Press Release

July 1, 2011

The print disabled in the communities of Mobile Alabama and Pensacola Florida woke up this morning with static on their closed circuit radio receivers as WHIL Radio Reading Service and Sightline Radio Reading Service cease to broadcast with the start of the new fiscal year.

WHIL Radio Reading Service and Sightline are members of the International Association of Audio Information Services, an organization that encourages and supports the establishment and maintenance of services that provide access to printed information for individuals who cannot read conventional print because of blindness or any other visual, physical or learning disability.

The recent economic climate has had an adverse affect on many social services and Audio Information Services are no exception. Audio Information Services across the country have been forced to reduce local programming, cut staff and step up private fundraising efforts in an attempt to continue to provide current, LOCAL, print information to low vision, Blind and elderly residents of their communities.

While it's true that the Internet, smartphones and other amazing new technology can open up a world of information for many people, there are also large numbers of people who aren't able to afford and successfully operate such devices. These are the people who benefit from a special tabletop radio with an on/off switch, which provides personal access to daily readings of grocery ads, obituaries, local news and events. Providing 24/7 service costs only pennies a day. Audio Information Service programs provide equal access to local news, local government actions and information about events in the community, that allow full and informed participation by sight impaired listeners. To find out more about The International Association of Audio information Services or to locate a service in your community call 800-280-5325 or visit the website iaais.org