Challenges of Information Accessibility and Utilisation in 21st century: The Case of Disadvantaged Students in Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo State

Abstract

This study investigated the challenges of information accessibility and information utilization in the twenty first (21st) century among disadvantaged students in Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was employed for the study while total enumeration method was used to select two hundred and twenty disadvantaged students. Two research questions were generated and answered. A self-designed structured questionnaire was used to gather data for the study. Data were analysed suing frequency counts, simple percentages and Multiple Regression Analysis. The study established that information accessibility had a positive significant relationship with information use and it also revealed and public libraries should be made accessible resources and that government should ensure sufficient provision of information materials in alternative formats for the use of students with disabilities. Similarly, it was recommended that members of library staff should be grained on the effective and decent ways to handle disadvantaged students who want to use library facilities.