INFORMATION NEEDS AND USE BY STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (SPECIAL) OYO, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined information needs and use by students with disabilities in FCE Oyo, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study while total enumeration method was used to select two hundred and twenty students with disabilities including both males and females. Two research questions and one hypothesis were employed to guide the study. A self-structured questionnaire tagged was developed and used to collect data for the study. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the two research questions while the inferential statistics was used to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Finding revealed that information on employment and job-related issues was the students’ major need. It was also revealed that information needs have positive significant relationships with information use among students with disabilities. The study recommended that the institution should ensure sufficient provision of information materials in alternative formats for the use of students with disabilities. Also, library staff should be trained on more efficient ways of handling students with disabilities who want to use library facilities.