Minnesota Radio Talking Book
(RTB) is a closed circuit, radio broadcasting network. The network
is designed to offer blind, visually impaired and physically impaired
people a wide selection of reading material in an audio format. Some
refer to the station as a radio reading service.
Although it’s
described as a radio service, listeners must have a special receiver
in order to get the signal. To receive a RTB receiver, a person
would need to submit an application certifying their need for this
service. Anyone who is unable to read written material due to a
physical or visual impairment qualifies. There is no cost for the
service. The application must be signed by a certifying authority,
such as a doctor, nurse, activity director, home health aid, librarian
or administrator.
When Radio Talking Book went on the air in 1969, no other radio reading
service existed. Since then RTB has become a model for similar programs
in many other countries and communities across the United States.
Variety is the key word in programming. The broadcasting schedule
at RTB reflects the biggest possible range of current information that
is available to persons without a visual or physical disability. A
random sample of programming may include readings of magazines, best
selling novels (in serial form), sports news, hobby periodicals, and
texts on a range of topics from politics and history to fashion, finance
and philosophy. There are even programs that convey information to
encourage vocational rehabilitation. Programs may include panel discussions
or interviews. Other shows draw on readings that offer advice on household
repairs, mechanical skills, cooking and personal health care.
Top-of-the-line readers
make the difference. Written material is read by RTB’s professional broadcasting team and by volunteers. A
listener will hear broadcasters reading newspapers, magazine articles,
conducting interviews and providing updates on news and weather. The
broadcasters also provide periodic programming reminders. Volunteers
are given reading assignments and record their materials on to tape
to be broadcast at the appropriate time. All of RTB’s professional
and volunteer readers have been thoroughly screened and are constantly
monitored for quality. As a result, listeners can expect a very high
quality product. Subscribers may even recognize some of the more prominent
readers’ names listed in their monthly newsletter.
Radio Talking Book is housed within the Communication Center, which
is a department within State Services for the Blind. The agency offers
programs for blind and visually impaired individuals that include rehabilitation
counseling, job training, braille transcription, taped textbook transcription,
technology assistance and independent living services for seniors.
It is funded by a mix of public and private sources.
Ed Lecher is Senior Outreach Coordinator at the State Services for
the Blind. Contact him at 651-642-0883. Inquiries about using the Radio
Talking Book service may be directed to Chris Schmiesser at 651-642-0885.
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The listings below are snapshots
(sample) of a Tuesday in July 2007 on Radio Talking Book:
6:15 a.m. Religion
Update – From Christianity Today, Christian Century,
Reform Judaism, Bible Review, The Lutheran, National Catholic
Reporter, Regeneration Quarterly, U.S. Catholic, The Witness
and more.
7:00 a.m. Morning
Newspapers – Live broadcast of the Star Tribune and
St. Paul Pioneer Press
11:00 a.m. Bookworm – Falling
Boy, Fiction by Allison McGhee, 2007
Joseph, in a wheelchair, has two new people in his life: Zak, a teen who works
in the bakery with him, and the girl Enzo. They’ve spread the idea that
Joseph is a superhero. L – Read by Pat Kovel-Jarvoe. Six broadcasts,
began June 27.
1:00 p.m.The New
Yorker - Featuring The New Yorker magazine.
5:00 p.m. Commentary – The
latest issues of national news magazines
9:00 p.m. Night
Journey – Snow Blind, Fiction by P.J. Tracy, 2006
Minneapolis sponsors a snowman-building contest but inside two of the snowmen
are dead police officers. When another similar body is found, Monkeewrench
is brought in. L – Read by Diane Ladenson, Eight broadcasts, begins July
18
1:00 a.m. After
Midnight – Twelve Sharp, Fiction by Janet Evanovich,
2006
Stephanie Plum is being stalked by a crazy woman. In spite of that, she needs
to search for a murder, while working with Ranger, a man with a dangerous reputation.
L – Read by Barbara Morison. Eight broadcasts, begins July 12
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Abbreviations: L – offensive
language
Radio Talking Book broadcasts
programs 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.
