Access to Information Resources by Students with Disabilities: Case Study Dar al-Hikmah IIUM Library

The lack of library services including information materials become the major problem among developing countries, based on the study of related literature, it was found that, some other developing countries such as South East Nigeria, Tanzania, and other African countries are also suffered from the limited collection for disabled students. As demonstrated by (Ekwelem, 2013) that the only electronic resources available to visually impaired library users in South East Nigeria just taped books and Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC). The author also found that all the listed materials for the mobility impairment were not available in any of the studied Universities. In addition to that, in the same country, the following years, (Adetoro, 2015), (P. C. Iroeze, Umunnakwe, & Eze, 2017), and (P. C. et. al. Iroeze, 2018) also studied about library services, including information materials by persons with visual impairment and physical challenged in South East Nigeria noted that the information materials provided for them still were inadequate and out-dated. wheelchairs. However, these services are not inclusive or universal. In conjunction with this, the researcher demonstrated as well that there is no alternative information resources for people with visual impairments in academic libraries in Tanzania and therefore people with visual impairments utilize normal print information resources for which the universities employ readers who read for them (Majinge & Stilwell, 2014). From this case, it can be concluded that the majority of developing countries have the same problems regarding the availability of their library information resources for persons with disabilities, almost all the countries still do not have enough resources till these days. Then, in Malaysian context, several Malaysian Universities also already opened Disability Services Units (DSU) since the number of disabled people joining the college are becoming more increasingly from time to time. Other than that, some Universities libraries in Malaysia already offered the facilities and services for users with special disabilities. However, the researcher studies about library services for special needs revealed that the services provided in Malaysian Universities libraries for special needs still need to be more improved and the quantity of information resources provided in Malaysia Universities library also is still very small, Salim, Siti Mawarni (2017). Hence, library information resources must be improved for students with disability in order to support their need on their study. At the same time, to encourage them to continuously utilized the resources. Therefore, this case still become the main challenges among Malaysian libraries stakeholders. The aim of the researcher conducting this study is to identify library information resources for students with disability in Dar al-Hikmah Library International Islamic University Malaysia. 2. Literature Review The enhancement of information resources in library absolutely is really expected by disability persons in order to get varied collections and to fulfill their necessity. Today each library is required to be focused on disability user-oriented meaning that every single information material that library provide to the user, it must be suitable with their need. In recent time, some library, whether academic or public libraries are already aware of the increasing quantity of information materials, unfortunately some library in developing countries also still in the process of preparing their collection. Below is a glace about the condition of information services in developing countries’ libraries, regardless the overview of their information resources. (Majinge & Stilwell, 2013) in their study library services provision for people with visual impairments and in wheelchairs in academic libraries in Tanzania, more focusing on looking at access to the information resources available and the layout of library buildings in five universities in Tanzania. This study adopted both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to conduct survey and observation-based research. The findings reveal that academic libraries provide services to people with visual impairments and in wheelchairs but these services are not inclusive or universal. The study therefore recommends that academic libraries, as manifest in the social model, should strive to provide inclusive services to all users including people with disabilities. In addition, practical measures are needed such as constructing library buildings with ramps and maintaining working lifts, acquiring Braille and large print information resources, as well as providing assistive equipment. After that, as stated by (Atabor, 2015) in his study on Information Needs and Use of Library Resources by Special Needs Students in Selected Government Schools in Kaduna State and Federal Capital Territor , Abuja , Nigeria, Using a structured questionnaire for two respondent groups (i.e., special needs students and teachers/librarians). A total of 5 teachers/librarians and 345 special needs students were selected for the study. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statisticsf ound out that the special needs students have high needs for information on education, employment opportunities, health matter, and human rights. The major information resources in the libraries are books, magazines, newspapers, and few Braille materials. In general, special needs students have a moderate level of satisfaction with the resources in the libraries. The major issue identified by special needs students is insufficient information resources, especially in Braille. On the part of the teachers/librarians, inadequate funds for the acquisition of information resources and the employment of qualified librarians/teachers are found to be the major challenges faced by the libraries The following one, (Adetoro, 2015), studied on the availability and use of information materials by persons with visual impairment in Nigeria. This study adopts a survey research design, the population of study is 563 persons with visual impairment (the blind and partially sighted) who are users of information