To read this content please select one of the options below:

Development strategy of the alternative format materials for disabled people in Korea

Hee‐Yoon Yoon (Library and Information Science Department, Daegu University, Daegu, South Korea)
Sin‐Young Kim (Library and Information Science Department, Yonsei University, Yonsei, South Korea)

Aslib Proceedings

ISSN: 0001-253X

Article publication date: 7 July 2011

1293

Abstract

Purpose

Disabled people have the same information needs as non‐disabled people. Nevertheless, only 5 per cent of the world's publishing output is made accessible in alternative formats for people who cannot access and use printed materials. This paper aims to suggest the strategy for a national development plan, role models for production and distribution of the alternative format materials for the equitable library service for Koreans with print disabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a series of pre‐research studies and discusses arguments for and principles of an alternative format materials development plan in terms of protecting access to information, eliminating the knowledge and information gap, the role of libraries and their social responsibilities, the inadequacy of materials currently available, production plans at the national level, and the advent of an era of digital distribution.

Findings

This research presents a strategic development plan as well as a role division model concerning the production of alternative format materials based on the mid‐ to long‐term plan and a nation‐wide cooperative network centring on the National Library Support Center for Disabled People in Korea.

Originality/value

The strategic development plan and a role division model concerning the production of alternative format materials presented in this study will improve consciousness about the gap in information.

Keywords

Citation

Yoon, H. and Kim, S. (2011), "Development strategy of the alternative format materials for disabled people in Korea", Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 63 No. 4, pp. 380-398. https://doi.org/10.1108/00012531111148976

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles