Access to library services and facilities by persons with disability: Insights from academic libraries in Ghana

Abstract

A group of the academic library’s vast untapped clientele to whom more attention is now being paid is persons with disability. Drawing from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ checklist on what constitutes disability-friendly libraries, this study sought to ascertain if academic libraries in the Upper East Region of Ghana have made provisions for persons with disability. The research adopted a qualitative approach. The data used for the analysis is drawn from interviews with respondents, the majority of whom were visually or mobility-impaired, who were purposively selected from 11 tertiary institutions. The findings reveal that academic libraries in the Upper East Region have yet to implement the stipulated regulations of the ratified Persons with Disability Act of Ghana. The majority of libraries are inaccessible to persons with disability beyond the main entrance of the libraries. The biggest challenge is the absence of diverse media information for persons with visual and hearing impairments. Also, the findings reveal that library staff lack adequate knowledge of issues relating to persons with disability and their right to access information. The study highlights the challenges which hinder persons with disability from accessing quality information from libraries. The study, therefore, recommends that relevant state institutions be empowered to implement the ratified Persons with Disability Act in Ghana and increase education among stakeholders on the need to improve access to information for persons with disability. Also, there should be increased investment and allocation of funds to libraries to provide for the information needs of persons with disability.

Expectations of student with disability living in off-campus student housing in Ghana: a Gap Model approach

“…Globally, the needs of persons with disability remain topical because of the constant increases in ageing process, population growth and medical improvements (Khetarpal, 2014). Out of the 600 million persons living with disability in the world, 80 million live in Africa (Ayoung et al, 2021). This has raised concerns on the need for pragmatic measures by academic institutions to equally provide facilities that can adequately cater for their needs (Ayoung et al, 2021).…”

“…Out of the 600 million persons living with disability in the world, 80 million live in Africa (Ayoung et al, 2021). This has raised concerns on the need for pragmatic measures by academic institutions to equally provide facilities that can adequately cater for their needs (Ayoung et al, 2021). By this, all stakeholders in education delivery, especially higher learning institutions, have assumed responsibility for protecting the social, economic and political rights of citizens.…”

All-inclusiveness and disability end-user satisfaction in student housing nexus: cognitive dissonance perspective

“…All-inclusive housing has been a pertinent issue in recent times in the housing satisfaction discourse due to discomfort faced by person with disability. In higher learning institutions, all-inclusiveness has gained much attention, for example, in the provision of access to libraries and the services (Ayoung et al , 2021).…”

All-Inclusiveness and End-User Satisfaction in Student Housing Nexus: Cognitive Dissonance Perspective

“…All-inclusive housing has been a pertinent issues in recent times in the housing discourse due to discomfort faced by person with disability. In higher learning institutions, all-inclusiveness have gained much attention in discussing the provision of access to libraries and the services (Ayoung, Baada, & Baayel, 2021). The universal design principles have been the general principle aimed to achieve all-inclusiveness.…”