Category: Broadcaster's Lounge
Release Date: April 16, 2014
FYI; Sun Sounds of Arizona
2323 W 14th Street
Tempe, AZ 85281
CONTACT: David Noble 480-774-8300
dnoble@sunsounds.org
Sun Sounds of Arizona increases access to print
for people with print-disabilities
(Tempe) Sun Sounds of Arizona announced today that it has completed its transition to a new website and increased the accessibility of printed news and information to Arizonans who cannot use print due to a disability. According to the non-profit, “sunsounds.org” now has nearly 200 printed publications read aloud as audio-on-demand for people who are vision-impaired or have other disabilities preventing the reading of print.
Bill Pasco, Executive Director at Sun Sounds of Arizona and a consumer of the service described the improvements. “This is a major step forward in making newspapers and other current print accessible to people with vision loss or other print-disabilities. Our daily, scheduled broadcast of newspapers, magazines and other print is well received, but (sighted) people don’t read a newspaper on a schedule.”
The new website enables registered, eligible persons to download, on demand, daily readings of newspapers and other current print on their PC’s or smartphones. “We’re continuing to provide the daily newspaper and other publications in our 24/7 broadcast” Pasco said. “But we recognize that people with print-disabilities are of all ages and varying technology levels. People who live with vision loss desire the same instant-access to newsprint as sighted people have.”
The new site allows volunteers who read the print news aloud for broadcast to have more control and flexibility in their reading and recording schedules as well. “Some of our readers record at home and upload audio files to us” said Andrea Pasquale – Manager of Programs and Volunteers. “The new site lets them securely upload hours of readings from home and it allows the volunteers who read in our studios to reserve recording booth-time so that their donations of time are more efficiently used.”
Sun Sounds of Arizona is providing nearly every program it broadcasts as an on demand offering; some 85 programs representing almost 200 different print publications in a month. To refer someone who needs assistance reading current print, or to apply to become a volunteer, visit the new site at sunsounds.org or call 480-774-8300.
Sun Sounds of Arizona is part of the Division of Public Service at Rio Salado College – one of the Maricopa Community Colleges.
CONTACT:
David Noble, Director of Development
dnoble@sunsounds.org
480-774-8300
Beautiful. And innovative.
I love reading about more ways marginalized people are getting help. So. Great job.
Sounds great. I'll check it out soon.
Thanks for posting it.
Bob