KU Audio-Reader

A specialized radio reading service for blind and print-disabled individuals, founded in 1971 and the second oldest such service in the United States. The service was pioneered by Anne Petey Cerf and operates through the University of Kansas in partnership with Kansas Public Radio. It broadcasts books, newspapers, magazines, and other printed materials via closed-circuit radio to certified users across Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, supported by a staff of thirteen supervising approximately three hundred volunteers. Beyond radio broadcasting, the service provides telephone information access, audio description of theater performances, cassette transcription services, and maintains a sensory garden. Funding derives from public and private sources, with annual fundraisers supporting the mission.