Happy Anniversary Virginia Voice: Celebrating 45 years of service to the visually impaired community
Happy Anniversary Virginia Voice: Celebrating 45 years of service to the visually impaired community
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Virginia Voice brought a new world to me, a world of over one hundred volunteers taking the time each day, twenty-four hours a day, to use their human voices to read a variety of publications on their radio broadcast.
Imagine if you were unable to read a book, or the menu at your favorite restaurant, or your daily local newspaper. How would this inability to clearly see the printed words on many everyday items impact your life?
When I became blind due to complications from Diabetes Type 2, I personally experienced the devastating loss of reading the printed word. As we age, thousands of people experience age-related eye diseases which can slowly and severely limit or completely rob them of their sight.
For more information, WebMD has information on Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), symptoms, causes, and treatment.
The day I learned about Virginia Voice and its radio reading services changed my life. Virginia Voice brought a new world to me, a world of over one hundred volunteers taking the time each day, twenty-four hours a day, to use their human voices to read a variety of publications on their radio broadcast. I no longer felt disconnected from the printed word. At any hour of the day, I can access information on so many topics of special interest such as; culture, entertainment, science, economics, and local and national news. Now, each day, my world is brighter. Virginia Voice brings the world to me.
Now, each day, my world is brighter. Virginia Voice brings the world to me.
Virginia Voice is celebrating forty-five years of providing services to visually impaired persons through their radio broadcast reading service. Thousands of consumers across Virginia, like myself, listen daily and stay informed and in touch with the world. Virginia Voice has gone even further to provide live audio descriptions at venues such as the Virginia Repertory Theater, the Science Museum, and Agecroft Hall. My family and friends have enjoyed several of the theater performances and even enjoyed the live audio description at a baseball game.
For over five years, I have been a consumer of Virginia Voice’s services and have the honor of serving as a volunteer advisor to the board. In this capacity, I offer my opinion and feedback on programs, events, surveys, and more. I was surprised and truly honored to be recognized at the forty-fifth-anniversary fundraiser event where I was presented with a plaque and small gift. I did not have time at the event to express my thanks to Virginia Voice.
Check out my video, Thanking Virginia Voice
Here are over forty-five reasons why I am appreciative of Virginia Voice. Each reason is one of the programs that I have listened to over the years by the amazing team of volunteers and staff who are dedicated and committed to meeting this important need for visually impaired persons.
https://www.virginiavoice.org/programs-alphabetically
I look forward to personally enjoying and witnessing the amazing work of the committed staff and volunteers of Virginia Voice. I look forward to another 45 years.
Yvonne Mastromano
You are invited to join the American Council of the Blind of Virginia (ACBVA) for their 41st Annual Meeting on November 4, 2023, starting at 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (EST).
Chief Executive Officer of Virginia Voice, Yvonne Mastromano will participate in a panel discussion on Radio Reading Services: Innovations, Activities, and Resources at 2 p.m. EST.
Join the American Council of the Blind of Virginia’s Email List
As a member of ACBVA, I encourage you to join our email list to be a part of a vibrant community of visually impaired persons, attend informative monthly online meetings, and learn more about important accessible resources.
For those interested in the benefits of the American Council of the Blind of Virginia (ACBVA) organization, you can also become a member, click the link below!
