By Jishnu Mondal Professional Assistant, Central Library, Visva-Bharati [email protected]

Dr.

Tridib Tripathi Associate Professor DLIS The University of Burdwan Dr. Manik Mandal Librarian, NIT Durgapur [email protected]

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This paper attempts to highlight the Braille Section under the Central Library, Visva- Bharati, a Central University. It underlines the awareness, resources, and services available at the library for the visually impaired users. It also gives an overview of the services available in other prominent libraries in India. The study includes some recommendations for betterment of the services with the help of assistive technology so that best possible services could be rendered to this special user group.

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 Visual impairment as a significant functional loss of vision that cannot be corrected by medication, surgical operation, or ordinary optical lenses such as spectacles. Visual impairment can be classified into three levels (Child Assessment Service, Dept. of Health, Govt. of Hong Kong 2014): Mild Visual impairment Can read relatively larger characters No difficulty in identifying shapes, colours and brightness contrasts  Moderate Visual impairment: Can tell shapes and colours of objects and can distinguish between brightness and darkness Can only read characters with larger size and broader strokes  Severe Visual impairment: Can only distinguish more obvious changes in brightness and darkness May not see anything (completely blind) NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014

It is a generic term used for a wide range of software and hardware designed for disabled people to assist with everyday task in both work and home life. It can be standalone products that serve specific discrete functional products, provide access to other devices, particularly computers, or technologies that are built into mainstream 2014).

products to enhance their accessibility(www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk

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   What are the resources and services available for VI user of the library?

To assess the level of awareness and use of the library resources and services? To know the level of satisfaction of the VI user NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014

   Most commonly used Assistive technology Screen magnifier Screen reader Voice recognition software NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014

Type Magnifying software Screen Readers (Commercial) Screen Readers (Free ) Braille printer Text-to-MP3 Converter software Reading/ Scanning software Braille writers Product SuperNova Jaws Manufacturer Dolphin Freedom Scientific Non Visual Desktop Access (NVDA) Basic D TextAloud3 Index Braille NextUp Kurzweil 1000 Perkins Brailler Kurzweil Educational Sys.

Perkins NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014

   NKC UGC Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014

      Delhi University University of Mumbai Jawaharlal Nehru University University of Calcutta University of Hyderabad IIT-Madras NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014

 Online Braille Library ( http://www.oblindia.org

)  Mobile Braille Library Services NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014

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  1 st Braille Unit at Central library was set up in August, 2012 2 nd Braille Unit at Vinay Bhavana campus from 21 st February, 2014 NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014

Separate section for its VI Users NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014

entrance of the library consists of a ramp with grab rails and wide security gate NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014

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Walkways to the Braille section has been made straight and obstruction free NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014

  Large signage Toilets are well spaced and made disabled friendly NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014

   Installation of an automated door at the entrance Braille signage ,Tactile markers and audio signals at strategic points Visually Impaired friendly Library Website NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014

 SuperNova Screen Reader / Magnifier software NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014

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Basic-D V4 Braille printer NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014

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      Seika v.3 Pro Duxbury Braille Translator Optima Binocular Spectacles Angel e-book reader Large Print keyboards Headphones, Bilipro Foot mouse, InfoGrip Input devices etc NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014

    Inspite of their physical disabilities VI students are not only restricted to UG or PG studies, they are also engaged in PhD work and also inclined to be in teaching profession.

Majority of the VI students are aware of library and information services being provided to them.

The study reveals that out of 07 users 06(86%) have the knowledge of using computers .

The study reveals that 04(57%) respondents use Internet to meet their information needs.

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    All the respondents clearly stated that Internet is very important to fulfill their educational needs.

The study reveals that 02 out of 07(29%) respondents participate in social networking Screen readers and Scanners are the most frequently used assistive technology.

To use the library resources and services properly they need training.

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 It is observed that out of 07respondents 01(14%) respondent is satisfied with the library resources and services. and 05 (71%) are partial satisfied and 01 respondent offered no comment.Majority of the users demanded JAWS and Kathak software to be installed to read out Bengali text.

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     Library services should be according to the users’ need.

Procurement of more number of Braille books and talking books.

Library staff should be given periodic training on how best to serve this category of users and to update their knowledge.

Provide guides and promotional materials in accessible alternative formats (audio, Braille etc.) for VI students.

Coordination at National and local level is needed to overcome the gaps. This will enable them to avail the opportunity of sharing their resources and collections in interlibrary loan arrangement.

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NACLIN 2014 09 -11 December, 2014