Owl Radio - Reading service for the blind

Owl Radio is a free community service of the San Antonio Low Vision Club and is co-sponsored by Texas Public Radio and the San Antonio Express-News.  The service provides daily radio broadcasts of newspapers, magazines and other information for persons who are unable to read regular print due to a visual, physical or reading impairment. 

The service has been on the air continuously in San Antonio since March 6, 2002.  Service to the Hill Country began on January 10, 2005.  Owl Radio transmits its programming to special radio receivers provided to qualified applicants over subcarriers provided by Texas Public Radio.  The signals can be picked up within the greater San Antonio Metropolitan area and adjacent counties and in the Kerrville and Fredericksburg areas of the Hill Country.

The service is staffed primarily by volunteers who read the San Antonio Express-News for three hours daily from studios located near Nacogdoches and Loop 410 in San Antonio.  The remainder of programming for the 24-hour service is provided by syndicated reading services for the blind.  Owl Radio is not funded by a state agency and depends on monetary contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations, special events, government grants and other organizations.

Owl Radio Benefits to the Community:

• Enhancing the quality of life for those who cannot read, reducing their feeling of isolation by providing a wide range of around-the-clock programming.
• Developing a more aware citizenry by providing current information about community events and issues, thus helping increase the community involvement of people who are blind or visually impaired.
• Involving the community through the use of volunteer organizers, readers, technical assistants and fundraisers, and through collaboration with other community organizations.

For more information or to apply for a radio, call (210) 829-4223 or visit www.owlradio.org