Reading Service

Reading Blind Reading the paper every morning is something some people take for granted unless you're blind. A radio station offers a reading service that helps more than the visually impaired.

by Chad Petri

Published: Tue, August 07, 2007 - 4:59 am CST Last Updated: Tue, August 07, 2007 - 6:20 am CST

Reading is something many people take for granted. Imagine trying to keep up with local events in the news paper and not being able to see the words or turn the pages. That’s where WHIL’s radio reading service is trying to help. They broadcast a special reading service designed for the visually impaired.

” There is absolutely no reason for blind people not to be in touch with what's going on in the world,” says studio operations manager Jane Dereine.

The reading service is available through special radios that WHIL loans to people. More than 400 are being borrowed at any given time. Organizers say it helps the blind stay current.

“Someone's been talking about something they read in the paper and I was able to communicate about that, I was able to say 'oh yes, I read that yesterday in the paper,' “ says Reading Service Director, Brad Martin. “I wouldn't have otherwise had the opportunity had it not been for the radio reading service.”

Martin is also visually impaired. With a talking computer and braille on his audio board he’s able to help direct programming during the day.

“It gives me a sense of knowing what people are looking for and the benefit it provides to listeners,” says Martin.

The reading service produces four and a half hours of live talk programming a day. The rest is provided by satellite services. Reading service volunteers also re-read national publications like Newsweek and TV Guide that are distributed nationwide.

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