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Audio Journal’s Mission in Central Massachusetts is to connect individuals with a visual impairment, or an inability to access print material, to their communities through broadcasting of local news, information, and entertainment with targeted programs and content.
Our History
Our History
Our History
Radio Reading
Audio Journal is generically known as a radio reading service for the blind. Others we serve are described as “print-disabled.” Whether it be Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury or another disability, these individuals have difficulty accessing print material.
Listeners hear broadcasts via a smart speaker, smart phone, computer, telephone, cable TV, or a special receiver tuned to Audio Journal’s frequency. Most programming is available as archived ‘podcasts’ on our website and Smart Phone Applications on both iPhone and Android.
WPI completed our iPhone app in 2022 and the new Audio Journal Android App just went live on February 15th, 2023.
Growth & Outreach
Currently, we have over 180 volunteers, including 11 Board members, young adult interns from MCB, Perkins School, and Works Inc., and three legally blind individuals. Together, they read 88 publications, which include local newspapers, magazines, books, and grocery flyers. Our volunteers contribute a total of 5,376 hours annually. In addition, we produce 292 hours of original programming each month, spanning 56 different programs. The role of our volunteers is crucial; we believe we serve and engage two communities: the listeners and the volunteers. Audio Journal fosters a sense of community across both groups and brings meaningful experiences to each.
The M.A.I.N Network
We are proud to be a member of the Massachusetts Audio Information Network (M.A.I.N.), a group of six Massachusetts non-profit radio reading service organizations. Each organization provides the reading of material to ensure important local news and information is accessible for people who are blind, visually impaired, low vision, and print impaired. The materials being read include newspapers, magazines, books, and community announcements.
Serving Our Community
19,983
Print-disabled individuals in Worcester County
3,399
Registered Legally Blind Residents in Worcester County
180+
Volunteers contributing 6,708 hrs/year, a value of over $213,000
2,002
Hours of Local Programming being broadcast annually
8,760
Total of hours of broadcasted content each year.
It costs Audio Journal only $15 per Print-disabled Person Per Year
(5 cents per day) to provide service. (Based on an annual budget of $300,000 and 19,983 print-disabled).
Audio Journal Board of Directors 2025-2026
Harry Duchesne
Executive Director
Audio Journal
Thomas Gittins
President
Retired Senior Director, Business Management
Veronique Dolce-Pierre
Vice-President
Relationship Branch Manager, Unibank
Sophie Santaella
Treasurer
Chief of Operations, Seven Hills Foundation
Kathlene Donahue
Secretary
Financial Advisor, TD Wealth
Grant Farrington
Director
Policy Analyst, Boston Municipal Research Bureau
Maribeth Fisher
Director
Assistant Vice President, Seven Hills Foundation
Stacy Lanier
Director
Retired Pastor, AJ Volunteer Reader
CJ Posk
Director
Retired Writer, Visually Impaired, AJ Listener
Ron Saloman
Director
Retired Attorney
Lauren Thamel, OD
Director
Optometrist, Vision Source
Catherine Thornton
Director
Retired Teacher