Do you start each day by reading the newspaper? Now you could help the region’s blind and low vision community by doing just that.
Vision Australia Radio (VAR) Albury/Wodonga is currently looking for volunteer presenters and producers for its Border Eye Opener program, in which newspapers are read on air to allow access by the region’s blind and low vision community.
The program airs five days a week from 6:30am to 7:30am and Vision Australia Hume Murrumbidgee Regional Business Manager Helen Vey said it’s one of the many vital programs provided by VAR.
“What our radio service does is provide people who are blind or have low vision, or who live with any other print disability, access to written material that could very well be off limits to them otherwise,” Ms Vey.
“Whether it’s a national newspaper or a local one like The Border Mail, programs like Border Eye Opener mean our community can keep up to date with news and other current affairs and be more connected and involved with the rest of society,” she said.
No previous radio experience is required to be a VAR volunteer and Ms Vey said it’s a great way to learn new skills as well as more about what living with blindness and low vision means.
“Whether you’re reading the paper on air or operating the production panel, we make sure all the necessary training and support is available. Many of volunteers have never seen the inside of a studio before.
“We have volunteers who themselves are blind or have low vision and the opportunity to interact with them is great way for people to get a better understanding of our community and correct some of the common misconceptions that can be out there.”
One of those volunteers is Lachlan Davidson, who has been volunteering at VAR Albury/Wodonga for three years.
Lachlan, who lives with low vision due to ocular albinism, currently operates the panel for Border Eye Opener and has used his time at VAR to learn the required skills to host a radio show on a separate community channel.
“I’ve always been interested in a career in radio and I thought this would be good way to see how it all works and try to learn some things,” Lachlan said.
For more information on how to become a Border Eye Opener volunteer, phone Vision Australia Coordinator of Volunteers Troy Gladwell on 02 6041 8800.