​Policy Statement

It is the position of IAAIS that everyone with a visual, physical or learning disability has a right to equal access to all forms of information available to the general public. IAAIS works actively to promote and protect this access.

 

Mission Statement

The International Association of Audio Information Services connects and supports organizations for people with disabilities worldwide.

 

About IAAIS

IAAIS is a volunteer-driven membership organization of services that turn text into speech for people who cannot see, hold or comprehend the printed word and who may be unable to access information due to a disability or health condition.

 

Since its formation in 1977, IAAIS (formerly the Association of Radio Reading Services) has assisted, represented and set standards of good practice for audio information services worldwide. The organizational name was updated in 1999 to reflect the advent of new technologies for producing and delivering audio and an increased need for reading services throughout the world. IAAIS currently represents 80-some services and developing services.

 

Audio Information Services can be found throughout the United States and in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Africa. Many IAAIS members in the United States are associated with public radio stations, colleges, universities or libraries. For a complete listing, visit our online directory.

 

​Listener Profile/Eligibility

Millions of people worldwide are qualified to receive IAAIS members’ services. Anyone who experiences difficulty in accessing printed material is eligible to become listener.  This includes not only vision issues but physical mobility challenges, brain injury, and learning disabilities.  Dozens of other health and cognitive conditions affect one’s ability to read.  

 

Over one million Americans aged 40 and over are currently blind and an additional 2.4 million are visually impaired. These numbers are expected to double over the next 30 years as the Baby Boomer generation ages. Studies show that 1 in 4 persons over the age of 75 and 1 in 6 over 45 have trouble reading because of diminished vision.

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According to a study by the Campaign to End Loneliness, loneliness is both a cause and contributor to depression, and when loneliness and depression co-exist, there is increased risk of early mortality. It is estimated that depression affects 22% of men and 28% of women aged 65 or over.  Activities can provide distraction from negative thoughts. These vary enormously from simple pastimes like reading, listening to the radio, or doing puzzles to more creative interests like gardening, arts and crafts and singing.  

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Many audio information services provide service to qualified institutions as well as to individuals, such as hospitals, assisted living facilities, low vision clinics, senior centers and other institutional care facilities where qualified listeners may reside or frequent. Each independent service has an application procedure. To locate a service in your area visit this site’s Service Locator page.

 

Programming/Types of Information

Most services use volunteer readers to provide immediate, verbatim audio access to newspapers, magazines, consumer information and other materials including today’s news, features, sports, business, opinions, advertisements and other material from newspapers and magazines. Topic-based and public affairs programs are also available on many services as are some books or story-based shows.

 

Members services may also offer a variety of related programs, such as personal reader programs; audio description services of live theater, museum exhibits, nature trails, parades, and other visual venues; audio transcription; taping services; or other audio-based community services.

 

Volunteers

Volunteers provide thousands of hours to produce live and recorded programs for radio reading services each day. With the assistance of these dedicated individuals, audio information services are able to provide their listeners a wide variety of timely and informative programming. Volunteer readers also offer listeners—many of whom are isolated, frail, or elderly—with a unique companionship and community connection.

 

Funding

Every IAAIS member service has its own fund-raising methods. Some receive support from local or state government or are operationally part of such an agency. Others receive private contributions from foundations, service organizations, businesses or corporations and some operate with a mix of public and private funds. Many rely on the generosity of listeners, volunteers and other individuals for voluntary donations.