NEWS & RESOURCES
When Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service first went on the air 35 years ago, the Internet was very much a novelty and there was no such thing as Audible.com. Books-on-tape came in binders of six cassettes for the average novel. And computers converting text to speech? That was the stuff of science fiction.
So, since March 19, 1987, people who were blind, had low vision, or had other print disabilities were treated to something few had dreamed of: a consistent, reliable, and daily reading of their local newspapers, national magazines, and books.
All of these were read by volunteers and broadcast over a private frequency to each Listeners own radio receiver. Before Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service came to be, they had to depend on friends and family to read for them.
Tens of thousands in Western New York and Southern Ontario have had their lives enriched by the service – one page at a time. They’ve kept up with critically important news, followed events in their community, and kept abreast of their favorite sports teams.
Less than two years ago, when Radio Reading Service began streaming its live feed online and making popular programs available through podcasts, thousands more had instant access through almost any Internet-connected device, including desktops, laptops, tablets, smart phones, and smart speakers.
Studies have shown that radio reading listeners are more engaged in the community, more open-minded and more creative. Radio reading programs not only inform and share news, but they also entertain and inspire. Their familiarity brings listeners a sense of companionship, as if the reader was next to them and reading just to them!
There are an estimated 120,000 people in WNY-Southern Ontario-Rochester region who are blind or have low vision or another physical or cognitive disability that makes reading difficult or impossible.
We have been covering Western New York for nearly 35 years and over that time our Listeners have enjoyed a 24/7 program selection that is loaded with local and national newspapers, magazines, and NY Times best-selling books. And now we’re bringing our model east to Rochester.
For years these services were provided by WXXI Reachout Radio, which closed at the end of May. While we may not be able to fill their shoes, we have the capacity to make sure Listeners in the region have access to local news and publications.
Our radio broadcast does not have the range to reach Rochester and the Genesee Valley, so we plan to begin offering a dedicated online stream that any Listener with an Internet connection will be able to access on almost any device – computer, tablet, smartphone or smart speaker. We’ve already begun reading the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle from Monday through Friday and have posted it to our website. Support for this initiative is courtesy of Wegmans.
There are about 20,000 people who are blind or visually impaired in Rochester and the Genesee Valley – and many more who have a print disability that makes holding a book or turning a page difficult or impossible. It’s clear that while the “how” of audio and reading services will continue to evolve, the “what” and “why” remain as important as ever. And while national and international stories are important, the most important news for our Listeners is local – what’s happening in their backyard that impacts their day-to-day lives.
We’re looking for volunteers who are interested and available to read the Democrat & Chronicle, the Rochester Business Journal, the many weekly newspapers that serve Rochester’s suburbs, and other local daily, weekly, or monthly publications. And volunteers will be able to record and submit their readings from the comfort of their own home!
If you or anyone you know would like to be a volunteer reader, please contact us at (716) 821-5555.
Thank you!
NFRRS 2.0
Streaming & Podcast Initiative
In July 2020, your Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service launched NFRRS 2.0 – a new Podcasts & Streaming Initiative that brought the radio station’s live feed and program archives to the Internet. This move removed the limitation requiring listeners to use a special radio receiver and enabled any listener with an internet connection the ability to access live and recorded content when, where and however they want through their computer browser, smart phone, smart speaker or other device.
This powerful new initiative would not have been possible without the generosity and support of the organizations below.
ABOUT US
Your Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service was founded in 1987 to help people who are blind, have low vision, or have other print-related disabilities “read” printed materials.
Volunteers read books, magazines, newspapers, and other print materials that are heard 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These readings are broadcast over a private subcarrier radio frequency to listeners who have a special receiver and are streamed online over the Internet. About 280,000 hours of material has been broadcast since our first days.
The agency was launched through the hard work and clear vision of founder Robert Sikorski, a lawyer by vocation and former general manager at WBFO 88.7. Over his 30+ year tenure, he tirelessly labored to secure funding, recruit volunteers, and reach new listeners – all while operating a service that was on air 24/7. Michael Benzin took over as Executive Director in December 2018.
NEW AFFILIATION BRINGS GREAT PROMISE
In December 2018, your Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service began a new affiliation with Western New York Independent Living, one of the state’s largest comprehensive agencies serving people with disabilities. The relationship not only provides needed administrative supports for our service such as accounting, payroll, HR, IT, and maintenance, it offers both agencies the ability to leverage each other’s strengths as advocates for our community.
Western New York Independent Living is a community-based non-profit organization that serves more than 7,000 people with disabilities annually through peer counseling, support for independent living, transitional services, advocacy, information and referrals.
WHY PRINT IS IMPORTANT
Because of one or more of a variety of print disabilities, not everybody can read or read well. Yet reading is important. Print media, for example, can offer a greater and more detailed perspective and analysis than most TV or radio news programs. Print has both the space for words and the time for perspective. And books are a wonderful literary tool. Books encourage, entertain, illuminate, inspire, motivate, and teach. They help readers understand that nothing is impossible, allow readers to take action, and help readers know their true potential.
But, even with improved today’s technology, people who are blind, have low vision, or have other print-related disabilities are unable to access print materials. Studies have shown that people who read – or have material read to them – are more open-minded, creative, and show enhanced cognitive engagement in vocabulary, thinking skills, and concentration. Reading has been shown to reduce stress and help keep the brain functioning effectively as people age. Readers also have stronger capacities in things that can affect empathy, social perception, and emotional intelligence.
People who read are more positively engaged in their community than people who don’t.
LINKS & RESOURCES
The links below connect with our partners and other organizations who provide programs and services for people who are blind, have low vision, or have other print disabilities.
Western New York Independent Living
Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL) is a family of agencies in Erie, Genesee, and Niagara Counties that provide services and programs that assist individuals with disabilities to remain independently living, working and thriving in the communities of their choice. Your Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service is an affiliate of WNYIL.
International Association of Audio Information Services
Your Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Services is proud to be a member of the IAAIS, a volunteer-driven membership organization of services that turn text into speech for people who cannot see, hold, or comprehend the printed word and who may be unable to access information due to a disability or health condition. Since its formation in 1977, the IAAIS (formerly the Association of Radio Reading Services) has assisted, represented, and set standards of good practice for audio information services worldwide.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Paul Beakman, Sr.
Vice President
Richard Dread
Treasurer
Ann Scherff
Secretary
Sue Ann Sehl
Board Members
Patricia LaMonte
Charles (Chuck) Nellis
William Saurer
Frauke Stoffel
Kenneth Sullivan
Their support and counsel has played a critical role in our success!
Joyce Trautman Bobrowski
Donna Dickey
Ann Marie Ford, ex officio
Cheryl Haake
Margaret Mergenhagen
William A. Miles
Walt Otto
Margaret Recktenwald
Margaret Riso
David Roll
Ronald Scholze
Robert Sikorski, Executive Director
Ronald Sipos
Suzanne Swanson Wittek
Chairs Emeritus
David Hall
Lori Heidenburg Morrell
Staff
Executive Director
Michael E. Benzin, CFRE
mike@nfradioreading.org or (716) 821-5555, ext. 2
Program Manager
Nicholas J. Aldrich
nick@nfradioreading.org or (716) 821-5555, ext. 1
Community Engagement Coordinator
Marian Hetherly, MBA, CGS
marian@nfradioreading.org or (716) 821-5555, ext. 3
Administrative Assistant
Renee Larcom
rlarcom@nfradioreading.org or (716) 821-5555, ext. 4