WHIL Radio Reading Service Blindsided by funding cut

From: "BlindNews Mailing List" <BlindNews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <BlindNews@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:19:01 -0400

Gulf Coast Newspapers, AL, USA
Thursday, October 25, 2007

By Curt Chapman Staff Writer

Service suddenly loses state money to serve visually impaired

It could be considered the unkindest cut of all. The WHIL Radio Reading
Service, which has served visually and physically impaired residents of Baldwin
and Mobile counties free of charge for nearly two decades, recently learned the
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) plans to cancel its new
contract, using a clause enabling state officials to do so.

Volunteer Sharon Grimes reads a local newspaper to listeners of the WHIL Radio
Reading Service, a source of news and information for the visually impaired in
Baldwin and Mobile counties. RRS Director Brad Martin (at left operating the
control board) said the service's funding will soon dry up because officials
with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services have abruptly pulled the
agency's $45,000 contract. The state contends the money will be better spent on
its primary mission - training and finding jobs for disabled residents. Photo
courtesy of Keith Necaise.

That signals a loss of around $45,000 for the current fiscal year which began
Oct. 1, and could silence a source of news and information that helps give a
sense of independence to hundreds, if not thousands, through special radios,
Comcast Cable in Mobile and streaming Internet audio.

WHIL-FM General Manager Mario Mazza said, "They signed a contract a couple of
months ago, and we thought everything was fine. But, there's a 30-day
cancellation clause, and they exercised that. Birmingham has the only other
fully developed (24-hour) radio reading service (through WBHM-FM). They cut
them 20 percent, but they were given a year. We were just told we were going by
the wayside. This was a big surprise since this thing has been going on
unabated since 1989. We would have liked to have been given more notice."

Jim Carden, assistant ADRS commissioner for blind and deaf services, said, "It
was late notice, and I regret that. I can't give an excuse for that." He added,
"This year our funding to adequately provide services has really been tight.
Our primary mission is rehabilitation, job training and placement for the
blind. I first discussed this with our blind advisory committee, and their
priority was our vocational services. We were looking to expand our services
with the Mobile Association for the Blind with a job readiness program for
blind folks."

The Mobile-based RRS operates from studios located on the Spring Hill College
campus with only two paid employees. They handle administrative, programming
and technical duties, while volunteers read local and national print media,
including this and other Gulf Coast Newspapers publications.

Mazza said, "We try to provide things for a visually impaired person - things
they can't provide themselves unless they can have someone read to them. We
read news, editorial columns and magazines. They are primarily local, but also
regional and national. It's not a matter of these things being easily replaced.
We touch 400 to 500 people just through the radios. For the funding per person,
it's a small amount."

RRS Director Brad Martin, can relate to the value of the reading service
because he has been blind since birth. He said the state funding loss is
especially tough to swallow because the service already operates in a no-frills
manner, and there are no realistic ways to reduce costs.

"We've already cut as much as we can cut," Martin said. "We used to spend $100
per radio, but now are able to buy $25 radios."

The radios are used to receive the special 91.3 FM subchannel used for RRS
broadcasts. Users who can afford it are asked to make a donation to pay for
their radio, but it is not required.

Martin said local publications donate subscriptions while a couple of national
magazines charge standard rates, adding money is saved in other ways in order
to stretch the meager budget.

Carden noted the ultimate decision to drop funding after 18 years was made
locally, where spending discretion is placed.

Manny Russo, ADRS supervisor in Mobile, said, "I have to prioritize the money
in the area. We take a strong look at where to spend our money to meet our
mission. The department participation initially was seed money. It was never
intended to be a permanent source of income (for RRS). We need to use the money
to serve disabled individuals. Our mission is to help people go to work for
themselves and their families."

Pointing out the irony, Mazza said, "They are taking away the employment of a
blind person to do this."

But, Russo emphasized, "We try to do as much as we can in our community to help
the visually impaired with their quality of life. It (WHIL RRS) really doesn't
fall in the realm of our true mission and that is to help people get to work."

