Contents:

Radio Reading Services on the web

IAAIS refutation of Salon Magazine article

heARRSay, the newsletter (read by Lori, RealAudio)

IAAIS Bylaws

IAAIS Bylaws (listen to RealAudio file)

Policy on Accessibility

Annual Conference

Since its formation in 1977, I.A.A.I.S. (formerly the National Association of Radio Reading Services) has grown to nearly 100 members. With the development of reading services worldwide, and the advent of new technologies for delivering audio, at the 1999 annual conference in Rochester New York, the name of the organization was changed.

IAAIS is an organization of services that provide audio access to information for people who are print disabled (blind, visually impaired, learning disabled or physically disabled).

Some of these services are affiliated with state or voluntary agencies serving people who are print disabled. Others are independent non-profit agencies. Many are associated with public radio stations, commercial FM stations, colleges, universities or libraries.

Reading services can be found throughout the United States as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Africa.

Membership

Any reading service is eligible for membership. For further information about membership benefits, call the International Association of Audio Information Services, 800-280-5325.

Listener Eligibility

Anyone who is print disabled is eligible to become a radio reading service listener. The Library of Congress estimates that 1.5 percent of the US population is print disabled. Millions of people worldwide are qualified to receive reading services. For further information about a service in your area, call the International Association of Audio Information Services, 800-280-5325.

Types of Information

Radio reading service listeners hear news, features, sports, business, opinions, advertisements and other material from newspapers, books and magazines. Informational and public affairs programming are also available on many services. Some services provide audio descriptions of live theater, museum exhibits, nature trails, parades, and other visual venues. Some service broadcast their radio signal live on the internet using RealAudio or Emblaze players, and some archive programs for on-demand internet or dial-up listening.

Volunteers

Volunteers provide numerous hours of live and recorded programs for radio reading services each day. With the assistance of these dedicated volunteers, radio reading services are able to provide their listeners a wide variety of timely and informative programming.

Transmission Methods

Radio reading services are typically broadcast on a subcarrier channel of an FM radio station. Listeners must have a pre-tuned SCA (Subsidiary Communications Authorization) receiver to pick up the closed circuit broadcast. Some services broadcast on a television SAP (Second Audio Program) channel, cable systems, or open channel radio broadcasts. Additionally, other services offer programming over the Internet or through telephone dial-in services.

Funding

Each and every radio reading service has its own fund-raising methods. Some receive support from local or state government. Others receive contributions from foundations, service organizations, businesses or corporations. Many also rely on the generosity of listeners, volunteers and friends of the radio reading service.

For further information about becoming a member, listener, volunteer or donor, call the International Association of Audio Information Services, 800-280-5325.

If you'd like more information about starting an audio information service for the benefit of print-restricted members of your community, call IAAIS at 1-800-280-5325, or contact the IAAIS Growth & Development chairperson, Lynne Koral at A.I.R.R.E.S., 1102 W. International Airport Rd., Anchorage, AK 99518, or e-mail aiblink@ak.net.