The application of the social model of disability and Wilson’s model of information behaviour towards effective service delivery for students with disabilities within an academic library context
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Date
2019
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
This paper explores the applicability of the social model of disability and Wilson’s
model of information seeking behaviour for effective service delivery to students
with disabilities in the context of academic libraries.
The paper is based on a literature review based on Oliver’’s social model of
disability and Wilson’s model of information seeking behaviour in relation to service
provision to students with disabilities in academic libraries. The literature review
provided a background to the two models and their criticisms and implications to
academic libraries.
This paper shows that despite their respective weaknesses, using the social model
of disability and Wilson’s model of information seeking behaviour in the academic
library context offers an opportunity for academic libraries to re-look at their
systems and services in order to address the different barriers faced by students
with disabilities in their day to day information seeking. As libraries acquire and
organise their resources, the needs of students with disabilities should always be
prioritised. Academic libraries as a key information source in any academic setting
have a responsibility to provide information in various formats using various
facilities for easy accessibility and use by their diverse users.
Access to any form of information is a fundamental human right. Academic libraries
must identify and remove barriers that may inhibit information seeking for students
with disabilities. Additionally, academic libraries should use multiple facilities to
provide information. This will ensure that information needs for users with
disabilities are catered for.
Description
Peer reviewed article published under Inkanyiso journal, Volume 11 Number 1, p.69 - 79, November 2018
Keywords
Social model of disability, Wilson’s model of information seeking behavior, students with disabilities, Academic libraries
Citation
Eneya, D. and Mostert, B.J., 2019. The application of the social model of disability and Wilson’s model of information behaviour towards effective service delivery for students with disabilities within an academic library context. Inkanyiso, 11(1), pp.69-79.