KU News Release

Audio-Reader adds university publications to its recorded offerings

KU student Trisha Howg records the University Daily Kansan for Audio-Reader.

LAWRENCE — Sparked by a request from a University of Kansas staff member who lost her vision, Audio-Reader will offer recordings of the University Daily Kansan and the Oread via its dial-in Telephone Reader information system.

Mary Chappell, director of Recreation Services at KU, is pleased her request produced such positive results.

“Audio-Reader brings the faces and places of our KU community to life through its reading of the University Daily Kansan and the Oread,” said Chappell. “A special connection is made with reader and listener as the printed word describes our educational experiences. The daily knowledge I receive helps me make decisions that impact thousands of lives.”

The University Daily Kansan, KU’s student newspaper, is available Monday-Friday when KU is in session. The paper’s weekly entertainment insert, Jayplay, also is recorded. Volunteers who record these publications include KU students Robbie Gordy, Trisha Howg, Joe Schremmer and Dan Pierron, who record the Kansan, and Marissa Massoni, who reads the Oread, KU’s faculty and staff newspaper. The Oread is published 18 times per year.

“This is a great example of KU students contributing to the community in a special way,” said Janet Campbell, director of Audio-Reader. “We continually strive to meet the needs of our blind and print-disabled listeners, but we couldn’t do this without the help of so many wonderful volunteers. It’s especially impressive when students find the time to volunteer.”

KU staff member Susan Tabor is another Audio-Reader listener who is grateful to have these publications available for the first time. Tabor, who is blind, received a bachelor’s degree from KU in 1973 and a master’s in 1974. She is the part-time assistant coordinator of volunteers for Audio-Reader.

“I remember wishing as a KU student that I could have had access to the UDK,” she said. “Now I can vicariously go back and relive my student days. As a KU employee, it’s really nice to have immediate access to the Oread so I can stay current with events relevant to the university.”

Audio-Reader offers more than just newspapers, and Chappell expressed appreciation for the books and other printed materials that Audio-Reader provides.

“For me, listening at the noon hour is like taking a good friend to lunch,” Chappell said. “Listening to an armchair reader tell a story on a dreary Saturday afternoon takes you to all the places you would love to go to without the hassle of finding a parking space.”

Offered as a public service by KU, Audio-Reader is a reading and information service for blind and print-disabled individuals in Kansas and western Missouri. For more information, call (800) 772-8898 or visit the Audio-Reader Web site. Audio-Reader’s services are available free of charge.

KU student volunteers are listed below by hometown, level in school, major and high school attended.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66047
Marissa Massoni, freshman in psychology, daughter of James and Kelley Massoni; Lawrence Free State High School.

Dan Pierron, senior in engineering physics, son of Joseph Pierron; Olathe South High School.

LINCOLN COUNTY
From Sylvan Grove 67481
Trisha Howg, junior in pre-business, daughter of James and Nancy Howg; Sylvan Unified High School.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Derby 67037
Joe Schremmer, junior in journalism and mass communications (strategic communications emphasis), son of Richard and Janice Schremmer; Derby High School.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66610
Robbie Gordy, junior in French and history, son of Brent Gordy and Jan Kennedy; Millard South High School, Omaha, Neb.

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