training in Uganda: Trends, challenges and the way forward. Makerere: Education Research International. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/705372

Oliver, M. 1990. The politics of disablement: A sociological approach. New York: St. Martin’s Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-20895-1

Onatola, A. 2007. Reaching people with disabilities in developing countries through academic libraries. In Improving library services to people with disabilities, ed. C. Deines-Jones, 87– 104. Oxford: Chandos. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-84334-286-1.50005-5

Prytherch, R. 1995. Harrod’s librarians’ glossary of terms used in librarianships, documentation and the book craft and reference book. 8th ed. Aldershot: Gower.

Punch, K.F. 2009. Introduction to research methods in education. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.

Putnam, M. 2002. Linking aging theory and disability models: Increasing the potential to explore aging with physical impairments. Gerontologist 42(6): 799–806. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/42.6.799

Radermacher, H.L. 2006. Participatory action research with people with disabilities: exploring experiences of participation. PhD thesis, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington.

Riddell, S. 1998. Chipping away at the mountain: Disabled students’ experience of higher education. International Studies in Sociology of Education 8(2): 203–222. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09620219800200025

Robertson, L. 2001. Access for library users with disabilities. London: Society of Colleges National and University Libraries. http://www.sconul.ac.uk/publications/pubs/access_disabilities.pdf (accessed September 26, 2012).

SADPD see Secretariat of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities.

Secretariat of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities. 2012. http://african-decade.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Brochure_Print.pdf (accessed March 17, 2015).

Seyama, L., C.D. Morris and C. Stilwell. 2014. Information seeking behaviour of blind and visually impaired students: A case study of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus. Mousaion 32(1): 1–22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25159/0027-2639/1697

Shava, K. 2008. How and in what ways can Western models of disability inform and promote the empowerment of disabled people and their participation in mainstream Zimbabwean society? MA dissertation, University of Leeds, Leeds.

Tanzania League of the Blind. 2008. http://www.tanzanialeagueblind.org/news.php (accessed August 5, 2012).

Todaro, A.J. 2005. Library services for people with disabilities in Argentina. New Library World 106(1212/1213): 253–268. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800510595869

Tungaraza, F.D. 2010. Accomplishments and challenges facing students with disabilities at the University of Dar es Salaam: Thirty years of navigating the hill. Dar es Salaam: University of Dar es Salaam.

United Republic of Tanzania. 2004. National Policy on Disability. Dar es Salaam: Ministry of Labour, Youth and Development and Sports.

United Republic of Tanzania. 2010. Persons with Disabilities Act 9 of 2010. Dar es Salaam: Parliament of the URT.

UniversalDesign.com. 2015. What is universal design? http://www.universaldesign.com/aboutuniversal-design.html (accessed March 18, 2015).

URT see United Republic of Tanzania.

WHO see World Health Organization.

World Health Organization. 2001. International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Geneva: WHO. World Health Organization. 2002. Towards a common language for functioning, disability and health: the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Geneva: WHO.

Downloads

Published

2016-01-25

How to Cite

Majinge, Rebecca M, and Christine Stillwell. 2015. “‘I DON’T WANT TO BE CARRIED LIKE LUGGAGE’: DISABILITY AND PHYSICAL ACCESS TO TANZANIAN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES”. Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies 33 (1):80-102. https://doi.org/10.25159/0027-2639/844.

Issue

Section

Articles