The conceptualisation of the Provisioning of Assistive Resources for Patrons with Visual Impairment within Academic Libraries in Zimbabwe

The introduction of assistive resources within academic libraries in the 20th century positively affected library users (patrons) since they eased information access challenges for patrons living with impairments. However, most academic libraries in developing countries are still grappling with challenges relating to ensuring adequate services to patrons with visual impairment. Given this problem, this paper seeks to provide a better overview and understanding of what provisioning of assistive resources entails. Such an understanding would aid decision-making in academic libraries on the specific resources that should be acquired for patrons with visual impairment. In addition, this paper also went on to conceptualise the term patrons with visual impairment, this is because there has been confusion within most academic libraries on the specific individuals that fall within this category