Reachout Radio

Thousands of people in the Rochester area are unable to read standard print due to a visual or physical disability. You can help by telling someone you know about WXXI Reachout Radio. WXXI Reachout Radio is a radio reading service that provides 24-hour a day readings of local and national newspapers, magazines and other print material for people who are visually impaired or disabled.

Each day, WXXI volunteers read local and regional newspapers and other printed material over a free closed-circuit broadcast. In addition to the news, Reachout Radio’s schedule includes the grocery and convenience store ads, television listings and even the daily death notices. Reachout Radio isn’t only about the news – there’s also information that is specifically geared toward people with visual impairments, and access to community resources and events that can benefit people with disabilities.

This free service is available to qualified individuals through a special radio that is tuned only to the service. Reachout Radio is also available facility-wide at a number of local senior residences. Selected programs are also available for podcast at: http://wxxi.org/podcast. For more information, contact WXXI Reachout Radio at (585) 258-0333 or at radio@wxxi.org.

Eligibility

To qualify for services from Reachout Radio an individual needs to be visually impaired, have a physical disability that prohibits the holding of printed material, or have a learning disability such as dyslexia. The service is also available for people who are temporarily disabled due to surgery or accident.

Applying for a Reachout Radio receiver can be done by filling out an online form: select here.

Closed Circuit

WXXI Reachout Radio is a closed circuit service, which means it is not available on a regular radio. This service is accessible through a specially tuned radio provided free of charge to eligible applicants.

WXXI Reachout Radio is closed circuit due to United States copyright law. By the closed nature of the service, WXXI Reachout Radio is allowed to broadcast copyrighted printed information without the permission of the publisher, as long as the intent of the material used is for people who are not able to read as a result of a disability.

How To Apply

To request an application:
 
PHONE:  (585) 258-0333

MAIL:  Reachout Radio P.O. Box 30021 Rochester, New York 14603-3021

ONLINE:  www.wxxi.org/reachout

Listen Again Online

Selected Reachout Radio shows Available On-line

Have you missed an episode of New Beginnings or Enabled and wish you could find out what you missed? Wonder no more! Select the link below to visit WXXI's web site and download an MP3 from either New Beginnings or Enabled. This is a great option if you enjoy these programs and no longer have a Reachout Radio receiver. Be sure to spread the word!

http://wxxi.org/podcast/index.html#reachout