AIRS
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[edit] AIRS (Access to Information and Reading Services)
AIRS aims to provide information of all kinds in an accessible form to people who have difficulty reading print.
AIRS is a Gateshead-based service. It produces four talking newspapers a week, and offers a comprehensive transcription service which includes the conversion of text to Braille, large print and audio tape.
[edit] Services Offered
[edit] AIRS Talking Newspaper Service
The talking newspaper and magazine service is available free to anyone in Gateshead who has difficulty reading print. Service is also available for a modest subscription to anyone outside the borough. It is the only council-funded talking newspaper in the UK.
The service consists of four 60 minute tapes per week. These are delivered on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in returnable wallets. Postage is free, and listeners return the tapes (in their own time) by simply reversing the address label on the tape wallet and putting them back in the post. The service is friendly and relatively informal in tone, and feedback from listeners is encouraged.
[edit] The Tapes
[edit] Sunny Side Up
The first tape of the week, Sunny Side Up, is a weekly audio magazine featuring fiction, factual articles, a quiz, and a review of CDs and talking books. The review slot also offers a competition, allowing listeners the opportunity to win the featured CD or book.
[edit] Wednesday Newspaper
Wednesday's tape consists of a newspaper on Side 1, with 30 minutes of national and regional news, plus a half-hour magazine on Side 2.
[edit] Sounds Northern
On Friday, clients receive Sounds Northern, which is entirely dedicated to Gateshead and the North East. It consists of news, including extracts from the Gateshead Post, plus weather, local history and other features. There's also What's On information, giving dates and times for concerts, shows and exhibitions in the region.
[edit] Saturday Newspaper
Saturday's newspaper offers news, plus a magazine that features a look ahead at the coming week's radio highlights.
[edit] AIRS Transcription Services
AIRS offers a comprehensive transcription service which includes the conversion of text to Braille, large print and audio tape.
All kinds of information can be transcribed, from a birthday card or invitation through to multiple copies of newsletters or company literature.
Every attention is given to detail and to making the information as accessible as possible for the person who will be using it.
The service also includes the binding of Braille and large print documents, fast copying and full recording facilities. The staff can offer advice on all areas of transcription, scripting, editing, recording and distribution.
[edit] Contact AIRS
[edit] Address
AIRS, Gateshead Central Library, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead, NE8 4LN
[edit] Telephone
Tel: 0191 433 8450
[edit] Fax
Fax: 0191 477 7852
[edit] Minicom
Minicom: 0191 478 4839
[edit] Videophone
Videophone: 0191 478 5986
[edit] E-mail
E-mail: airs@gateshead.gov.uk
[edit] External links
- AIRS home page Also has links to extracts from each of the tapes.
