KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis (SPECTRUM NEWS)- For many, being able to open the morning newspaper or begin a new book is a simple activity that may be taken for granted. However, for the blind and visually impaired, these seemingly simple activities can be impossible. It is the reason a service through Gateway Technical College and public radio station WGTD 91.1 has been helping people in Kenosha and Racine for decades.

The Gateway Radio Reading Service is a volunteer run program which reads the Kenosha News, Racine Journal Times and other publications to the blind and visually impaired in the community. During certain times of the day, volunteers also read novels and other publications. The program goes out over the air, however, listeners need a special receiver in order to hear the programming. Those who are visually impaired are able to get a receiver for free by contacting the radio reading service.

For volunteers like Barbara Tylla, who has been reading since 2002, being a part of the program is a labor of love.

“It’s fun, I’m the actress, director, producer, run the music, I am a one woman show.” Jokes Tylla

For her, having a chance to read to the blind and visually impaired hits close to home.

“I used to read for my mother, towards her later years she lost her eyesight, so I would read to her. She seemed to enjoy it, and I enjoyed reading to her and so I thought why not do it for some other people?” Tylla says

If you are interested in learning more about the Gateway Radio Reading Service, including how you can apply for a radio receiver or how to volunteer you can visit this website or call (262) 564-3744