TEMPE (May 30, 2012) – This summer, people who live with little or no vision and rely on Sun Sounds of Arizona for audio access to newspapers and magazines will be the first to enjoy the latest in digital, accessible, radio technology and hear their reading service in crisp HD sound.

Through a grant from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, Sun Sounds will upgrade 200 listeners in the Phoenix metro area from old, analog receivers to The Narrator, a talking AM/FM/HD radio created by Insignia. With voice prompts, ergonomic design and large buttons, anyone can tune the radio, and set the clock and station presets regardless of visual impairment. An audio CD of instructions, which was produced and recorded at Sun Sounds, is included with the radio. Listeners in the Phoenix area can hear Sun Sounds of Arizona on KBAQ 89.5-HD3.

ACCESSIBLE AND UNIVERSAL DESIGN
Most modern consumer electronics require the user to read a display in order to operate the device. In designing The Narrator HD Radio, Insignia collaborated with the International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS.org) and Sun Sounds of Arizona staff members, who offered insights as to which features would make the radio valuable to people living with vision loss. The concept of ‘universal design’ references the idea that a product is accessible to people both with and without disabilities. Right out of the box, The Narrator talks upon button press. If voice prompts are not required, this feature can be disabled and users can tune the radio by visual display. Approximately 200,000 Arizonans live with low vision or a visual disability that makes reading printed material difficult. Sun Sounds Director Bill Pasco, who has been blind since early adulthood, appreciates Insignia’s demonstrated commitment to accessible technology.

“Loss of vision sometimes forces reliance on family and friends, not only to read printed material, but to operate household devices like radios. The Narrator is one product that helps people with visual disabilities live more independently,” said Pasco. Sun Sounds will continue to offer its reading service on a privately received channel at no cost to eligible persons. Listeners who would like to upgrade their radio to The Narrator are asked to call Sun Sounds at 480-774-8300.

For additional information about The Narrator Talking HD radio, or this release, contact:

Heidi Capriotti
Marketing Coordinator
Sun Sounds of Arizona
480-774-8300
hcapriotti@sunsounds.org
http://sunsounds.org

About Sun Sounds of Arizona
Sun Sounds of Arizona, established in 1979, is a radio reading and information access service for people who cannot read print due to a disability. A public service of Rio Salado College, Sun Sounds and 500 volunteers across the state provide information access free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using radio, cable systems, telephone and the internet. For more information, visit www.sunsounds.org or call 480-774-8300.