What is it all about?

Why a radio station for the print handicapped?

Radio 1RPH provides news and other information needed by people who are print handicapped. Because they cannot read printed material, we help these people to overcome their disadvantage by utilising the skills of volunteer readers and administrative supporters to turn print into sound, thus providing the print handicapped with a broad range of detailed information which is available in printed form, but not provided by other radio and television stations.

Who are the print handicapped?

Radio 1RPH is a reading service for the print handicapped. The definition of "print handicapped" covers people who:

are blind or vision impaired;

paraplegic or quadriplegic;

severely affected by arthritis, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis or dyslexia;

intellectually handicapped or have never learned to read;

from non-English speaking backgrounds who understand but cannot read the language;

have suffered a stroke.

An estimated 10% of people in the Canberra Region (30,000) are print handicapped.

Many illnesses prevent a person from easily reading the printed page by making it impossible for them to turn pages or hold and manipulate books, newspapers and magazines properly.

Choice of Programs

At present our programs include:

readings from daily newspapers, magazines and books;

theme programs on topics such as books, music, gardening, religion, current affairs, health, science, computers and travel;

program time for others who provide services of interest to the print handicapped, including blindness organisations, the A.C.T. library service, A.C.T. MS Society, Council on the Ageing, RSPCA, Heraldry and Geneology and War Veterans;

Christian programs which cover a wide range of publications from a variety of Christian churches;

BBC World Service.

The RPH Network

Radio 1RPH is a member of RPH Australia and a participating station in the National RPH network, one of the largest in Australia, reaching 80% of the population. There are RPH stations in each capital city except Darwin. RPH Australia represents our interests to governments and the broadcast industry, provides a means for information and program exchange and maintains links with RPH services in New Zealand, Japan, Canada and the United States.

Radio 1RPH broadcasts on 1125kHz in the A.M. band from studios located on the Barton Highway at Gungahlin, in the Australian Capital Territory.

It is a non-profit organisation, run by volunteers.

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	are blind or vision impaired;
	paraplegic or quadriplegic;
	severely affected by arthritis, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis or dyslexia;
	intellectually handicapped or have never learned to read;
	from non-English speaking backgrounds who understand but cannot read the language;
	have suffered a stroke.