Radio Talking Book Service

Radio Talking Book Service (RTBS) is Nebraska's only audio and information service designed to ensure that the inability to read print will no longer be considered a disabling condition. Learning and vision disabilities impact all areas of an individual's life. For the Blind, the printed word is not accessible to them unless it is read to them. A learning disabled student cannot become gainfully employed if they cannot read the printed textbook or materials provided by the instructor to earn a diploma or college degree. For the silver tsunami of baby boomers, the transition from being sighted to becoming sightless due to age and disease is difficult. Many often become alone and isolated and disengage from society. The simple act of reading a newspaper, a letter, a book, a box in the local store that many of us take for granted is lost for this population. Dr. Craig Fullerton, a founder of RTBS understood this. While working as the assistant superintendent of Omaha Public Schools, Mr. Fullerton and others discovered a radio reading service for the blind in Minnesota. Feeling this type of service could greatly benefit Nebraskans and southwestern Iowans, RTBS was founded and became one of six such services at that time in the nation! Today, RTBS remains as Nebraska's only nonprofit broadcasting organization to provide these services via a network of closed circuit radios loaned to those with a visual acuity equal to 20/200 or less at no cost. Digital recordings of educational materials through listening link have helped 48 students from Wayne State College and Creighton University expedite the learning process to achieve educational success. Join us as a volunteer and find out why RTBS is more than just a radio station; RTBS is Nebraska's Audio Companion!