Assessing the Accessibility of Digital Platforms: A Case Study of the Noolaham Foundation in Sri Lanka

This study analyzes the accessibility, usefulness, and impact of the digital platforms of the Noolaham Foundation, a digital library in Sri Lanka that aims to document and preserve Tamil literary and cultural heritage. The purpose of the study is to determine the current status of the Foundation’s platforms, the comprehensiveness of its digital collection, users’ perceptions of accuracy and reliability, challenges faced in accessing the collection, and possible solutions for sustainable improvements. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, and quantitative and qualitative data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions from 100 participants, including students, researchers, faculty members, librarians, and members of the wider community. Further triangulation was achieved through the analysis of repository metadata, content coverage, and use data. The analysis suggests that approximately 60% of users demonstrate a high level of digital literacy, and the majority perceive the digital collection as comprehensive and trustworthy. However, several challenges remain, including limited accessibility for users with disabilities, issues related to metadata quality, searchability, copyright restrictions, and inadequate materials. These findings indicate that while the Noolaham Foundation has made significant progress in digital preservation and access, improvements are still required in usability, accessibility compliance, and sustainability planning.