Course:LIBR 559A/Tucker, R. N. (2007).

Citation:

Tucker, R. N. (2007). Library and Resource Center Facilities for Visually and Print Impaired People in Developing Countries. Library Trends, 55(4), 847-863. doi:10.1353/lib.2007.0042.

Annotation:

This article presents the information access needs of the visually impaired in developing nations (847). The significance of this article for libraries as well as public and private social agencies in both developing and developed nations is palpable as the needs of vision impaired individuals throughout the world must be recognized when the concept of equitable information access is considered. Tucker offers advice to libraries in developed nations on how they can help increase the knowledge of the visually impaired. This is done through ensuring donations will be used or can be legally used before the donation occurs (860-2). However, this is not the main crux of the article.

The two main cruxes of the article are about the hindrances to providing accessible information to the visually impaired persons in developing nations and the organizations that are trying to work on providing accessible information. Among the hindrances mentioned are cultural understandings of who should have information, deteriorating infrastructure, education, and funding from charitable donations or governments that face ethical issues when deciding which program to fund (847-8). The information he presents is valuable to those seeking information on the problems facing those who wish to provide equal access to the visual impaired and seek information on organizations meeting those needs.

There is one major problem with the article. The bias of Tucker towards the Force Foundation is obvious, despite the fact he touches on a few of the awesome things other organizations did (860). This bias is not clearly presented until late in the paper. In fact, a note on the last page informs the reader that Tucker had just retired from the Foundations Deputy Directorship just two years before (863). The lackadaisical or nefariously late presentation, let the reader decide which, of this information casts a pale shadow over the glowing promotion of the Force Foundation (853-860) and his statement that individuals and libraries in developed nations should use intermediaries (860). That said, the Force Foundation does sound like an excellent organization to work with. Also, the basic facts of the hindrances facing organizations such as FORCE, do seem legit, though with the bias presented, it may be that they are hyped by Tucker to prevent new organizations from entering the market.

Page Author: Manfred Nissley