The award-winning Talking Information Center (TIC), a non-profit reading service located in Marshfield, MA which broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to thousands of print and visually impaired listeners, has recently established a Speaker’s Bureau.
James Bunnell, TIC’s newly appointed Executive Director along with several volunteer ambassadors are available to speak about a wide range of topics to various audiences – from business and fraternal organizations to civic groups. Potential topics include:
The talk of the towns– Less than five percent of people who are blind can read Braille. Thus, TIC, serving the entire Bay State and its border states, is crucial to its audience. The numerous reasons why vision and print impaired people need a special radio station and the type of timely content that TIC delivers that is not otherwise available to the sight impaired are discussed.
Shifting demographics – In addition to programs for the print and visually impaired, TIC sees an enormous need to expand programming and distribution to the fast growing senior and veteran populations. Baby boomers are graying and in need of new services. According to Bunnell, “Approximately 10,000 people turn 65 every day in the U.S. and in Massachusetts, 34 percent of people with disabilities are 65 and older.” Military veterans are seeking more programs that have a “veteran’s voice”. TIC is developing new programming to engage, entertain and enlighten their growing audience of boomers and veterans.
Listeners celebrate over 35 years – TIC recently celebrated its 35th anniversary. More than 20,000 listeners statewide and beyond appreciate the TIC link to the world. And there is a broader audience waiting to be reached. It is estimated that 150,000 in Massachusetts are unable to read the printed word. The vision impaired face challenges of literary, maintaining independence, unemployment (70 percent) and paralyzing isolation. Two out of three aging Americans confront vision loss. Others who experience vision problems are living with AIDS, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, paralysis and other physical ailments that make it difficult to hold a publication or turn its pages. TIC continues to reach out to engage more of those who can benefit from the service.
Volunteers get the word out– With a rigorous 24/7 schedule, a modest budget and only five full time staff, TIC has hundreds of volunteers who tirelessly assist with programming as readers and engineers. Thoroughly trained to provide the best possible production, volunteers range in age and profession, and serve from studios and affiliate stations. Each region has a variety of compelling stories about volunteers and what inspires them to shed light for others.
“Our mission is to broadcast information to inspire, motivate and empower the print impaired community. With the growing number of seniors and veterans seeking informational, entertaining broadcasts that just aren’t available elsewhere, we’re developing programming specific to these new audiences,” noted Bunnell.
Volunteer Ambassadors Needed
TIC is currently seeking additional volunteers to serve on their speaker’s bureau. Volunteer ambassadors would be responsible for attending senior fairs, fraternal organization meetings and actively seeking additional opportunities to speak on TIC’s behalf.
To arrange a speaking engagement or to learn more about becoming a TIC volunteer ambassador, contact James Bunnell at 800-696-9505.
About TIC
The Talking Information Center (TIC), a non-profit reading service located in Marshfield, MA, broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to visually-impaired and print-handicapped listeners including those suffering from AIDS, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, stroke, paralysis or other physical illness that makes holding a publication or turning pages impossible. TIC programming may be accessed by specially tuned radio receivers or via live audio stream on the TIC website, www.ticnetwork.org.
In 1977, Ed Perry, the founder of radio station WATD-FM in Marshfield, MA, donated his Subsidiary Carrier Authorization signal for use as the first radio reading service in New England. Now reaching 25,000 listeners, TIC broadcasts newspapers, magazines, books, and special consumer information on subjects including medical and stock market updates, jobs, sports, supermarket specials, voting guides, community newspapers, and television programs. TIC also broadcasts cultural programming including old-time radio drama, theater, and poetry.
TIC is a proud member of the International Association of Audible Information Services (IAAIS), and is also the hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network, broadcasting to all of Massachusetts as well as southern New Hampshire and Connecticut. Operating similarly to other broadcast networks, TIC has affiliates throughout the state of Massachusetts that provide inserts of local news and information that is of interest to listeners in their area.
TIC is located at 130 Enterprise Drive, (P.O. Box 519), in Marshfield, MA 02050. For more information visit www.ticnetwork.org or call 800-696-9505.
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