CAMBRIDGE — The Cambridge Lions recently presented a check to WHCP-LP, the Cambridge Community Radio station to be used to purchase 20 special radio receivers for blind or print-disabled persons to enable them to tune in to the Radio Reading Service sub-carrier operated by the local station.

The receivers are being made available without charge to eligible print disabled users whose visual acuity falls below the 20/200 level.

Radio reading services operate under a copyright exemption by limiting the readings to those who are blind or print disabled.

The first Radio Reading Service in the U.S. was “The Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network,” which began in 1969.

Here is how the program works. A narrator reads and records books, newspapers and magazines for the benefit of blind and print-disabled persons. WHCP is broadcasting these readings using a special subcarrier. Special subcarrier receivers are necessary to receive these broadcasts and are being offered to blind and print-disabled persons who would like to have the spoken word come into their homes.

WHCP is providing the MidShore Radio Reading Service in partnership with the “Washington Ear,” a long-running service in the District of Columbia featuring national news, readings of best selling books, and magazines.

The local station is assembling a group of volunteer readers to record and broadcast articles from local newspapers, short stories, magazine articles, and local book authors, among other items of local interest.

WHCP is proud to launch this very first Radio Reading Service on the Eastern Shore. If you or someone you know is blind or print-disabled, or if you would like to volunteer as a reader please contact the station at 443-637-6000.

The Cambridge Lions Club is pleased to contribute to this valuable local service for the visually impaired.