Reading for the Blind Vince Lombardi (Ma)

Twenty years ago, those with vision impairments had difficulty accessing print material; today, services like not-profit Sound Journal, Inc. are maintaining an important lifeline through specialized programming delivered past caring volunteers.

The Audio Periodical Studio

Robin Sitten had long been drawn to volunteer work, particularly with individuals who accept vision problems. In 1996, she embarked on a volunteer path that has taken her effectually the earth, in a manner of speaking.

Sitten outset offered her services to Reading for the Blind & Dyslexic, at present known as Learning Marry. "I started recording textbooks," she says. "For the service you read all sorts of books from preschool up to law and medical schoolhouse textbooks."

Enamored with the work, Sitten began attending workshops to enhance her skills. During one of these sessions for "describers," the term given to those who provide visual access for the bullheaded, she met Vince Lombardi, director of Audio Periodical and expressed her desire to do some radio reading. Coincidentally, Sound Journal'south Armchair Traveler program had merely lost its host and was looking for a replacement.

Although she had no professional broadcast experience, Sitten stepped into the position and establish the learning procedure fairly like shooting fish in a barrel. "The equipment in the studio is sophisticated, but not complicated," she explains. "Vince mixed the first testify and so I would simply take to concentrate on one thing."

Red Rocks in Sedona, Arizona

When Sitten assumed the host chair, she changed the format from a conversation to a reading hour with occasional in-person interviews.   "At the fourth dimension, I was living in Waltham and it was besides difficult to coordinate other people to come in to the Worcester studio. I asked if I could do more of a destination testify," she reports.

The material for Armchair Traveler comes from a diverseness of sources. "I expect at the local library mostly, particularly at the travel magazines and journals like National Geographic, Smithsonian, Sunset, Vanity Fair, publications in the Condé Nast family and special interest publications, such as Asia Today, Ebony/Essence, Ms. and others. Travel memoirs and personal narratives are also a skillful discover," she points out.

During the hour-long programme, which airs at 11AM on the first and third Saturdays of the month, Sitten offers educational insight into a location and explores its festivals, foods and customs. "I likewise endeavour to observe music related to the destination, and then the listeners are not simply hearing my phonation," she adds.

Armchair Traveler has visited numerous destinations around the globe from the Amalfi Coast in Italy, Capri, Hawaii to closer-to-home destinations such as Arizona, Baltimore and the Hoover Dam.

Last twelvemonth, Sitten brought listeners on a virtual bout of the national park system that included Yellowstone Park and Lexington Dark-green as well equally some urban, desert and angling areas. She reports that she devoted another twelvemonth to global travel, touching upon destinations in Asia, Africa and Northward America. "We take also done a 'So and Now' theme where we presented Havana in the thirties, forties, fifties and sixties."

Although the program typically consists of reading, Sitten does occasionally conduct in-studio interviews. "Karen Ross, a personal friend of mine, had been in the Peace Corps. When she first got out, she came on the show and talked about Paraguay," she states. Most recently, Sitten conducted a remote phone interview with two individuals in New York. "We couldn't do this live, but recorded it and saved information technology," Sitten notes.

Killeaue lighthouse, Kauai, Hawaii

The quality and popularity of Armchair Traveler has garnered manufacture acclaim. The International Association of Audio Information Services bestowed tiptop honors on Audio Periodical'due south Armchair Traveler in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

Sitten's passion for her volunteer piece of work is abundantly clear. "Sound Journal is primarily informational and local. We tin't stress that plenty. We read local news, town newspapers, local sports and circulars. There are a lot of accessible news and entertainment options for our audience, but very few that address their local concerns," she emphasizes.

"Much of our programming is also directly related to vision-related topics, of grade, and this is unique to our focus. Our children'southward programming is likely the only material of its kind that our audience under eighteen is exposed to. We have even done some Spanish linguistic communication programming."

Sound Journal, Inc. began dissemination in 1987 from an unused closet at the Worcester Public Library. At that time five volunteers brought programming to approximately three hundred listeners in the Central Massachusetts area via a special receiver.

Currently, the service boasts more 150 volunteers, has its own part space and reaches an undetermined audience size since programming can now likewise be accessed by cable television and the Net. Audio Periodical is a gratis service and broadcasts 20-four hours/seven days a week.

In improver to delivering specialty programming to those affected with vision problems, Sound Journal likewise strives to increase employment opportunities for legally blind individuals through preparation and associated services.

Details:

Audio Journal

799 West Boylston Street, Worcester, MA 01606

(508) 797-1117

info@audiojournal.net

www.audiojournal.net

strotherafterid00.blogspot.com

Source: http://www.onenewengland.com/article.php?id=366

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