About WVTF's Radio Reading Service
WVTF Public Radio recognizes that approximately 20,000 individuals in its listening area have some type of print disability. Sight difficulties cover a wide spectrum that ranges from total blindness to the inability to distinguish standard newsprint without a magnifying device.
The Radio Reading Service (RRS) is a public service of the Virginia Tech Foundation and operates on WVTF's subcarrier, a "hidden" portion of the station's signal that cannot be picked up by regular FM radios. Through fundraising and other support efforts from the Voice of the Blue Ridge, a local, non-profit United Way agency, the RRS provides FM-SCA receivers on a permanent loan to qualified persons.
Each day of the year, listeners can enjoy a program mix of readings from current national newspapers and magazines supplemented with a wide variety of local publications, thanks to volunteer readers. Listeners require a subcarrier receiver in order to access the signal. The process of qualifying if simple. The RRS requires that a receiver application form be completed by the listener, a portion of which must be completed by a medical professional or public welfare agent to verify need.
The RRS is a free service relying on a volunteer base of more than 100 dedicated, "on-air" readers. There is no set volunteer schedule. Some people prefer to work weekly, while the majority make themselves available on an on-call basis. To explore volunteer opportunities, contact RRS Director Ben Martin. E-mail: BenM@vt.edu.
Hometown News is a chief area of importance to those with visual impairments. In response, the RRS volunteers read from 12 area papers and three National papers. Other air time is devoted to readings from more than 50 magazines.
LOCAL PAPERS
Bedford Bulletin, Danville Register & Bee, Fincastle Herald, Lexington News-Gazette, New Castle Record, Salem Times-Register, Smyth County News, Southwest Virginia Enterprise, Roanoke Times, Roanoke Tribune, Vinton Messenger
NATIONAL PAPERS
New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal
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