RPH Australia has launched new community Radio Reading Resources for stations and volunteers outside their network to help produce new, diverse, local programming made by and for people with a print disability in their community.
The new training resources will support this work and help community media include more people with disabilities.
RPHA teamed up with Kim Stewart, founder of the Ability Radio Project and the Community Radio Inclusion Support Project (CRISP), 4ZZZ Station Advocate for disability, radio producer and trainer, to create a suite of DIY guides, and to update CMTO training materials.
The resources draw on research, input from the Radio Reading Network and the broader community radio sector, and original materials developed by the CMTO.
RPH Australia Chair, Scott Black, says “As media dedicated to community, we have real power to include people with disabilities in what we do, giving them a voice, access to information, and volunteer opportunities that can be life-changing. Our Radio Reading Resources are a first for community broadcasting, and we hope they inspire lasting change for greater inclusion in our sector.“
Some of the topics for stations include:
- Get Reading
- Access for all
- Who’s out there?
- New volunteers
- Accessibility shopping list
For prospective Radio Readers, or people with disabilities such as vision impairment, who think radio is something they want to try, but don’t know where to start, the guides include information on:
- Pitching your program
- Planning and researching a radio reading programs
- Presenting skills for Radio Readers
- Introduction to the studio
- Social media with screen readers
