Perceived Adequacy of Assistive Technology by Special Needs Users in Public Libraries in South-East, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study seeks to ascertain the perceived adequacy of assistive technology by special needs users in

public libraries in South-East, Nigeria. two research questions and one null-hypothesis guided the

study. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. A census sampling technique

which sampled the entire population of 449 respondents in the five public library headquarters in

South East Nigeria (Anambra, Abia, Imo, Enugu and Ebonyi) was adopted for the study. Instrument

for data collection was an interview schedule, validated by three experts, and having a reliability

coefficient value of 0.83. Descriptive statistics of percentage was used to answer research questions 1

& 2. The researcher and 5 research assistants interviewed the respondents (librarians and special

needs users)of the five public library headquarters in South East Nigeria. The null hypothesis was

tested at 0.5 level of significance; with the aid of chi-square (? 2). The findings of the study indicated

that public libraries in south-east are perceived to be adequate more on non-electronic assistive

technologies than electronic assistive technologies. Furthermore, public libraries in Anambra, Abia

and Imo states seems to be better-off with regards to adequacy of assistive technology for special

needs users. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others, that the findings of the study

was useful in guiding the librarians and ministry of education personnel, with the intention of

promoting adequacy of assistive technologies for special needs users in south-east, Nigeria.