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Support NYC's only Radio Service for the Blind

Connect blind NYers to the world with radios that receive Gatewave, NYC's only radio reading service

Support NYC's only Radio Service for the Blind

Connect blind NYers to the world with radios that receive Gatewave, NYC's only radio reading service

1 Campaign |

New York, United States

$5,095 USD by 60 backers

$5,050 USD by 58 backers on Jun 16, 2015

Story

FAQ

Updates 1

Comments 14

Background of Gatewave

In the 1970s, a Wall Street banker lost his vision but not his thirst to connect to the world around him. At first, he arranged for people to read newspapers and magazines to him, one-to-one. Then he had a better idea. He launched New York’s first radio reading service, enabling one reader to reach thousands of listeners at a time, opening up connections and increasing their sense of independence.

Today, New York City’s only radio reading service is Gatewave, a non-profit charity established in 2009. Its 24/7 programming serves listeners who are blind, visually impaired, or are otherwise limited in their ability to read print. Eligible listeners in the New York City region can hear the service on a special radio, available only from Gatewave.

For more on Gatewave, read the story on our home page, gatewave.org, or you can go to

http://gatewave.org/sites/default/files/pdf/Gatewave-reinvented.pdf

Why is the service necessary?

Gatewave is a valuable option for many people. According to National Federation of the Blind, as of 2012, there were over six and a half million people with visual disabilities in the U.S. In New York City alone, there are over 160 thousand individuals who are blind.

Why Radios?

Gatewave is now available to registered users by webstream and telephone dial-in (via NFB Newsline), and to mobile app users (iBlink Radio). But in a population that is older and less affluent than the overall public, the advantage of a radio is simply the ease of use. It’s there whenever the user wants it, at the flip of a switch.

What’s the Programming?

Gatewave seeks to bring information, inspiration, and greater independence to its listeners. We broadcast hour-long verbatim readings from a wide range of publications, ranging from The New York Times and Wall Street Journal to Entertainment Weekly, Oprah, and People. We air community announcements about local events and services that can enhance our listeners’ lives.

Our flagship program, “Our World,” reports every week on issues affecting the blind and disabled and senior citizens, ranging from accessible technology to finance to health to legal issues to inspiring personalities. It includes original content created for Gatewave, as well as information from print and online sources. We’re finding new ways to bring our listeners content that would be difficult or impossible for them to get elsewhere – including our newest feature, descriptions of cartoons from The New Yorker.

Feeling of the listeners and volunteers

Some of our listeners and our volunteer readers share their thoughts about Gatewave.

Listener: “You’re a lifeline to us!”

Listener: “Gatewave makes it comfortable for me to keep up with current news, and the announcements are clear and informative. It is a wonderful way to start my day.”

Listener: "I find it an invaluable service for keeping me informed."

Reader: "I love the experience of touching a listener."

Reader: "It’s an honor to be involved with such a group of dedicated professionals in order to fulfill a critical need for the blind and disabled"

Reader: "Reading for “Gatewave” is one of the most gratifying experiences that I have each week. I only hope that our listeners are enjoying the “Travel Shows” as much as I do."

What do we need the money for?

Our campaign has surpassed its goal of $5000 targeted to funding special Gatewave radios for listeners for Medicaid recipients who can't afford them. Additional funds will support Gatewave’s operating expenses, including the radio transmission, servers, insurance, and magazine subscriptions. Please help support Gatewave's operation through this indiegogo site, through the donation links on our website, gatewave.org, or by sending a check to Gatewave, 244 Fifth Ave., Suite G201, NY, NY 10001.