Many of our readers are already familiar with Newsline® for the blind but if you are not perhaps the following will spark your interest.

Today, blind people who live in the Greater Hartford calling area (over 45 cities and towns) can pick up a touch-tone phone and listen to the Hartford Courant and three national newspapers with great flexibility. By using the touch-tone keys the listener can modify the synthesized voice according to personal preference; he can skip to any part of the paper or ask for a sentence or paragraph to be reread; he can vary the speed of the voice and even ask for a word to be spelled. In other words, the blind reader can enjoy this on-demand service with the same flexibility that a sighted reader enjoys while sitting at the breakfast table with the newspaper.

The National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut at no charge sponsors this service except that if the call is being made outside the Greater Hartford calling area normal in-state long distance charges apply. Our long-term goal is to provide the service throughout Connecticut at no charge. The next area to be served will be the Greater Stamford area. Considerable funding is already in place but a significant additional amount is needed and we have been directing our efforts towards that goal.

All that is required to get the service is a brief application form, which may be obtained from our outreach office at 580 Burnside Avenue, East Hartford, CT 06108. Phone: (860) 289-1971. An access code and a security code will be sent to you and then you’ll enjoy catching up.

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