SITE

Last updated on April 4, 2008

Each day volunteers read stories from the state's daily and weekly newspapers to listeners who are blind, visually impaired or print handicapped. The readings are produced in studios in Brewer and Portland and broadcast statewide via the secondary audio program channels of Maine PBS. We read local news, features, obituaries, store ads and other information that blind or visually impaired would not otherwise receive. Your reading helps our listeners achieve independence by being better informed.

Our volunteers should be able to read clearly, intelligently and in a relaxed manner. We audition each new reader. Live on-air readings are performed by pairs of readers. A new reader is paired with an experienced "veteran" who helps train a new reader in matters of material selection and on-air style.

Some readers commit to hour-long shifts each week (plus 30 minutes' preparation time). Others enjoy the flexibility of recording half-hour programs on a schedule that best fits their time.

We require an audition for new readers. It consists of reading typical stories that we broadcast daily. We listen for inflection, pacing and pronunciation. The audition takes about 15 minutes. Once a new reader is "hired," he or she signs up for a shift that may consist of reading with another reader (for live broadcasts, two readers share the duties) and preparing material for airing.

We have no length of time requirement, but we ask that readers call us they can't read on a particular day. Many readers have been with us since we signed on in 2000. This is your opportunity to raise your voice for the blind and visually impaired.

This opportunity is sponsored by: Maine Audio Information and Reading Service

We need volunteers who are free at these times

Occasional Weekends Weekdays Weekly

This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers

Adolescents (13-17) Individual Adults (26-54) Young Adults (18-25) Adults (55+)

I'm interested in this opportunity

Contact Person:
Les Myers, Director, (phone), (email)

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Address:

12 Acme Road, Suite 104 Brewer, ME 04412 (See a map)

Directions:

From Bangor, cross the Chamberlain bridge into Brewer. Go straight through the intersection (Rite Aid pharmacy is on the right). You're on Wilson Street. At the next traffic light, turn right. Brewer Auditorium is on the left. You're on Acme Road. 12 Acme Road is the first building on the left, and Suite 104 is the last door on the right facing Acme Road. If traveling from Holden and beyond and traveling west, at the intersection where Dunkin' Donuts is located, bear left. At the first traffic light on Wilson Street, turn left. That's Acme Road and 12 Acme is the first building on your left.   Nearest Bus Stop: Hannaford Brothers, Wilson Street, 15 minute walk

Web Site: http://www.theiris.org

Miscellaneous Information

Average number of hours per volunteer that are required weekly to do this task.
	Varies according to volunteers' schedules
We need the following number of people to fill this position.
	Our Portland reader roster is nearly full, but we need Bangor/Brewer area readers (as of April 2008)

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