WILL Community Services: Illinois Radio Reader
Illinois Radio Reader
59 East Armory
Champaign, IL 61820
217-333-6503
Director Deane Geiken
The Illinois Radio Reader is a free radio service for the blind and visually impaired community of east central Illinois. More than 350 listeners are kept up-to-date on world, national, state and local news via a special radio receiver. The service depends on more than 70 volunteer readers, who produce some 80 hours of local programming each week. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, call 217-333-6503.
What does IRR broadcast?
A free program guide is available by contacting IRR.
The following newspapers are presented every weekday:
Wall Street Journal
Decatur Herald & Review
Bloomington-Normal Pantagraph
Champaign-Urbana News Gazette
Christian Science Monitor
Vermilion Co. editon of the News-Gazette
Local and area advertisements
The Gibson City Courier and the Rantoul Press are presented weekly.
Books, cooking programs, medical programs senior citizen features, entertainment programming.
In-Touch Network from New York, with its coverage of popular magazines.
Descriptive Video Service
In conjunction with WGBH and WILL-TV, IRR presents descriptive narration of popular public television shows like Mystery!, Nature and Masterpiece Theatre.
How does the service work?
IRR broadcasts on a subcarrier signal provided by WILL-TV.
Broadcasts can be heard only by obtaining special radio receivers, offered free of charge to qualified recipients.
IRR depends on a staff of volunteers to read the newspapers, magazines and books that are broadcast.
How do you qualify for a free receiver?
Anyone who has a visual or physical disability which impairs his or her ability to read may be eligible to obtain a special radio. Contact the IRR at 217-333-6503.