Carden said, "There are also radio reading services in Tuscaloosa and
Huntsville. Mobile and Birmingham were the only places we provided funding." He
said he doesn't intend in any way to downplay the role the WHIL RRS plays in
the lives of those it serves, but added there are other sources for similar
services in this high-tech age, a fact that helped lead to the decision to pull
funding.

Russo pointed to newspapers and magazines that now furnish online content,
which can be accessed via special software that "reads" text using an
electronic voice. He also mentioned the National Federation of the Blind
Newsline, which is available by telephone, as well as Tell Me, another
interactive phone service that provides print content.

Martin said both can be problematic, however, especially for low income
individuals as well as the elderly, who are developing vision problems such as
macular degeneration.

"The software is cost prohibitive for many," he said. "And (seniors) are doing
things like trying to cook for themselves. Learning to control a computer is a
challenge at 20 and 30, but if you're 80 and trying to pour your coffee without
spilling it, learning to surf the Internet is nearly impossible. I'm used to
it. It's not worth the frustration of retraining yourself at such a late age.
We make it easy for them."

Martin said because many RRS listeners may not know anyone who will read to
them on a regular basis, and will not likely embrace new technology, they will
feel less independent if the service goes dark.

The WHIL RRS has around 80 volunteers on its roster, with 50 voicing nearly 38
hours of programming each week. Other material is relayed via satellite or
through online sources.

Martin said the RRS is a member of the International Association of Audio
Information Services. The local reading service syndicates programs worldwide
through the IAAIS servers, which are hosted at the WHIL studios. In turn, the
WHIL RRS "borrows" programming from other members.

Among them, he said, are AARP publications, which are broadcast from Indiana,
and Southern Living magazine broadcasts, which originate from a Virginia radio
reading service.

"We share Newsweek, TV Guide and O (Oprah Winfrey's magazine)," Martin said,
adding he has heard WHIL RRS volunteers reading on a San Francisco service.

"We all exist on next to nothing because the value of what we do is
understated," he said. "Many people don't know someone who is blind, so it's no
big deal (to them)."

There is alternative funding available to keep RRS on the air, according to
Russo. He said, "There are a lot of grants out there. If someone works hard at
it, I believe the funding is available."

Martin disagrees. He said replacement funding will be difficult to secure on
such short notice. Most public agencies and private foundations have already
earmarked their donations for the next 12 months, he noted.

Russo had initially planned to end the funding effective Dec. 31, but RRS has
been given a little wiggle room.

Mazza and Martin appealed to state legislators for help. Rep. Chad Fincher
(R-Semmes) managed to get the RRS an extension. He is also helping by looking
for additional funding sources.

Carden said, "I've discussed this with my boss, (ADRS Commissioner) Steve
Shivers, and we extended that funding through March 31."

Mazza said, "We're happy for the stay of execution, but eventually there's
going to be an execution. We're certainly looking for alternative sources of
funding, but that's going to be hit and miss."

WHIL's recent on-air fund-raiser garnered some money for RRS, but much more is
needed. Martin said, "During the pledge period, we pitched the reading service.
There has been some support. It's appreciated, but we have long way to go to
make $45,000 back. We will follow as many different angles as we have to, to
keep things going."

Donations to RRS are welcome. They can be mailed to WHIL Radio Reading Service,
P.O. Box 8509, Mobile, AL 36689-0509.

For more information about the WHIL RRS, or if you know someone who can benefit
from the service, call Martin at (251) 380-4699, or visit www.alaprint.org.

To find out more about Tell Me, call (800) 555-8355. If you would like to get
on board Newsline, call Dezman Jackson at (251) 689-4623 or e-mail him at
jacksd06@xxxxxxxxxxxx

http://www.baldwincountynow.com/articles/2007/10/25/local_news/doc471e2d21bbc0d791995924.txt
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WHIL Radio Reading Service Blindsided by funding cut

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