HAPTIC AND MOBILITY ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES AS CORRELATE TO UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION RESOURCES BY PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEED IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN SOUTH-SOUTH, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined assistive haptic and mobility technologies as correlate to utilization of information resources by people with special needs in university libraries in South-South, Nigeria. Two (2) objectives, two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. Literatures were reviewed based on the specific objectives of the study. The population of the study consisted of 94 people with special needs in university libraries in South-South, Nigeria. Accidental sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The study adopted a correlational design. Questionnaire was used for data collection and all the 94 copies of the instrument were found valid for analysis. Hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study was analytical using mean and standard deviation for research questions and PPMC for hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed that: There is a positive and strong relationship between haptic assistive technologies on utilization of information resources by people with special needs with a correlation coefficient value of (r=.842), and is statistically significant at 0.05 alpha level [(p=.000) (p<0.05)]. There is a positive and high relationship between mobility assistive technology on utilization of information resources by people with special needs with a correlation coefficient value of (r=.710) and is statistically significant at 0.05 alpha level [(p=.000) (p<0.05)]. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended amongst others; university libraries should embrace assistive technologies so as to enhance effective and prompt utilization of information resources.