The Kansas Audio-Reader Network at the University of Kansas has earned six international awards. The statewide radio reading service for the blind and vision-impaired was honored this month by the International Association of Audio Information Services. KPR's J. Schafer has more.
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Audio-Reader's staff and volunteer readers won awards in several categories but the highest honor presented by the international organization -- its "Lifetime Achievement" award -- went to longtime employee Lori Kesinger, Audio-Reader's Outreach Coordinator and Listener Liaison. The awards come at a challenging time for Audio-Reader. The University of Kansas announced last August that it would eliminate funding for the statewide reading service, which is now in its 48th year. KU officials said Audio-Reader could remain on campus, but would need to become a self-funding service. Audio-Reader employs five staffers, two of those part-time, and has more than 450 volunteers. I'm J. Schafer.
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Audio Reader Wins Multiple Awards at International Conference
Audio Reader was recently honored to win six awards in excellence at the 2019 International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS). This year’s conference, held in Phoenix, Arizona, June 5-9, recognized Audio Reader in six categories:
Program Award:
Magazines for the Adult Hour
Hosted by Melinda Kearney and Tom Kearney
Producers Nick Carswell and Joe Penrod
Audio Engineer Joe Penrod
Narrative Reading Award:
Beauty Will Save the World
Read by Camille Olcese
Producer Nick Carswell
Audio Engineer Nick Carswell and Joe Penrod
Thematic Production Award:
Springfield Regional News Promo
Voiced by Jen Nigro
Producer and Audio Engineer Nick Carswell
Non-Reading Entertainment Award:
New Years in History
Researched and Hosted by Carl Graves
Producer and Audio Engineer Nick Carswell
Public Affairs Award for Volunteer Excellence:
Carl Graves
Carl was nominated due to his outstanding commitment as a volunteer, and his ongoing dedication to Audio Reader. A $250 contribution was made to Audio Reader by IAAIS on behalf of the Volunteer Excellence award recipient.
In addition to the program awards, the C. Stanley Potter Lifetime Achievement Award winner was Lori Kesinger, Audio Reader’s Outreach Coordinator/Listener Liaison. The C. Stanley Potter Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest award bestowed by IAAIS. It is not presented lightly. It is not necessarily awarded at all. This award brings a new level of distinction and visibility to leaders in the audio information industry. It is the highest award to honor individuals for the exemplary quality of their work in furthering the mission of IAAIS and their contribution to the field of information access. This award is presented to those who have demonstrated a deep commitment to innovative initiatives that not only empower audio information services, but also advance the industry and ultimately benefit people who need access to information in audio format. Through the stories of these leaders we will be inspired to further our commitment to advance the mission of information access and individual independence in the world.
The nomination, by former IAAIS President David Noble of Voice Corps in Ohio, described Lori’s commitment and dedication throughout her career. “Working outside of the spotlight, she ensures that new services are introduced to the main body of the membership. Her deep industry knowledge of where to turn coupled with her complete lack of selfish ambition make her the quintessential ambassador to new members and new staffers at current members. Lori’s efforts have always gone above and beyond.”
The Audio-Reader Network is a reading and information service for blind, visually impaired, and print disabled individuals in Kansas and western Missouri. We read daily newspapers, magazines and best-selling books on the air and on the internet, 24 hours a day, and we offer automated newspaper readings by telephone. Services are offered free of charge to anyone in our listening area who is unable to read normal printed material.
The Audio-Reader Network fosters independence by providing access to information and the arts for people who have difficulty reading standard print due to vision loss, physical or learning disability, mobility challenges, and age.
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