FJP Community Network Grant Winner: Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service

Better serve blind and visually-impaired news consumers by creating on-demand broadcasts on additional platforms to serve the community's growing needs.

$24,996

Studies prove that print media offers a greater perspective and analysis than TV or radio news. A newspaper cannot only tell you what happened yesterday, it can also tell you why, and can provide additional details on what happened. Newspapers have both the space for words and the time for perspective.

But, even with improved today’s technology, people who are blind, have low vision, or have other print-related disabilities are unable to access local and national newspapers and magazines. With our service, volunteers read these publications live or record them for future broadcast. The Niagara Frontier Radio Reading Service (NFRRS) broadcasts 24/7 to listeners in Buffalo and WNY.

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 keep the brain functioning effectively as we 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.

NFRRS would like to expand the number of listeners we reach by bringing our signal online through live feeds and podcasts. Listeners will be able to access the news and information they want, when they want, on virtually any connected device. We would also like to offer news and information especially targeted to the unique needs of our audience.

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