Talking newspaper to go digital (From Borehamwood Times)

Talking newspaper to go digital

8:20am Tuesday 14th October 2008 in News By Suruchi Sharma

Volunteers are hoping to raise £3,000 to digitally record news articles for visually impaired residents.

The Radlett, Elstree, Borehamwood and Shenley (REBS) Talking Newspaper group wants to update existing technology by replacing weekly audio cassette tapes with USB memory sticks.

Listeners could soon be hearing the Borehamwood & Elstree Times newspaper in a high quality digital sound but the group first has to raise the necessary funds through donations to buy the recording equipment.

People do not need a computer to play the memory stick but will instead be given a player similar to a docking station for an iPod.

A demonstration of the new equipment was given to volunteers at the society’s annual general meeting held in Radlett last Tuesday.

David Clout, chairman of REBS Talking Newspaper, said: “Our technician took one of the new machines along to the Blind Club in Borehamwood and the members found little problem operating the machine. The sound quality is on a par with digital radio, which is a vast improvement on cassettes.

“We have little income and yet the rental for our little studio alone is £1,000 per year. We are sold on the idea but we need to have £3,000 in the kitty to buy the new recording and copying equipment, 50 players and 100 memory sticks.”

To make a donation or to receive a news tape contact David Clout on 01923 854403 or email on dclout@herts.atl.org.uk