Audio-Reader programs recognized by International Association of Audio Information Services

LAWRENCE — Audio-Reader Network, an audio information service for blind, visually impaired and print-disabled individuals based at the University of Kansas, has been recognized for excellence in its programming by the International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS) at its annual conference, hosted virtually June 12-14.

An audio production of the city of Lawrence’s Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Exhibition brochure won a Program of the Year Award in the Consumer Information category, and two other Audio-Reader programs received honorable mentions.

In the Consumer Information category, volunteer Tracy Harrison voiced the now award-winning audio tour of the sculpture exhibit. Harrison has been an Audio-Reader volunteer since 2015 and regularly reads the Reader’s Digest and Saturday Post program. The annual Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Exhibition was founded by Jim Patti in 1987 and is sponsored by the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission.

Steve Grimm also started volunteering for Audio-Reader in 2015 and voiced a production promoting Audio-Reader’s audio description events that was recognized in the Now Hear This category.

Originally an Audio-Reader volunteer since 2018, Martha Kehr became outreach coordinator in 2023 and hosts the “Good Works in the Heartland” podcast for Audio-Reader. The podcast’s November 2023 Medicare Open Enrollment episode with Lori Phillips from the Senior Resource Center for Douglas County was awarded an honorable mention in the Interview category.

All programs were engineered and produced by Nick Carswell, Audio-Reader program manager.

The IAAIS program awards were created to promote quality programming among audio information services and to showcase the variety of programs available on audio information services. Entries are judged by staff and volunteers of member stations. Points are awarded for production values as well as pace, timing and vocal quality. An honorable mention is a point or less between first and second place.

Outgoing IAAIS President Maryfrances Evans said, "We are so fortunate to be surrounded by such talented volunteers and dedicated staff to bring the printed word to life to thousands of print-disabled people throughout America. These awards highlight some of the extraordinary programs reading services around the country are producing."

Most states offer a radio reading service similar to Audio-Reader. A full list of the over 70 available services is on their website.