Web challenges faced by blind and vision impaired users in libraries of Delhi

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the challenges faced by blind/vision-impaired users during the web access in the leading academic and special libraries of Delhi, India. Design/methodology/approach – Survey methodology has been used as the basic research tool for data collection with the help of questionnaire. A total of 125 users surveyed in all the five libraries are selected randomly on the basis of willingness of the users to participate in the survey with the experience of working in digital environment. The survey results were tabulated and analysed with descriptive statistics methods using Excel software and “Stata version 11”. Findings – There are various barriers faced by blind/vision-impaired users in the libraries of Delhi (India) during the “web access” with the help of assistive technologies as assistive technology like “Screen Readers” available today are “somewhat compatible” with the web. The facility of “web-based catalogue” is generally lacking in Delhi libraries. Research limitations/implications – The paper does not offer a comprehensive set of web accessibility issues, concentrating instead on the most common problems as epitome of this study. Practical implications – The paper raises awareness of web accessibility issues in libraries of Delhi, India. Originality/value – The paper highlights the web accessibility issues faced by blind/vision-impaired users of leading academic and special libraries of India including the users’ recommendations for the accessible web page/website design for the first time.