For many people, radio is considered a source of entertainment. Others tune in for news and weather updates, for company while driving, or for background noise.

For some visually impaired individuals, however, the simple act of listening goes beyond the normal reasons.

“It’s like radio, but it is so much more,” explained Les Myers, director of Maine Audio Information and Reading Service, a program of the Iris Network. “These listeners need us probably more than listeners of a regular [radio] station.”

Everyday, a “tag team” of two volunteer readers sits behind microphones at the Maine AIRS studio in Brewer and reads the Bangor Daily News, The Weekly and other newspapers from across the state.

The broadcasts can be heard statewide through the SAP setting on a stereo television that is tuned to the Maine PBS station. If necessary, a special SAP receiver may be obtained through Maine AIRS. It is also possible to hear the broadcasts on the Iris Network’s Web site at www.theiris.org.

Maine AIRS has approximately 70 volunteers, with each reading team working a one-hour shift. Broadcasts may be heard 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 6:30-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 7-11 a.m. and 4-8 p.m. Sunday.

“For people who lose their sight – the bell curve is sort of ages 60s to 90s – their source of printed information dries up,” Myers said. “Many of these people have been reading all their lives, and now the news they’re used to getting is unavailable. Through Maine AIRS, they can hear what they used to read.”

While some information is available on television newscasts, many items in which people have a personal interest are not. The volunteers read news, but also obituaries, wedding and birth announcements, town council meeting articles and even store ads.

“We read the things people wouldn’t ordinarily have access to,” said Myers. “For instance, we read the calendar section of The Weekly. How else would our audience learn about where the spaghetti suppers are?”

The Iris Network, founded in 1905, provides services to blind and visually impaired people throughout Maine. A Needs Assessment Survey, conducted by the Edward S. Muskie School of Public Service, found that access to – and availability of – information are important factors in a person’s ability to live independently. This finding was instrumental in launching Maine AIRS.

Enter Les Myers.

Myers, a self-described “old radio guy,” jumped at the chance to get Maine AIRS up and running. He quickly found studio space and volunteers, and on April 17, 2000, the first show aired.

“I love radio,” he said. “I used to do the Maine Reader on Maine Public Radio. Now we do it here focusing on Maine books and authors.” In fact, Ardeana Hamlin [writer for the Bangor Daily News and The Weekly] is currently reading her book ‘Pink Chimneys.'”

Myers is not alone in his pride and enthusiasm of the program.

Claudette Pushard, 62, has been a volunteer reader since day one.

“I saw the need for volunteers in Joni Averill’s column [in the Bangor Daily News] and knew it was something I wanted to do,” she said. “I stopped reading the paper and called right away. I really enjoy it and truly believe we are providing a good service.”

Her reading partner, John Wedin, 70, agrees.

“If you don’t know what is going on, you are at a disadvantage,” he said. “I can’t imagine not being able to read.”

Myers echoes the sentiment.

“We help the blind and visually impaired to gain independence,” he said. “They don’t have to rely on others for information they need.”

For more information on Maine AIRS, specific instructions on how to access the broadcasts or opportunities to volunteer, call Les Myers at 989-0058.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For information on EAA, call 941-2865 or log on www.eaaa.org.