CALIBER 2025: Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

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https://ir.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/1944/2511

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Browsing CALIBER 2025: Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh by Subject "Accessibility"

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    A Study of Open Education Resource Usage Among LIS Students in Kerala Higher Education Institutions
    (INFLIBNET Centre Gandhinagar, 2025-12-02) Rasheed, Shaukhiya; K T, Raheeha; K.Y, Inzamam Ul Haq
    Open Educational Resources (OER) represent a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the accessibility of educational materials for all interested learners. The study investigates the awareness, usage patterns, perceived benefits, and barriers to OER adoption among Library and Information Science (LIS) students across various colleges in Kerala. Data were collected from 101 respondents (39.61%) out of a sample of 255 students, selected through simple random sampling from nine colleges. The findings indicate that the majority of LIS students are aware of OER and utilize them effectively. Key benefits identified include cost-effective learning and improved accessibility, while notable challenges encompass concerns regarding the quality of resources and technical difficulties. The study highlights the need for institutions to actively promote OER through targeted training and increased participation, particularly in the context of open courses. Regular evaluation and the organization of OER-focused congresses are recommended to ensure resource quality, and further democratize knowledge dissemination
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    Libraries Empowering Differently-abled Students in Higher Education Institutions in Tamil Nadu – A Study
    (INFLIBNET Centre Gandhinagar, 2025-12-02) A Bagavathi; Kumar, S K Asok
    This study explores the transformative role of academic libraries in empowering differently- abled students across Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Tamil Nadu. Grounded in the mandates of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the research investigates how libraries are evolving into inclusive spaces through adaptive infrastructure, assistive technologies, and user-cantered services. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study draws from surveys and interviews conducted across ten HEIs, encompassing students, faculty, and library professionals. Findings reveal a high level of awareness regarding inclusive library services (90%), yet highlight persistent challenges in the implementation of assistive tools, staff training, and policy enforcement. While institutions like Tamil Nadu Open University, Bharathidasan University, and The Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University exemplify best practices through specialized labs and accessible learning materials, the majority of institutions still face systemic barriers including inadequate funding, infrastructure gaps, and limited faculty-library collaboration. The study emphasizes the critical need for institutional policy development, diversified investment in assistive technologies, ongoing professional training, and strategic partnerships with NGOs and technology providers. It concludes that while Tamil Nadu’s academic libraries are progressively advancing toward inclusivity, sustained efforts and systemic reforms are essential to ensure equitable academic participation for differently-abled students
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    Reimagining Academic Library Websites: A Strategic Planning Framework for Inclusive and User-Centric Digital Infrastructure
    (INFLIBNET Centre Gandhinagar, 2025-12-02) Srivastava, Nikhil Anand; Tripathi, Aditya; Singh, Satya Prakash
    Library websites have become essential gateways to institutional knowledge and services in the contemporary academic landscape, shaped by rapid digital transformation. However, many Indian higher education institutions still exhibit a disconnect between user expectations and digital service delivery. Numerous library portals suffer from outdated designs, limited accessibility, and weak alignment with evolving pedagogical and technological demands. These limitations restrict libraries from functioning as strategic partners in advancing research, learning, and inclusion. This study presents a five-phase strategic planning framework tailored to the Indian context, emphasizing user-centred design, accessibility, and continuous improvement factors often overlooked in institutional planning. The framework is structured around Assessment, Design, Integration, Implementation, and Evaluation and draws on established usability and accessibility standards, including Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1). It aligns with national priorities such as the National Education Policy (2020) and quality benchmarks like the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). Developed through literature synthesis, national case studies, and benchmarking against global best practices, the model remains flexible and scalable, accommodating diverse institutional capacities. Core components include Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) labels for screen-reader navigation, beta testing for usability validation, and Jakob Nielsen’s heuristics for interface quality. The proposed approach repositions the academic library website from a passive repository to an inclusive, adaptive platform central to digital engagement, advocating a shift from fragmented digital services toward holistic, user-driven ecosystems that ensure equitable access and long-term relevance