Is a loved one no longer able to read due to decreasing vision? Does a friend or neighbor have a physical disability preventing her from holding reading material for a prolonged period of time? For these individuals, a radio reading service can be a valuable addition to their daily lives. It can allow them to stay informed and feel connected to their local community and the world.
Many people experience decreasing vision as they age due to macular degeneration, cataracts, or other eye conditions. When it becomes too difficult (or impossible) to read standard or large-print text, the use of a radio reading service can help a person be more independent and feel less isolated. Often, it can provide a sense of belonging and companionship.
What Is a Radio Reading Service?
A radio reading service provides daily broadcasts of local and national newspapers, magazines, and other useful information. A radio reading service usually broadcasts on a sub carrier of an FM radio station and cannot be tuned in on a regular FM radio. A person must qualify to use the service and will then be given a special closed-circuit radio receiver, free of charge. This receiver is about the size of a table radio and can only pick up that one channel. The service is broadcast in this closed-circuit fashion due to the United States copyright laws.
A radio reading service is allowed to broadcast copyrighted material without the publisher's permission as long as it ensures that those using the service are considered to be print-handicapped. A radio reading service often broadcasts 24 hours a day and is usually affiliated with a state or private agency serving those who are blind or visually impaired. The reading of the printed material is done mostly, if not completely, by volunteers. It's often a popular volunteer job, and many readers like the chance to have their own live hour long "radio show".
What is Typically Broadcast on a Radio Reading Service
A radio reading service aims to broadcast things that are not readily available in other formats. Local and national newspapers are a big part of what is read. An individual needing large-print text when reading is not going to easily be able to get a newspaper in this format. The same is true for someone who reads using Braille. It would take too long to transcribe the newspaper into Braille and still have the news be timely and current. Here are some common features of a radio reading service:
Almost all sections of the newspaper can be read. People want to hear the day's news, sports, TV listings, and featured columns, such as Dear Abby.
The reading of the grocery advertisements and obituaries are of high interest to people. Many people tape the broadcasts of the grocery ads so they can play them back again, get the details, and make a grocery list from them.
A reading service can broadcast the reading of popular magazines such as Time, Good Housekeeping, Reader's Digest, and U.S. News & World Report.
A reading service does not usually broadcast the reading of non-fiction books and novels. Since audio books have become so popular with the general public today, it is usually possible to find a large selection of these at a local bookstore.
Other specialized broadcasts are aired at different times of the day and night. These programs can focus on health issues, travel, or technology, and can even include the broadcasting of comedy shows. These types of broadcasts are not live, are not done by the volunteers, and are often purchased from another media network or source.
Listeners receive a monthly program schedule sent out by the radio reading service. This listing of programs can be sent out in large-print or Braille if the listener requests it in one of these formats.
Are There Other Options besides Using This Service
In today's high tech world, you might say to yourself: There must be other options than using a radio reading service? Yes, it is true there are other options to choose from, but they may not always be the most practical or easily accessible. A person who is computer-literate can get screen reader software program for his computer. This software allows him to have the text displaying on his computer screen read to him in computer-synthesized speech.
One argument against this choice is that many people prefer to hear speech done by a human voice. They may dislike or have trouble adjusting to the often monotone sound of computerized speech. In addition, the elderly--a group that makes up a large portion of radio reading service listeners--may not be familiar with computers or have the desire to learn to use one. Another option, for those consumers who are blind and can read Braille, is to get a device attached near their computer keyboard called a refreshable Braille display.
This device is made up of tiny pins that are continually raised and lowered to form the Braille that makes up the words and sentences displaying on their computer screen. Again, this is often not a practical choice since these devices currently cost thousands of dollars.
Who Qualifies as a Listener?
A person must qualify and then apply to be a radio reading service listener. A potential listener must get an application filled out by a doctor, rehabilitation therapist, social worker, or other health care professional. The purpose of the application is to certify that the person has a disability qualifying him to be considered as print-handicapped.
The reason for the inability to read standard print is usually vision related. But other physical disabilities--including cerebral palsy, severe arthritis, or the occurrence of a stroke--may also prevent an individual from holding printed material. A person who is illiterate and never learned to read does not qualify as a listener. It is the hope that these individuals would instead seek out the literacy services in their community offering training in how to read.
Who Is a Typical Listener?
The average age of a radio reading service listener is often near seventy. Many nursing homes and senior care facilities apply to get a radio receiver which they place in a common area where residents gather and can listen. However, this doesn't mean that the elderly are the sole listeners of this type of service.
Some teachers of blind or visually impaired students have used a radio reading service with their middle and high school age students. These teachers incorporate listening to the daily national news into the social studies curriculum of their students. A radio reading service can also be used by a person of any age who has been temporarily disabled by an accident or surgery.
How to Find Out If a Radio Reading Service Is Available Where You Live
To find out if a radio reading service broadcasts in your community, you can contact the International Association of Audio Information Services.
You can log onto their website at www.iaais.org and click on the "Service Locator" icon to see if a service broadcasts in your city or county.
You can reach them by phone at 1-800-280-5325.
You can help improve someone's quality of life by telling him or her about a radio reading service.