Information Needs and Information Seeking Behaviour of the Physically Challenged: A Survey of Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care & Treatment Home School Akoka, Lagos

Abstract

Purpose The paper reports a study which investigated information needs and information seeking behaviour of physically challenged people. A literature review revealed a paucity of studies about the information-seeking behaviour of groups of people that are physically challenged. The study focused very specifically on both information needs and seeking behaviour of physically challenged at Modupe Memorial Home, Yaba Lagos. Methodology The techniques for collecting qualitative data included two focus groups involving 45 participants and 15 individual interviewees, from the Home. Findings The findings of the study address issues of information needs, information sources, the role of the library in meeting needs and the barriers to the use of the library. Implication A major conclusion is that people who are physically challenged deserve to be provided with a range of ways of meeting their information needs, as are available for people that are not physically challenged. Value Given the inexorable continuing impact of the information age, it is also concluded that ways must be found so that people with disabilities can participate equitably in the information economy. Paper Type: Research