On Mon, 6 Apr 2020, Keith Lofstrom wrote:
I presume the public telephone system can be used to "broadcast" to many dialins simultaneously.Imagine a nationwide community of volunteers who read a book that they own over the phone to small groups of 5 to 15 blind listeners. Those listeners first call a "catalog number" to find find an upcoming reading they want to listen to, then join into the conference call at scheduled times. The volunteers don't just read, but interact with their listeners. Amateur but involved.
30 years ago, I lived for a year in Billings, MT. While there, I was a volunteer reader for Montana Audio Information Network. (The service closed for lack of funding in 2011.) This service used legally licensed sidebands to broadcast audio programming to the blind, who were given the receivers necessary to pick up the signals.
My duty was to read aloud the Billings Gazette. I and another reader alternated bits for a couple hours once a week. We read front pages stories, sports scores, obituaries, and even the grocery ads.
At the time I thought it was state-funded, but I later learned it was funded by grants and donations.
I don't know if there are similar services elsewhere, but I remember feeling like I was taking part in an essential service.
-- Paul Heinlein [email protected] 45°38' N, 122°6' W
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