To access reading services programs, listeners usually need a specially-tuned radio, which is often lent free of charge to eligible applicants. Please contact the individual reading services for more information about eligibility and programming.
RISE
WMHT-RISE
4 Global View
Troy, NY 12180
Phone: 518-880-3400
URL: http://www.wmht.org/rise/
Area served: The 13-county area surrounding Albany and the Capital Region.
Description: WMHT's 24-hour radio station for blind and print disabled people in the Capital District and Hudson Valley region transmits on a subcarrier of the main WMHT-FM signal. Through a specially tuned table-top radio receiver, loaned free of charge to eligible applicants, listeners have access to readings of local and national newspapers, popular periodicals and books, as well as specialty programming.
Gatewave
244 Fifth Avenue, Suite G201
New York, NY 10001
Phone: (646) 202-1049
E-mail: info@gatewave.org
URL: http://gatewave.org/
Area served: New York City tri-state area
Description: Gatewave is a closed-circuit radio reading service that broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Volunteer broadcasters read the content from over 100 newspapers and magazines including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Cat Fancy, Dog Fancy and People. Gatewave distributes its programming to listeners cannot read standard printed materials because of a visual, learning or physical disability.
Read-Out Radio Reading Service
c/o WCNY Classic FM
P.O. Box 2400
Syracuse, NY 13220-2400
READ-OUT Information: Marie Lamb
Phone: (315) 453-2424, ext. 252
URL: http://www.wcny.org/radio/readout/
Area served: Syracuse, Watertown, Utica/Rome.
Description: READ-OUT is a free service used to inform and entertain blind and visually challenged residents of Central New York. Wherever you receive our signal, you can hear READ-OUT via a specially tuned single-frequency radio. READ-OUT is on the air 24/7 featuring news and information from across the spectrum of interests and entertainment.
WXXI Reachout Radio
280 State Street
Rochester, NY 14614
Phone: (585) 258-0333
URL: http://www.wxxi.org/reachout/index.html
Area served: Greater Rochester Area; Monroe, Orleans,
Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario, Wayne, Yates, Seneca,
Allegheny and Steuben counties
Description: WXXI Reachout Radio provides 24-hour-a-day readings of local and national newspapers, magazines, and books for people who are print-handicapped. The closed-circuit radio signal is accessible through a specially-tuned radio, which is provided free of charge to eligible applicants.
Contact person: Michael Benzin, Executive Director
Office fax number: (716) 821-0032
Area served: Western New York, Southern Ontario (Canada)
Description: The Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service, a private, not-for-profit agency, gives life to the printed word by reading newspapers, magazines, books and other publications for people who are blind, have low vision, or have other print disabilities. The service can be heard on a private frequency over the radio through special receivers that are loaned at no charge to listeners. Programs are also ‘live streamed’ over the Internet to listeners with computers, smart phones, smart speakers or tablets. Many programs are available by podcast through most of the popular podcast platforms. The Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service is on-the-air 24/7 year-round.
All programs are recorded or read live with the support of a team of more than 120 volunteers.
Patrons may also be interested in the National Federation of the Blind’s NFB-NEWSLINE service. NFB-NEWSLINE is a free audio service for those who cannot read regular newsprint. NFB-NEWSLINE offers access to more than 500 newspapers and magazines.
Access to the NFB-NEWSLINE service is available in several formats including touch-tone phone, email, the web, or through a mobile app.
If you are interested in NFB-NEWSLINE, please call our office to subscribe or call the National Federation of the Blind at 866-504-7300.