
Celebrating 50 Years | WKAR Radio Reading Service
Special | 2mVideo has Closed Captions
Providing news and information to those with trouble seeing or reading the printed word
WKAR celebrates 50 years providing news, information and entertainment to those with trouble seeing or reading the printed word. WKAR's Brad Walker, longtime listener Roberta and volunteer reader Janet share their thoughts on the WKAR Radio Reading Service and its impact in the mid-Michigan community.
WKAR Specials is a local public television program presented by WKAR

Celebrating 50 Years | WKAR Radio Reading Service
Special | 2mVideo has Closed Captions
WKAR celebrates 50 years providing news, information and entertainment to those with trouble seeing or reading the printed word. WKAR's Brad Walker, longtime listener Roberta and volunteer reader Janet share their thoughts on the WKAR Radio Reading Service and its impact in the mid-Michigan community.
How to Watch WKAR Specials
WKAR Specials is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
It's like hearing a friendly voice every morning.
The WKARR Radio Reading Service started October 1st, 1973.
For people who are blind or visually impaired.
To me, it's like magic.
It's a special radio that persons receive.
I just turn on the button and there it goes.
Or they can actually listen to our service online at wkar.org.
That's on 24/7.
And it's always there.
This is a way for people to be connected to the outside world with news and information and entertainment.
It provides information that has a focus on issues that are important to people who are blind or visually impaired.
We read the Lansing State Journal and the Detroit News and Free Press on a daily basis.
It's like having somebody sitting at your kitchen table reading you the paper.
We also read grocery ads.
Where else are you going to hear the grocery ad?
And I kind of read it on mainstream TV or radio.
Forget it.
WKAR Radio Reading Service is here because we have wonderful volunteers.
It feels great to support the community in this way.
I love serving people who clearly want fact based responsible news.
It takes so little effort to do this thing that helps improve people's lives.
It's a joy.
Right now, we have about 500 listeners in the mid-Michigan area.
I want to grow that because I know there's more people out there that would really benefit from our service.
And I know that can change their life.
You have impacted my life so greatly.
I'm actually proud to say I'm a sustaining member of WKAR to keep it as part of the community.
I just, I'm so happy it's there and hope it stays.
WKAR Specials is a local public television program presented by WKAR