Many of us take for granted our ability to read the bombardment of newspapers, magazines, journals, and books that occupy our workday and free time. If we want information of any sort, all we have to do is look it up or search the Web, but for thousands of Kentuckians (and millions worldwide) reading is something they only remember or imagine doing. Thankfully, there are wonderful groups around the world dedicated to helping these individuals, many of which pass under the community radar. Kentuckians are lucky to have one such group, Central Kentucky Radio Eye, or CKRE.
Founded in 1990 by Dr. Alfred Crabb, a professor at the University of Kentucky, CKRE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the written word to thousands of Kentuckians suffering from visual impairments, blindness, and other physical handicaps, through 24/7 radio broadcasts.
Serving over 13 counties, CKRE's broadcasts of state, regional, and local newspapers, local and national magazines, and specialty programs reach nearly 3,000 listeners (700 here in Lexington) via sub-carrier authorization radios, which are loaned out through CKRE free of charge. In addition, CKRE's broadcasts can now be heard on Library Channel 20, the cable channel for the Lexington Public Library, for a few hours each morning, via the Internet at www.RadioEye.org, plus through in-house stations at numerous area hospitals and nursing homes.
"Our immediate goal is to increase listeners," said CKRE Executive Director and Chair Margaret Chase. "Each year we provide new radios for somewhere between 50-100 new listenersÖThere are about 100 or so radio reading services nationwide but we are the only one here in Kentucky. That's why it's so important that we keep this free service going and to reach as many people as we can."
CKRE is completely run by volunteers, and one paid employee. "About five years ago we employed our first person (Sarah Nix)," said Chase. "Now Sarah is our only paid staff person. We rely on a pool of about 100 volunteers, two weekend managers, and 60 volunteers to get us on the air each week. We're on-air 24 hours a day with local hours 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Other programs come in via satellite feed, plus we do our own special programming."
Among the papers read on-air every day are the Lexington Herald-Leader, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Reader's Digest, Richmond Register, and the Louisville Courier Journal. During the 'Kentucky Series' that airs noon-1 p.m. Mon.-Fri., volunteers will read from local community papers and magazines like Ace and Business Lexington. Interspersed throughout the broadcasts are special programs compiled and recorded by CKRE volunteers.
"Another goal is to improve the standard of programming," said Chase, a native of Birmingham, England, and former employee of the Royal Institute for the Blind in London. "In the last couple years we have really expanded the programs provided. It used to be just straight newspaper reading. What we do now is turn text into speech. We've also started including special programming to help listeners make educated decisions about the things going on in their lives: Disability News, The Health Corner, People's Pharmacy-programs we are producing."
Volunteer hosts will gather information for a particular segment from various print-based material to read on-air, said Chase. The Grocery Show, which Chase said takes three hours to produce and 30 minutes to prepare, gives listeners the upcoming week's grocery specials.
"The host is just marvelous," said Chase. "She puts this show together and puts it in a certain order so listeners know what is coming. She goes through each paper and reads the ads, so if you like frozen dinners, you know that is coming up first, if you like Kroger, you know that is coming up first, and so on."
Another special program produced in-house is Job Talk, where the host reads from the Help Wanted ads to inform listeners about jobs that people who are blind, impaired, or disabled, might be able to do, said Chase.
Volunteer and listener Joyce McGuire has relied on the services of CKRE since November 1990, when she walked through the doors of CKRE, located in the King Library on the University of Kentucky campus.
"I'm able to get out and move around, especially with the help of my guide dog," said McGuire, who has been legally blind for 27 years. "But we have listeners who can't move arms or legs, who can hardly raise their heads and need someone to turn on the receivers to listen--these are the most vital people we serve. A totally blind person has to rely on sound for entertainment, and I think it's extremely important they have access to CKRE."
In addition to being a listener, McGuire also was the control board operator---no small task if you've ever seen the myriad knobs and switches. She said it wasn't too terrible to learn, thanks to Crabb who did a "great job marking buttons."
"We have such great people involved with this program," said McGuire. "We have people in their upper-80s who read for us, graduate students, professors, UK Communications staff, professionals, all walks of life. I really feel Lexington has benefited from this program and the blind need the support of the citizens."
Because CKRE relies so heavily on free help, volunteers are always in need. To get programs on the air each day, studio manager Sarah Nix said it takes roughly 10-12 volunteers. "Volunteers come in to fill out an application and audition, which consists of a reading test that we record to check for pronunciation, pace, tone," said Nix, who handles the recruitment and training of volunteers. "But pretty much when people come in who are interested, it's going to work."
Volunteers are asked to give one hour of their time to either read live on the air or to enter one of the small sound booths to pre-record their segment.
"A lot of our readers are reluctant to read on-air, but they'll do it just fine pre-recorded," said 11-year volunteer Tom Dixon, who reads the Herald-Leader each morning from 8-10 a.m. "I read live and don't get too nervous; I got enough ham in me!"
In addition to the constant need for volunteers, CKRE also relies on the help of community organizations and individuals to fund the day-to-day operations.
"We're an independent organization; we operate 100 percent on grants, in-kind donations, and fundraisers," said Chase. "A lot of my time is spent trying to raise funds. We do a direct mailing each year and a fundraiser with Barnes & Noble, and we have a huge amount of repeat donors--the Lexington Lions, Keeneland, the Good Samaritan Foundation.
"Last year we did two appeals, the annual and our moving appeal," continued Chase. "We're moving to the Northside library in mid to late '08, depending on construction, weather, etc., on Russell Cave Road. We've been here on the UK campus for 17 years and they've been absolutely wonderfulÖbut our longtime goal is to expand the service statewide, and the library has recognized our need for growth. It's going to be a lovely building and a wonderful fit for both of us."
Nix said many of their volunteers have been with the program for several years. Dixon said it was the perfect way to give back to the community.
"Any plans to quit volunteering? No way," said Dixon. "I want to see our new quarters!"