materials in alternative formats in fourteen (14) selected libraries. This study has shown that Braille materials and talking books/audio recordings were either not readily available or not available in the libraries while large prints were clearly not available. Braille remained the most utilized because it is the most available. Availability of information materials in the libraries had positive relationship with its utilisation. This study has made it clear that information materials for persons with visual impairment are not adequate in the libraries and this cannot ensure appreciable utilization levels and a sustained information service delivery on the face of high demand for alternative formats. Furthermore, (Agboke, 2015), in his study investigated the Availability of Captions Resources and Library Patronage by Hearing Impaired Students in University Libraries of South-South Nigeria. One research question and one hypothesis was formulated to guide the study and tested at .05 level of significance. Survey research design was employed. The population for the study was 57 hearing impaired students from 10 universities in South-South Nigeria. The findings revealed that significant relationship exists between availability of captions resources and library patronage by hearing impaired students. The findings also revealed the nonavailability and patronage of captions resources by hearing impaired students. The study concludes that the provision of captions resources for the hearing impaired students in university libraries in South- South Nigeria will increased patronage. (Igwebuike & Agbo, 2015) in his study highlighted that, the need to access libraries is not one that we need to contend. Libraries provide us with a vast resources of knowledge whereby a person can access books, journals, periodicals, newspapers, patents, standards, conference proceedings, reports, CD-ROMs, etc. Today with the advent of digital libraries, collections are stored in digital formats and accessible by computers, also. People who are physically challenged should also have access to both that is physical libraries as well as digital libraries. Libraries are also a point of access whereby resources can be pooled and used by a large cross-section of the society. Therefore, making libraries accessible is important for the growth and development of the society. The next, (Ekwelem, 2013), noted that the purpose of his study was to explore the use of electronic resources by disabled library users in south-east Nigeria. A survey method using interview style data collection method was deemed appropriate than administering a questionnaire. The interview was done by colleagues in the studied universities. All of the disabled student users were requested to participate in the study. Using interview style method, 194 disabled library users made up of 101 visually impaired and 93 mobility challenged provided the data. Findings showed that the only electronic resources available to visually impaired library users are taped books and online public access catalogue (OPAC). It was also found that all the listed items for the mobility challenged were not available in any of the studied universities. For the visually impaired, the findings favoured all the listed items except “Tactile Graphic” as been relevant to their use of electronic resources. Other than that, (Burke, 2009) The American Library Association Council also suggested enhancements to communication include “print materials available in alternative formats such as large type, audio recording, Braille, and electronic formats.” Suggestions for collections include both having materials on a variety of topics in alter- native formats and having up-todate materials “on the spectrum of disabilities, disability issues, and services for people with disabilities, their families, and other concerned persons. As stated by (Irvall & Nielsen, 2005) that specifically for user reading disability, the library have to produce materials in which can be easily to access. The number of materials that may offer including talking books, easy-to-read books, Braille books and large print books, which in some countries are commercially produced and in other countries produced by the Library for the Blind. Based on International Federation Library Association (IFLA), there must be a guide tours for abled and disabled groups in the Library. Since numerous users probably have difficulties reading information regarding the library. The recommended information in library that required Furthermore, in other African countries such as Tanzania, the researcher also found that the academic libraries in this country provide services to people with visual impairments and in to provide in the alternative format, for instance, information about access, services, materials, and programs, (Irvall & Nielsen, 2005). Required information resources for disability patrons based on IFLA Checklist namely, the first, particularly for visually impaired user groups should be given such as, information in large print, information on audio tape, CD/DVD, or in DAISY format, information in braille, and information on the library’s accessible website. The second, the suitable information materials for deaf or hearing impaired persons, including, Information in subtitled and/or sign language videos, Information via text telephones and/or email, Information on the library’s accessible website (audio information should also be available as text, Easy-toread text for patrons who were born deaf or became deaf before acquiring language skills. The third, for persons with reading difficulties (persons with dyslexia or weak readers), they must be provided, information material such as, information written in an easy-to-read text, information on audio/video tape, CD/DVD, or in Daisy format, and information on the library’s accessible website. The following one, for persons with physical disabilities, it should offer some information on audio/video tape or on CD/DVD or in DAISY format, and also information on accessible website. Then the last one, for cognitively disabled persons’ information resources, such as, information in an easy-to-read format, information on audio/video tape, CD/DVD, or in DAISY format and also Information on the library’s accessible website.

