Print Radio Tasmania Inc

Print Radio Tasmania Inc is a community radio station based in Hobart, Tasmania, dedicated to providing a vital reading and information service for people who find it difficult to access or read printed material. Established in 1982 as the first Radio for the Print Handicapped (RPH) station in Australia, it now broadcasts continuously across Tasmania on multiple frequencies, including Hobart, Launceston, and Devonport, as well as online. The station offers a diverse range of programs, including live readings of local and national newspapers, magazines, book readings, interviews, and community information, ensuring that important content is accessible to all.

Mission and Vision

The mission of Print Radio Tasmania Inc is to enrich the lives of people with a print disability by providing equitable access to printed information through radio broadcasting. It embraces the social model of disability, aiming for full participation, equity, and fair treatment by addressing societal barriers rather than individual limitations. The vision is to maintain and expand a sustainable, innovative service that supports the inclusion of people with vision impairment, physical disabilities, and other challenges that limit reading printed material.

Main Objectives

• Provide continuous, high-quality radio reading services across Tasmania.
• Deliver a wide variety of printed content, including newspapers, magazines, and books, in accessible audio formats.
• Support people with print disabilities to stay informed and connected with their communities.
• Promote respect and awareness of disability through inclusive broadcasting.
• Engage and coordinate a large team of dedicated volunteers to sustain service delivery.

Benefiting Groups

Print Radio Tasmania Inc primarily benefits:

• Blind and vision impaired people who cannot read printed materials.
• Older adults who struggle with small print.
• Individuals with physical disabilities such as arthritis that make handling print difficult.
• People with low literacy skills or those who speak English as a second language.
• Listeners who prefer audio access due to lifestyle factors like driving or shift work.

Services and Activities

• Broadcasting over 90 different weekly programs including news, interviews, weather updates, and book readings.
• Live readings of local newspapers such as the Mercury, Examiner, and Advocate, plus national news from sources like Guardian Australia.
• Programs covering diverse topics from arts and sciences to health and community wellbeing.
• Partnerships with the Community Radio Network and BBC World Service to provide additional content.
• Maintaining rigorous health and safety protocols for volunteers, including studio and home-based recordings.
• Engaging a team of over 90 volunteers who contribute to program production and broadcasting.

Print Radio Tasmania Inc continues to evolve, ensuring that Tasmanians with print disabilities have ongoing access to vital information and cultural content through accessible radio services. For those wishing to support this important work, opportunities to donate are available.