Talking newspaper for the blind given funding to expand
A talking newspaper that has been keeping visually impaired residents up-to-date with all the latest news from the Express & Star has been given funding to expand.
The Sandwell Talking Newspaper has been running for 30 years and has been handed a £10,000 government grant to provide equipment to people who had not previously been able to listen to the news read out by the audio newspaper's team of volunteers.
Tony Averis, co-chairman of the talking newspaper, said the projecth had received funding from the government as part of a wider programme for deprived areas around the UK and the cash would help to pay for new 'boomboxes' and USB sticks for service users in the Smethwick, Soho and Victoria wards.
He added potentially up to 20 listeners could benefit in these areas from the boombox, which plays the audio and the USB, which carries the media, while listeners are also provided with a wallet to carry the USB.
The launch of the service for Smethwick, Soho and Victoria at Smethwick library on January 12 between 1pm and 3pm will be followed by further launches at Princes End in Glebefields Library, Tipton on January 20 between 11am and 1pm and at Great Bridge at Great Bridge Library on January 13 between 2pm and 3.30pm.
Mr Averis said: "This will allow people to access not just the Express & Star articles, but also information about social activities, the latest technology and information on services that affect you."
