Quest for information by the employed visually handicapped readers in library around Nairobi area: situational analysis.

Abstract

When planning and establishing public libraries, academic or special libraries, there is one section of the society which is usually overlooked, that is, the section of the employed visually handicapped or the blind. In the schools and training centres, they are taken care of , but as soon as they finish their formal education and are employed, there is no provision for their information needs.

This study is meant to create awareness of the existing scarcity of information to the working class visually handicapped readers. It is believed that the planners can make relevant intervention to alleviate this situation if they were made aware of the problems that the visually handicapped are experiencing at the moment. The study will offer suggestions to libraries and policy makers on how the situation could be corrected.

To facilitate the collection of data, the visually handicapped themselves who will be chosen at random will be asked to fill questionnaires. They will be expected to fill in their personal experiences. The libraries too will fill in the questionnaires to indicate what they are doing about the situation.

It is expected that if the blind working class readers are provided with the necessary opportunities in the accessibility to information like the sighted, they will realise their talents