[Blindtlk] Fwd: Radio Talking Book celebrates 40 years

[David Andrews]

>RELEASED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
>
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>January 6, 2009
>
>CONTACT: Kirsten Morell, 651-259-7161
><mailto:Kirsten.Morell at state.mn.us>Kirsten.Morell at state.mn.us
>
>MINNESOTA RADIO TALKING BOOK CELEBRATES 40 YEARS
>
>St. Paul - The Minnesota Radio Talking Book is celebrating 40 years 
>of service to the blind and visually impaired communities in 
>Minnesota and around the world. On January 2, 1969, the Minnesota 
>Radio Talking Book Network went on the air as the worlds first radio 
>reading service for the blind.
>
>Back in 1969, aside from some braille materials and books on tape 
>from the Library of Congress, there were no other options available 
>to blind and visually impaired people for accessing print material 
>such as newspapers, magazines and books by local authors.
>
>The inauguration of the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network 
>inspired other locations around the country to begin similar 
>services. Today there are more than 100 radio reading services 
>throughout the world delivering the joy and benefit of reading, 
>increasing listeners capacities to lead full and productive lives.
>
>On December 27, 2008, Twin Cities Public Television debuted a 
>documentary on the Radio Talking Book called On Air: 40 Years of the 
>Radio Talking Book.
>
>For more information, contact Stuart Holland, manager, Radio Talking 
>Book, at 651-642-0503 or go to: <http://www.mnssb.org/>www.mnssb.org .
>
>State Services for the Blind is a program of the Minnesota 
>Department of Employment and Economic Development.
>
>- 30 -
>
>(Upon request, the information in this news release is available in 
>an alternative format such as braille, large print, audiotape, or 
>computer disk.)
>
>
>
>==============================================================
>MN Department of Employment & Economic Development 332 Minnesota 
>Street Suite E200 St. Paul, MN 55101-1351 800-657-3858 
><http://www.positivelyminnesota.com/>http://www.positivelyminnesota.com
>|
>
>( <mailto:carol.walsh at state.mn.us>carol.walsh at state.mn.us )
>
>
>
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>

David Andrews and white cane Harry.