Research as a part of academic task and such the term have to be used in a technical sense, (C.R. Kothari, 2004). In addition, (Mertens, 2010) revealed that research is one of many different methods of knowing and understanding. A research which employs a quantitative or numeric description of trends, attitudes, or opinions of a population by studying a sample of that population named as a research survey design. From sample results, the researcher generalizes or draws inferences to the population, (Creswell, 2014). The descriptive survey design was employed for this study. The population was made up of seven Kulliyah / Faculty in International Islamic University Malaysia, Including Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyah of Law, Kulliyah of Architecture and Environmental Design, Kulliyah of Economics and Management Science, Kulliyah of Information and Communication Technology, Kulliyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Science, Kulliyah of Engineering, and Kulliyah of Education. The total number of population as accounted in all Kulliyah of IIUM Gombak is 54 students. The data were collected using a closed and open ended questionnaire. Afterwards, the data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferencial statistics. The population of the study was 54 consisting of all the physical impairment, vision impairment, hearing impairment, learning disability, speech impairment in International Islamic University Malaysia Gombak. Other branches of IIUM campus / kulliyah will not not be included because of time consuming. Other than that, in terms of the type of the programme. The researchers also give the limitation for Undergraduate and Postgraduate only because of time constrains reason as well. According to (Christensen, Johnson, & Turner, 2015), the term method of data collection refers to how the researchers obtains the empirical data to be used to answer the researcher questions. There are six major methods of data collections and that these methods incorporate more specific methods of data collection. The major methods of data collection for instance, test, questionnaire, interview, focus groups, observations, and existing or secondary data. However, in this study the most suitable data collection will be used is questionnaire. Since questionnaire is a self-report data collection instrument that is filled out by research participants / respondents. In order to get further information from disabled students, the researcher use structured and open ended questionnaire.

The table 1 below illustrates the demographic information on the categories of disability. In this survey, disability divided into six types, for instance, Blindness or Low Vision, Hearing Loss or Deafness, Mobility Impairment, Cognitive or Developmental Disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorders, and Psychiatric Disabilities. Nevertheless, in the survey conducted only three kind of disabilities who have participated a lot to respond the web-based questionnaire. The top highest number of respondents taking a part on the survey came from the mobility impairment which has 75 % respondents. Afterwards, followed by Learning Disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorders, and Psychiatric Disabilities which has below 13 % in each category. Table 1 Demographic Information on the Type of Disability Types of Disability Frequency Percent Valid Mobility Impairments 6 75.0 Learning Disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorders 1 12.5 Psychiatric Disabilities 1 12.5 Total 8 100.0 In particularly for this section, the researcher highlights more on the result of questionnaire received from the targeted respondents in terms of the percentage of the availability of library information resources in IIUM library and the adequacy of library information resources in this library. Below is the detail of the outcome questionnaire obtained from the respondents; As shown in the following table 2 that respondent’s responses on the item “the availability of library information resources”, indicate that generally respondents agreed that IIUM library truly provides the item which is needed by disability users, for instance, large print, electronic resources, and audiovisual & multimedia resources (CD/DVD. In particularly for respondent’s response on large print resources, from the total of eight respondents, the half number of the total respondent indicated neutrality representing 50 %, with a mean 1.5. Meaning that the half number of the total respondents agreed with large print resources and the half of them indicated disagreement with the availability of the item. Therefore, this item still must be added in order to fulfill students’ needs. The next, respondent’s response on the availability of electronic resources” has the highest number from those three library information resources provided by IIUM library, from the total of eight respondents just one respondent revealed disagreement with the availability of this item. While other respondents strongly agree representing 87.5 % with a mean 1.13. The last item is Audiovisual and Multimedia Resources (CD/DVD). Most of the respondent’ response that this item also is offered by IIUM Library representing 75 % with a mean 1.3. From this analysis, it can be concluded that the majority of disabled students agreed that the quantity of large print, electronic resources and audiovisual & multimedia resources are quite big but again those particular items still to be added in order to add the collection of library information resources in IIUM Library. Table 2 The availability of Library Information Resources No. Item (s) Yes No Mean 1. Large Print 4 50 % 4 50 % 1.5 2. Electronic Resources 7 87.5 % 1 12.5 % 1.13 3. Audiovisual & Multimedia Resources (CD/DVD) 6 75 % 2 25 % 1.3 The following table 3 describes “the Adequacy of Library Information Resources” in IIUM Library, as can be seen here commonly respondent’s agreed that library resources such as large print, electronic resources and audiovisual & multimedia resources (CD/DVD) are sufficiently provided for disabled users. Based on respondent’s response on large print resources, from the total of eight respondents, four respondents revealed agreement on the adequacy of the large print which represent 50 % with a mean 3.0, while the rest 4 respondents, two of them indicated neutrality representing 25.5 % and other two respondents indicated strongly disagreement on the adequacy of the large print resources which also represent 25.5 %. Meaning that, this item is really required to be improved by IIUM library as well since most of the respondents also saying that large print resources are still not enough for them. The following one, electronic resources, in particularly for this item, from the total of eight respondents, only four of them also agree that electronic resources provided by IIUM library is adequate representing 50 % with a mean 3.13. While other two respondents are neutral representing 25 %, one respondent disagree, and another one disagree with the adequacy of electronic resources. The last one is the adequacy of audiovisual and multimedia resources (CD/DVD), refereeing to the table 8 below, found that respondents gave the same response both electronic resources and audiovisual & multimedia resources (CD/DVD). The respondent who reacted that the audiovisual and multimedia resources are quite enough merely four respondents as well representing 50 %, then other two respondents indicated neutrality representing 25 %, one respondent saying disagreement and another one also saying strongly disagreement. Table 3 The Adequacy of Library Information Resources The Factors influencing disabilities to access resources caused by some reasons namely; library staff, technology, and library facilities. Table 4 Library Staff No. Library Staff Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Very agree Mean 1 The library staff in charge of resources for disabilities is helpful - 1 12.5 % - 5 62.5 % 2 25 % 4.0 2 The library staff in charge of resources for disabilities is knowledgeable - 1 12.5 % 1 12.5 % 5 62.5 % 1 12.5 % 3.76 3 The library staff is always available whenever I need help to use the library resources - 1 12.5 % - 7 87.5 % - 3.76 No. Item (s) Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Mean 1. Large Print 2 25.5% - 2 25.5 % 4 50% 3.0 2. Electronic Resources 1 12.5 % 1 12.5 % 2 25 % 4 50 % 3.13 3. Audiovisual & Multimedia Resources (CD/DVD) 1 12.5 % 1 12.5 % 2 25 % 4 50 % 3.13 4 The library staff is aware whenever I face difficulties to search for library resources - 1 12.5 % 2 25 % 5 62.5 % - 3.6 5 The Library staff always explain what devices are appropriate for me to satisfy my needs 1 12.5 % 2 25 % 1 12.5 % 4 50 % - 3.0 As can be seen on the table 4 above, the respondent’s response regarding library staff in IIUM Library, commonly respondents agreed that library staff in IIUM Library is really helpful, knowledgeable, and making disabled students satisfied with their services. In detail, respondent’s response on “the library staff in charge of resources for disabilities is helpful” indicated agreement representing 62.5 % with mean 4.0 which make it the highest. Thus, from the total of eight respondents, five respondents indicated agreement above, and other two respondents indicated strongly agreement which represent 25 %. Other than that, only one respondent indicated disagreement, then none of the respondent indicated strongly disagreement. The next, respondent’s response on “the library staff in charge of resources for disabilities is knowledgeable”, from the total of eight respondents, five respondents agreed on that statement which also represent 62.5 % which became the highest percentage. In addition, one respondents indicated strongly disagreement representing 12.5 %, then only one respondents indicated neutrality, besides that, only one respondents indicated disagreement which also represent 12.5 %, which make it the lowest. The following one, respondent’s response on the statement “the library staff is always available whenever I need help to use the library resources” indicated strongly disagreement. As shown on the result, from the total of eight respondents, seven respondents strongly agreed with the statement offered by the researcher representing 87.5 % which is the highest percentage while just one of them did not agree. Furthermore, respondent’s response regarding " The library staff is aware whenever I face difficulties to search for library resources” indicated agreement. As can be seen from the table above, from the total of eight respondents, five respondents replied that they agreed with that statement which represent 62.5 %. In contrast, the respondents who are neutral only two respondents representing 25 %. Then only one respondent disagree which represent 12.5 %. The last one, respondent’s response on “the Library staff always explain what devices are appropriate for me to satisfy my needs” also indicated agreement. As shown on the table above, from the total of eight respondents, there are four respondents agreed on that statements which represent 50 %. While only one respondent is neutral representing 12.5 % and only two respondents disagreed with the statement which represent 25 %. *Therefore, the first hypotheses which is saying that “librarian has positive influence on access to library information resources is proven. Table 5 Technology No. Technology Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Very agree Mean 1 The library provides sufficient self-check machines for users with disabilities to do their book borrowing 1 12.5 % - 2 25 % 5 62.5 % - 3.38 2 The library