Towards Sustainable Development Goals: What Role for Academic Libraries in Nigeria in Assuring Inclusive Access to Information for Learners with Special Needs?

This study surveyed the facilities and services available for inclusive and equitable quality education for physically challenged and visually impaired students in Nigeria. The study was guided by five research objectives. The population of the study consists of physically challenged and visually impaired students from six Federal Government funded universities in six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Interviews and focus group discussion were used for data collection. The data collected were analysed qualitatively. The result showed that among the six universities studied only one has a special section for this category of users, although others are making efforts towards having such a facility. Though the students indicated that they receive various kinds of library services, it was found that these services were not very effectively presented. The challenges identified include lack of assistive technology to aid their access to information, unavailability of lifts in to facilitate their movement, especially to floors where ICT facilities and other resources are located. The study highlighted that for inclusive and equitable quality education for people with disability, access to information is important; and since the library plays a key role in providing this access, there is need to develop policies and put structures in place to cater for students with special needs. Based on the findings, the investigators came up with a model for Inclusive access to information for students with special needs.