Reading For Life Radio brings printed matter to life for millions of people throughout the United States with vision or reading disabilities, affording them independence, dignity, and enrichment through the use of innovative technology and dedicated volunteer readers. "Thank you. The reading service is my lifeline to life as it is being lived today." Edith Gunlicks, Ft. Myers, FL "Thank you very much for letting me hear what my eyes cannot see." Thelma R. Nagler, NYC "I listen to the NY Times and your broadcast opens windows on the world that were formerly shut to me." Allan Townsend, San Antonio, TX "Every morning, I get up early. I turn on the radio, keeping it close with the volume low. In the darkened house, I sit huddled over the receiver, drinking coffee and eating a small breakfast. In Touch is a warming, comforting presence. It is audible proof that others care and wish me well; not only my family and friends, but an entire network of people. I have done the same almost every morning for 16 years. I don't know what I would do without you." Dr. Joseph Fontenot, Mobile, AL Who Are We? Reading For Life Radio is a free, closed circuit radio reading service for people who are blind, or are visually or functionally impaired so that they cannot comfortably read print media. Reading For Life Radio's volunteer readers broadcast timely articles and content from over 100 newspapers, magazines, leisure time publications, and best selling books including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and People Magazine. Reading For Life Radio is on the air 24 hours a day, seven days a week broadcasting from studios in midtown Manhattan. Our signal reaches an audience at home or at work in New York City and its suburbs. Reading For Life Radio also distributes its programming to over 60 New York metropolitan area hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Programming is available free to over 23,000 patient and resident bedsides in these facilities via their in-house closed circuit TV systems. Nationally, Reading For Life Radio's programming can also be heard via its network of over 50 program affiliate reading services, who use all or part of our programming as a component of their reading services. They reach over one half million individuals weekly in communities in 28 states across the United States. Our Audience There is no reason for Reading For Life Radio to exist if there is no audience for its services. Sadly this is not the case. According to a study sponsored by the National Eye Institute and reported in the Archives of Ophthalmology (April 2004), blindness or low vision affects 3.3 million Americans age 40 and over, or one in 28 individuals. While dealing with vision loss is difficult emotionally, behaviorally, socially and functionally, not being able to access current in depth news and information puts people with visual impairments at a definite disadvantage - it is more difficult to be as knowledgeable about the world or as empowered to make informed decisions as people who do not have a visual impairment. Not being able to read newspapers and magazines that one is accustomed to can be frustrating and depressing, presenting an obstacle as insurmountable as any physical barrier. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) research indicates that there are 1.3 million people in the United States that are legally blind. It estimates that approximately an additional 75,000 people a year will become visually impaired and that there are 10 million people in the U.S. who are either blind or visually impaired. In this number 5.5 million are seniors. NFB believes that in the next 30 years, increasing numbers of aging baby boomers will become either blind or visually impaired, doubling the number of persons in this category. Recent media reports on increased obesity rates in America and resulting diabetes rates may result in more Americans suffering visual impairment. Visually impaired individuals are not the only potential audience for ReadingFor Life Radio's programming. Candidates also include persons suffering from any disability that leaves them unable to read and handle printed matter. These can include individuals with physical motor impairment or learning disabilities such as dyslexia. Our Programming Our primary source for program content is the nation's well-recognized print media. Articles about local, national, and worldwide news, health education, and programs based on arts and leisure are among those transmitted. Best-selling novels or other publications relevant to health, culture, and other topics of interest are also transmitted. It is true that in the New York City area alone there are two all news radio stations, two all sports stations and a fulltime business radio station, listeners can also get news and information from numerous talk and information broadcasters as well as several public radio stations that devote some or all of their programming to news and information. Yet, that information is delivered in short snippets. Conversations with our audience tell us that once they turn on our radio receiver, it is kept tuned to Reading For Life Radio throughout the day and evening. Our programming gives them access to information that would otherwise be denied them. They tell us how important it is to then to be as informed as those with sight. We provide the information which brings independence and dignity to their lives. Are there alternatives to our programming? Of course there are but while numerous other services such as satellite radio and television also provide important news and information resources to the general public, they are not focused on the specific requirements of our audience. Unlike television news, which provides only a brief glimpse of the day's headlines or the all news radio format that repeats the same stories all day long, Reading For Life Radio provides detailed in depth coverage of current events, financial matters, popular culture, politics, health and disability issues, and the arts. Volunteers As a traditional radio reading service, Reading For Life Radio utilizes volunteers to read programs that are presented live and via recorded media 24 hours a day, every day of the year. There are approximately 150 volunteer readers for Reading For Life Radio. They have all successfully passed an audition for voice quality and ability to articulate well on the radio. Most of our volunteer readers are professional actors and voice-over artists. Though you may not know their names, you will most certainly recognize their voices. One such volunteer is nationally-known voice-over artist and announcer Les Marshak (best known from his work on NBC's Today show). Though not an active reader, Legendary radio broadcaster Cousin Brucie (Bruce Morrow) is a supporter and board advisor. Current Need for Support Since the 1990's the Jewish Guild for the Blind has been supporting the only radio reading service in New York but it terminated these operations at the end of September 2009 to focus its resources on the medical needs of the blind. Reading For Life Radio was formed to continue this mission and has broadcast without interruption to bring these vital services to the blind and visually impaired and disabled community. Reading For Life Radio now needs your help. Though we have reached our initial fund raising goal and will be able to keep operations going during this transition period, we need to continue to bring this vital service to hundreds of thousands of listeners who depend upon us to maintain their connection to the world. This year our operating budget will exceed $1 million dollars. With your generous support we can continue this vital service to all our listeners and build the next generation of radio reading service. A service that is able to connect all those now suffering visual or reading impairment in the New York City area and throughout the nation. Won't you consider supporting this vital free service?