AWARENESS AND USE OF ELECTRONIC RESOURCE BY VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS AT DELHI UNIVERSITY

Abstract

For the purpose of determining if visually impaired students at Delhi University are aware of and making use of online resources, researchers utilized a survey approach that relied on structured interviews to examine 300 students who were blind or partially sighted. Using 'SPSS version 23', the data was evaluated and compiled. More than 90% of visually impaired pupils (90%) are aware of and utilize e-books and e-newspapers, according to the study's findings (83.33 percent). Furthermore, the results of this study are expected to help professionals in libraries and institutions serving the visually impaired to develop effective electronic services to facilitate access to knowledge in a digital environment. trends among others. Institutions. This study's goal is to learn more about the educational institutions' efforts to accommodate blind students and the challenges they face. Students from the University of Delhi who were blind for the duration of the research participated in this investigation. Researchers used a questionnaire they developed after conducting extensive literature reviews on the subject of the present study to interview several pupils with visual disabilities. The purpose of this study was to determine the different services given by their individual universities, assistive technology available in their libraries, and the difficulties experienced by visually impaired students in accessing information via the available resources. Students with visual impairments have access to Braille books, large-screen computers with assistive technology, recorded audiobooks on CDs or cassettes, and other necessary infrastructure, according to the findings of this research. Additionally, libraries provide their patrons a variety of services, including access to tutors and writers to aid in the completion of assignments and exams. A lack of suitable assistance equipment and assistants, a lack of internet connection, and a lack of adequate assistive technology are among the challenges students confront while using the library for their research.