Newsline are delighted to announce the return of their weekly news podcasts from 2nd September 2021 bringing an audio copy of The Falkirk Herald to blind and partially sighted people across the area!
A registered charity, Newsline has been bringing Falkirk’s vision impaired community local news since 13th November 1981, so this year marks the 40th anniversary!
In that time there have been many changes, recordings were originally on a 90 minute cassette tape before moving to CDs and more recently, USB sticks.
Despite the long history and the important work of Newsline, they were not immune to the Covid-19 pandemic and made their last broadcast on 19th March, 2020. Over a year later, the service, which is staffed by volunteers, is geared up to start recording again.
To fill the gap and continue to provide a level of service, Forth Valley Sensory Centre took over making a weekly Falkirk Herald news podcast. This was initially meant to be a stop gap but as restrictions and lockdowns continued, so did the work of the Centre. Now, the team can hand back the baton to the professionals.
Chair of Newsline, Christine Moroney said:
“We are raring to go on 2nd September. It has been so long since we have been able to produce the recordings and everyone is looking forward to it. The Centre has been producing news podcasts, initially online and then including our USBs as it became clear that Covid restrictions were here to stay, that have kept people up to date with headline news and the most interesting articles, like Ian Scott’s history pieces. On behalf of all our members I would like to say this has been very much appreciated and thank you very much!”
While services are getting back to normal, and Newsline will be sending out their familiar, bright yellow USB sticks and envelopes once more, technology is moving on again.
Following a meeting with Cue and Review and British Wireless for the Blind, it is hoped that the online version of the paper will also continue, via the Talking Newspapers app.
Tests are at an early stage but in theory, it will mean that potential readers across the country, such as Falkirk ex-pats, will also have access to the Newsline recording using their smart phones and digital devices. More on this as we have it.
You can find out more information on Newsline, as well as contact and registration information on their website here.
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