1.
Can I receive
the tape if I am not registered blind?
Most definitely, yes. If you are unable to read standard (N12) newspaper print, then we are happy for you to receive our publications. No means tests are necessary.
2.
Can I receive
the Talking Newspaper if I live outside Birmingham?
Yes, you can. Please note we cover Sutton Coldfield too. You may also wish to bear in mind that there are a number of local Talking Newspapers situated around Birmingham which may be more appropriate to your needs.
3.
What happens
if I do not return my tape one week through illness or holidays?
Each new listener is allocated two pouches to send out your tape so we can cover a week without return. If you are unable to receive the tape for two or more weeks, please advise by putting a simple note in your pouch if possible.
4.
How much does
your service cost?
This is a FREE public service and we are delighted to provide it free of charge. The cost of postage is fully paid by the government who subsidise Royal Mail for this purpose.
5.
Can I make a
donation to the Talking Newspaper?
We are a registered charity so all donations are welcome. If you feel you wish to help please send your donation to our Treasurer whose details are given on the ‘Get in Touch’ page.
6.
Can I receive
the Talking Newspaper if I have a non visual disability?
Yes, you are able to receive the Talking Newspaper, but we would need to ask you to pay the postage as the free postage available under the Royal Mail’s ‘Articles for the Blind’ concession would not apply.
7.
Why do you
still produce audio tapes? Aren’t they a bit old fashioned these days?
We still produce audio tapes as a majority of our listeners prefer this format. However, we are mindful of the fact that audio tapes do have a limited shelf life and we are presently trialling other media for the future. We feel CDs are expensive in the long run as they need to be discarded after each use and the recording time is reduced from 90 to 80 minutes. USB memory sticks offer a reusable medium which is now relatively cheap and does not require listeners to have a computer. We are also trialling producing our output digitally on computer so that listeners get the best sound output we can give.
8.
What does
your output consist of?
On side A of the weekly tape we produce 45 minutes of local news relevant to the geographical location in Birmingham where the listener resides. (North, Central, South). On side B is a weekly sound magazine consisting of generally longer articles relating to the visually impaired and local community. On the magazine you will interviews, quizzes, recipes and a regular notice board of visually impaired news and events. This tape is produced 51 weeks in a year. We also produce a monthly tape of readings from our friends at the Mount Players of Bromsgrove, a local drama group.
9.
Do you
produce any special magazines?
We record a double sided Christmas magazine each year. We also produce special magazines on topics ranging from Easter to visually impaired holidays and sport to gardening all with a visually impaired slant.
10. Do
you have any visually impaired listener representatives with whom I could chat
and give feedback?
We have three representatives; one for each area of Birmingham (North, Central, South). Their details are given on the news side of the weekly editions.
11. Can I
obtain a first tape to try out before receiving your tapes on a regular basis?
Certainly, and do let us know what you think!
12. Who do
I contact to discuss about the Talking Newspaper?
Each area has a co-ordinator (North, Central, South). Their contact details are given on the news side of the weekly tape. Otherwise please go to the ‘Get in Touch’ page for contact details for our Administrator.
13. How do
I introduce a relative/neighbour/friend or even myself to the Talking Newspaper?
Simply phone or email our New Listener contacts, details of which you will find on the ‘Get in Touch’ page.
14. How
does your service operate?
We will send your tape in a pouch. Simply reverse the address label on the pouch after listening to the tape and post back to us ready for the next edition. If you could wind the tape back to the start, that would be very helpful.
15. Do you
produce material in other languages?
We regret this material is only produced in English. However, may we suggest you try the Talking News Federation and National Talking Newspapers and Magazines, by moving to our ‘Links’ page?
16. What
other services are available for the blind and visually impaired?
We have tried to schedule just a few of these organisations which provide a whole hosts of services in our ‘Links’ page. Please follow the links to their websites.