computer is easy 1 - 3 4 - 3.26 to use 12.5 % 37.5 % 50 % 3 The library OPAC is userfriendly for the disabled users - 2 25 % 3 37.5 % 3 37.5 % - 3.13 4 It is easy for me to navigate the library website - - 4 50 % 3 37.5 % 1 12.5 % 3.63 5 I always find that it is easy for me to use the printer/photocopy machines in the library 1 12.5 % - 4 50 % 2 25 % 1 12.5 % 3.26 Table 5 above describes that generally respondent’s response on the technology provided by IIUM representing more agreement and neutrality. In detail, respondent’s response on statement that “the library provides sufficient self-check machines for users with disabilities to do their book borrowing” indicated agreement which from the total of eight respondents, five respondents agreed which represent 62.5 %, which make it the highest. The next, in particular respondent’s response on “the library computer is easy to use” also indicated agreement which is from the total of eight respondents, four respondents saying agreement representing 50 %. Then, three respondents indicated neutrality which represent 37,5 %. Furthermore, respondent’s response regarding “the library OPAC is user-friendly for the disabled users indicated more agreement and neutrality, which is from eight respondents, three respondents indicated agreement, then other three respondents also indicated agreements, which represent 37.5 % as well. The last, in terms of the respondent’s response on the statement which stated that “It is easy for me to navigate the library website” and their respondents which stated that that “I always find that it is easy for me to use the printer/photocopy machines in the library”, both of these statements indicated neutrality, from the total of eight respondents, four of them indicated agreement, representing 50 %. *Hence, the second hypotheses which is saying that “the technology has positive influence on access library information resources is proven. Table 6 Library Facilities No. Library Facilities Strongly disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Very agree Mean 1 The Carrel Rooms provided to the disabled patrons is enough for me - 4 50 % 2 25 % 2 25 % - 2.76 2 Personal Computers with large LCD flat screen are enough to me - 3 37.5 % 2 25 % 3 37.5 % - 3.0 3 Personal Computers for accessing Library Catalogue (OPAC) is enough for me - 2 25 % 3 37.5 % 3 37.5 % - 3.13 4 The special reading tables with different heights - 1 12.5 % 2 25 % 3 37.5 2 25 % 3.76 provided are enough for me % 5 A set of TV and Video Player provided for watching videos is enough for me - 2 25 % 4 50 % 1 12.5 % 1 12.5 % 3.13 6 Braille Collection such as Tafsir Al-Quran and dictionary are enough for me 2 25 % - 4 50 % 2 25 % - 2.76 7 The toilet for disabled patron provided is enough for me 3 37.5 % - 3 37.5 % 2 25 % 3.5 8 I find that the ramps that help me more easily to get in and around the library buildings is sufficient - 2 25 % 1 12.5 % 5 62.5 % - 3.38 9 The Manual book drop provided for disabled patrons is sufficient 1 12.5 % - 2 25 % 4 25 % 1 12.5 % 3.5 Referring to table 6 above, respondent’s response on “The Carrel Rooms provided to the disabled patrons is enough for me, indicated disagreement 4 respondents representing 50 %. The next, respondents agreed that “Personal Computers with large LCD flat screen are enough to me are three respondents, from the total of eight respondents, then 3 respondents also disagreed representing 37.5 %, the other two respondents are neutral representing 25 %. Afterwards, the respondent’s response regarding “Personal Computers for accessing Library Catalogue (OPAC) is enough for me” from the total of eight respondents, 3 respondents agreed representing 37.5 %, then 3 respondents are neutral representing 37.5 %. Besides that, respondent’s response on “The special reading tables with different heights provided are enough for me, from the total of eight respondents, 3 agreed representing 37.5 %, thus 2 respondents are neutral representing 25 %. Furthermore, respondent’s response regarding “A set of TV and Video Player provided for watching videos is enough for me, from the total of eight respondents, four respondents indicated neutrality representing 50 %. Other than that, respondent’s response on “Braille Collection such as Tafsir Al-Quran and dictionary are enough for me” 4 respondents indicated neutrality, then representing 50 %as well. The next, respondent’s response on “the toilet for disabled patron provided is enough for me” 3 respondents indicated agreement representing 37.5 %, while other 3 respondents also indicated disagreement which has the same percentage 37.5 %. The last, respondent’s response on the statement that “I find that the ramps that help me more easily to get in and around the library buildings is sufficient” and "The Manual book drop provided for disabled patrons is sufficient” indicated more agreement, representing 62.5 % and 50 %. *Therefore, the third hypotheses which is saying that “facility has positive influence on access to library information resources is proven”.

In conclusion, the most common library resources found in Dar Al-Hikmah Library which are Braile Collection, Large Print, and Electronic Resources as well as Audiovisual & Multimedia Resources. Based on the result of the survey, the majority of respondents has responded that the highest number of library resources availaible in this library is electronic resources, followed by Audiovisual and Multimedia Material, large print and braille collection. The quantity of braille collection is still small therefore it is still need to be improved. The next, the library information resources preferred by special needs students in IIUM are Electronic Resources & Audiovisual & Multimedia Resources. The majority of respondent’s response that these resources are really important and helping them to complete their assignments.