Audio Reading Service volunteers provide audio access to printed news and information for listeners of all ages who have visual, physical, learning, or language disabilities or conditions that prevent them from reading printed materials. Volunteer readers record written materials that are then broadcast over radio, TV, and available online, making printed content accessible in an audio format for everyone. The friendly voices of our volunteers also keep listeners connected to their community.

 

Volunteers read the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette live Monday-Saturday, other area newspapers Monday-Friday, and record over 130 total publications every week including Prevention, Consumer Reports, The New Yorker, Reader's Digest, Science News, and more. Volunteers also describe important images, including magazine covers, photos, illustrations, infographics, and more. 

 

If you love to read and have a good, clear voice, share your skills by becoming a volunteer reader! 

 

If you are an adept writer and have an eye for photography or visual illustration, share your skills by writing Audio Descriptions (AD)! 

Please specify Audio Reading Service or an opportunity listed below on your application.

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Available Opportunities:

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• Current, up-to-date local news is our focus, and most important to our listeners! Read the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette live, with a volunteer partner. Current openings:

  • Every Friday morning, time commitment: 8 AM – 11 AM
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• Read El Mexicano y Más. El Mexicano covers local, national and world news and information for our Spanish speaking community. Volunteer for this program must be fluent in reading and speaking both Spanish and English. Materials are read from both hard copy and digital touchscreen tablet. This is a weekly or every/other week commitment for a 90-minute reading timeslot. We can work with your schedule, Monday-Friday between 8 AM – 3 PM.  
   

• Lea El Mexicano y Más. El Mexicano cubre noticias e información local, nacional e internacional para nuestra comunidad de habla hispana. Los voluntarios para este programa deben tener fluidez en la lectura y el habla tanto en español como en inglés. Los materiales se leen tanto en formato impreso como en una tableta digital con pantalla táctil. Este compromiso es semanal o quincenal, con una sesión de lectura de 90 minutos. Nos adaptamos a su horario, de lunes a viernes entre las 8:00 y las 15:00.
   

• Read and record programs when a regular reader is absent by becoming a Substitute Recorded Reader. Subs receive a weekly email notification of upcoming opportunities to cover a program, and may select opportunities that fit your schedule and interests. Materials are read from hard copy and digital touchscreen tablet. Programs are either 30 minutes or one hour of recording, within a 90-minute recording session timeslot. We can work with your schedule, Monday-Friday between 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. Training will be provided. 
   

• Become a Substitute Live Reader, reading the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette live on the air with an experienced partner. Subs receive a weekly email notification of upcoming opportunities to cover for a regular live reader’s absence. Each live broadcast opportunity is a 3-hour session that occurs on a weekday from 8:00 am - 11:00 am, or on a Saturday from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. You may select an opportunity that fits your schedule. Training includes observing and participating in live broadcasts for 2-3 mornings in a row prior to your first scheduled sub reading. 
   

• Read and record Spanish-language programs when a regular reader is absent by becoming a Spanish-language Substitute Recorded Reader. Volunteers for these programs must be fluent in reading and speaking both Spanish and English. Subs receive a weekly email notification of upcoming opportunities to cover a program, and may select opportunities that fit your schedule and interests. Materials are read from hard copy and digital touchscreen tablet. Programs are usually 30 minutes or one hour of recording, within a 90-minute recording session timeslot. We can work with your schedule, Monday-Friday between 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. Training on equipment and reading materials will be provided. 
  
  Lea y grabe programas en español cuando el lector habitual no esté disponible al convertirse en Lector(a) Suplente de Grabación. Las personas voluntarias deben tener fluidez tanto en español como en inglés, tanto en lectura como en conversación. Los suplentes reciben un correo electrónico semanal con oportunidades para cubrir programas y pueden elegir las que mejor se ajusten a su horario e intereses. Los materiales se leen en formato impreso o desde una tableta digital con pantalla táctil. Por lo general, los programas duran 30 minutos o una hora, dentro de una sesión de grabación de 90 minutos. Podemos adaptarnos a su disponibilidad de lunes a viernes, entre las 8:00 a. m. y las 3:00 p. m. Se proporcionará capacitación sobre el uso del equipo y los materiales de lectura.
   

• Write descriptions of pictures and more as a volunteer Audio Description (AD) Writer. Audio Description (AD) is the practice of describing visual content for people with visual impairment or other disabilities, and is included as an important – and growing! – part of many of our programs. You will write vivid, accurate descriptions of cover art, photographs, illustrations, and infographics in magazines and other materials for our volunteer readers to record. These descriptions provide valuable access to visual information that helps listeners fully understand and experience the publications they love. 
  
  You will receive training to learn AD industry best practices for writing descriptions of visual images. You will work from digital and physical copies of publications, and conduct light research as needed for best accuracy. Written descriptions will be submitted for review and revisions, and ongoing training and quality review sessions will be provided. Once fully trained, descriptions may be written and submitted remotely, with occasional onsite training and review. 
  
  The ideal volunteer Audio Description (AD) Writer will have:
  •  A strong command of written English — clear, precise, and evocative
  •  A close observer's eye for mood, composition, color, expression, and context
  •  Some familiarity with photography, visual art, or illustration 
  
  This is a weekly commitment. We can work with your schedule, Mondays or Tuesdays preferred, between 8:00 am - 3:00 pm.

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If your skills and passions match our needs, we'd love to have you join our team of Audio Reading Service volunteers, weekdays between 8am-3pm. An interview is required, and volunteer readers must also pass an audition. Please contact the Audio Reading Service at (260) 421-1376, or audioreader@acpl.info with any questions.