# makeing a radio station's studio blind friendly - tips?

Category: Broadcaster's Lounge

## Post 1 by Striker (Consider your self warned, i'm creative and offensive like handicap porn.) on Tuesday, 07-Jul-2009 12:27:30

hey all.
I'm currently working at a Non profet radeo station.
One goal the organization has is makeing the studio fully usable for a blind DJ. I've got several ideas about this but i'm curious to see what's worked in the past, what hasn't, how you all have handled playing advertizements and such from the computer programs that moste radeo stations use and anything else applicable.
We're for sure going to lable the bord. the plan is to use braille label tape and give each controll that really needes it a 2 or 3 letter/character combonation that will explain its perpous and to make a cheet sheet that has it all spelled out. We're still looking at what is going to be adapted and what isn't.
thanks in advance,
striker

## Post 2 by mistervera (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Sunday, 02-Aug-2009 20:20:16

Well also you need to make sure a program like Jaws is on the computer as well as using programs such as winamp or sam broadcaster also there is a program that I have used call zara radio that works as well. What station is this curius.

## Post 3 by nongKee (Veteran Zoner) on Tuesday, 04-Aug-2009 4:32:17

so i try to use zara radio is good but how to search song i don't know how to do
but sam broadcaster is good too
who is a jaws user ever use sara radio help me please
thanks
Okey

## Post 4 by radiovoice754 (Newborn Zoner) on Monday, 21-Dec-2009 23:04:06

Many stations are using Audio Vault. That is a program I have not been successful working with at all. You can use Adoby audio.

## Post 5 by fuzzy101 (The master of fuzz!!) on Saturday, 16-Jan-2010 15:02:12

I recommend station playlist It is accessible with screen readers and not too expensive. They have programs for both live and automation.

## Post 6 by drummerguy425 (Veteran Zoner) on Thursday, 07-Oct-2010 17:47:35

I would definitely make sure that the mixing board that you are using is accessible and that you can lable or be shown the important nobs and faders that you will need to complete your work. A computer with a screen reader such as jaws will be critical so you can access software such as the sam broadcaster or another program to stream the music and audio content. To my knowledge, a lot of studios have transitioned to using touch screen interfaces to cue up songs.

## Post 7 by billdengler (Generic Zoner) on Friday, 11-Mar-2011 15:16:44

Just a note
first, the programs that users are talking about here have to do with streaming music to the internet, commonly called internet radio or internet broadcasting. I am not sure if this is conventional radio(DBA/AM/FM/something else) or internet streaming.
If you want to go the internet way here's what I do:
http://www.nvda-project.org
edcast
conventional radio could be done by using multiple instances of a media player on a computer that stream different songs in a station to different channels on your audio board. The effects processer could be memmorized or braille labeled in the manner described above.

## Post 8 by JerseyGirl1989 (Zone BBS is my Life) on Tuesday, 22-Mar-2011 2:33:47

I think for actual stations, they have converted to all tuch screens. (because my college University radiostation was all tuch screen) the board wasn't, but the songs/playlist/other stuff was. (that is critical to be able to work there) yes I could do the bored, but not the playlist, or anything like that. another words, I'd have to have 2 people on my shift (being me and another person). But I have heard of blind people who have been on radio before with the tuch screen. (there was a guy back in 2007 who was on WLIT in Chicago a while back) he no longer works there, but I read an article, and it shocked me to learn that he was totally blind. Wonder how he did it? I mean wouldn't they be required to make that stuff accessible if someone who was totally blind working there? (or no because it's just one person). I think that's the challenge that your gonna have, is working the concell, and the log- cause we had to log commercials, and when we started and ended our shifts, etc, etc, etc.... if anyone has any more tips on this, it would be greatly appreciated. Just posting my thoughts and a little insight to what I know. :)
Amber.