ACCESSIBILITY AND UTILISATION OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES BY STUDENTS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS IN BAYERO UNIVERSITY KANO LIBRARY

Abstract

Bayero University Kano has some Assistive Technology tools, but barriers like, malfunctioning or outdated devices are evident, and if these barriers persist, students with visual impairments may remain deprived in their academic work, which undermines the university’s commitment to equity and inclusive education for all. This study investigated the accessibility and utilisation of assistive technologies (AT) among students with visual impairments at the Bayero University Kano Library A mixed-method research design was adopted, combining quantitative data from structured questionnaires (10 respondents), and qualitative data from interviews with six (6) respondents and observations. Findings revealed that there are assistive technologies available such as screen readers, braille translators, magnifiers, and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software, their accessibility and usability remain limited. Students disagreed that the technologies effectively addressed their needs or improved independent access to resources. The results also indicated inadequate awareness and lack of sufficient training.  Respondents strongly emphasised the need for training to improve usage of the Assistive technologies.  Barriers identified include difficulties in using the Assistive technologies, insufficient facilities, limited staff support, and the distance of the library from lecture venues. The study concludes that availability of assistive technologies is insufficient without training, maintenance, and institutional support. The study recommends that university should ensure training, user involvement in evaluating technologies, and policy interventions to ensure equitable and inclusive access to academic resources for students with visual impairment, relocating AT facilities closer to lecture venues or establishing satellite service points within academic buildings to reduce distance barrier, collaborate with academic departments to integrate the use of AT into teaching, coursework, and assignments.