The Integration of Special Needs for People Living with Disabilities in Tanzania’s LIS Curriculum

  • Rebecca Mgunda Majinge Institute of Finance Management
  • Vincent Tilubuzya Msonge Institute of Finance Management
Keywords: Curriculum, Hearing impairments, LIS, Special needs, Physical impairments, Visual impairments, Tanzania

Abstract

This paper presents the study findings that examined the integration of special needs in the Library Information Science (LIS) curriculum by Tanzania’s library schools.The Social Model of Disability by Oliver (1990)underpinned the study, which deployed both quantitative and qualitative research approaches as well as survey research design. The questionnaire, interview and content analysis were used in data gathering.The study found that special needs in the LIS programme is integrated in one university as an elective and not covered as a core subject. Moreover,the study found that the integration of special needs in the LIS curriculum is important in improving library services, also providing services to people with disabilities. Furthermore, it was established in this study that the integration of special needs in the LIS curriculum faced the challenge of relying on staff lacking training in special needs in addition to lacking assistive equipment. In addition, inadequate funding, lack of information resources (Braille materials), lack of sensitisation and awareness of universities and government decision-makers were other challenges the study identified. The study, therefore, recommends for special needs to be a compulsory subject for undergraduates as well as postgraduates in all disciplines. The physical layout of  the campus buildings in all the universities should also be friendly to people living with disabilities. The government should  also provide adequate funds to all universities to support people living with special needs.

Author Biographies

Rebecca Mgunda Majinge, Institute of Finance Management
Dr Rebecca M. Majinge is a librarian at the Institute of Finance Management, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She has worked in libraries for 33 years. She holds a PhD  and Post Doctoral from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Her research interest is library services provision for people with disabilities
Vincent Tilubuzya Msonge, Institute of Finance Management
Dr Vincent T. Msonge is a Librarian at the Institute Finance Management (IFM), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He holds a PhD in Information Studies from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He is currently the Acting Director of Library Services at the Institute Finance Management. His research interest is Collection Development and Management 

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Published
2020-08-04
Section
Research Articles