It could be considered the unkindest cut of all. The WHIL Radio Reading Service, which has served visually and physically impaired residents of Baldwin and Mobile counties free of charge for nearly two decades, recently learned the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) plans to cancel its new contract, using a clause enabling state officials to do so.

That signals a loss of around $45,000 for the current fiscal year which began Oct. 1, and could silence a source of news and information that helps give a sense of independence to hundreds, if not thousands, through special radios, Comcast Cable in Mobile and streaming Internet audio.

WHIL-FM General Manager Mario Mazza said, “They signed a contract a couple of months ago, and we thought everything was fine. But, there’s a 30-day cancellation clause, and they exercised that. Birmingham has the only other fully developed (24-hour) radio reading service (through WBHM-FM). They cut them 20 percent, but they were given a year. We were just told we were going by the wayside. This was a big surprise since this thing has been going on unabated since 1989. We would have liked to have been given more notice.”

Jim Carden, assistant ADRS commissioner for blind and deaf services, said, “It was late notice, and I regret that. I can’t give an excuse for that.” He added, “This year our funding to adequately provide services has really been tight. Our primary mission is rehabilitation, job training and placement for the blind. I first discussed this with our blind advisory committee, and their priority was our vocational services. We were looking to expand our services with the Mobile Association for the Blind with a job readiness program for blind folks.”

The Mobile-based RRS operates from studios located on the Spring Hill College campus with only two paid employees. They handle administrative, programming and technical duties, while volunteers read local and national print media, including this and other Gulf Coast Newspapers publications.

Mazza said, “We try to provide things for a visually impaired person – things they can’t provide themselves unless they can have someone read to them. We read news, editorial columns and magazines. They are primarily local, but also regional and national. It’s not a matter of these things being easily replaced. We touch 400 to 500 people just through the radios. For the funding per person, it’s a small amount.”

RRS Director Brad Martin, can relate to the value of the reading service because he has been blind since birth. He said the state funding loss is especially tough to swallow because the service already operates in a no-frills manner, and there are no realistic ways to reduce costs.

“We’ve already cut as much as we can cut,” Martin said. “We used to spend $100 per radio, but now are able to buy $25 radios.”

The radios are used to receive the special 91.3 FM subchannel used for RRS broadcasts. Users who can afford it are asked to make a donation to pay for their radio, but it is not required.

Martin said local publications donate subscriptions while a couple of national magazines charge standard rates, adding money is saved in other ways in order to stretch the meager budget.

Carden noted the ultimate decision to drop funding after 18 years was made locally, where spending discretion is placed.

Manny Russo, ADRS supervisor in Mobile, said, “I have to prioritize the money in the area. We take a strong look at where to spend our money to meet our mission. The department participation initially was seed money. It was never intended to be a permanent source of income (for RRS). We need to use the money to serve disabled individuals. Our mission is to help people go to work for themselves and their families.”

Pointing out the irony, Mazza said, “They are taking away the employment of a blind person to do this.”

But, Russo emphasized, “We try to do as much as we can in our community to help the visually impaired with their quality of life. It (WHIL RRS) really doesn’t fall in the realm of our true mission and that is to help people get to work.”

Carden said, “There are also radio reading services in Tuscaloosa and Huntsville. Mobile and Birmingham were the only places we provided funding.” He said he doesn’t intend in any way to downplay the role the WHIL RRS plays in the lives of those it serves, but added there are other sources for similar services in this high-tech age, a fact that helped lead to the decision to pull funding.

Russo pointed to newspapers and magazines that now furnish online content, which can be accessed via special software that “reads” text using an electronic voice. He also mentioned the National Federation of the Blind Newsline, which is available by telephone, as well as Tell Me, another interactive phone service that provides print content.

Martin said both can be problematic, however, especially for low income individuals as well as the elderly, who are developing vision problems such as macular degeneration.

“The software is cost prohibitive for many,” he said. “And (seniors) are doing things like trying to cook for themselves. Learning to control a computer is a challenge at 20 and 30, but if you’re 80 and trying to pour your coffee without spilling it, learning to surf the Internet is nearly impossible. I’m used to it. It’s not worth the frustration of retraining yourself at such a late age. We make it easy for them.”

Martin said because many RRS listeners may not know anyone who will read to them on a regular basis, and will not likely embrace new technology, they will feel less independent if the service goes dark.

The WHIL RRS has around 80 volunteers on its roster, with 50 voicing nearly 38 hours of programming each week. Other material is relayed via satellite or through online sources.

Martin said the RRS is a member of the International Association of Audio Information Services. The local reading service syndicates programs worldwide through the IAAIS servers, which are hosted at the WHIL studios. In turn, the WHIL RRS “borrows” programming from other members.

Among them, he said, are AARP publications, which are broadcast from Indiana, and Southern Living magazine broadcasts, which originate from a Virginia radio reading service.

“We share Newsweek, TV Guide and O (Oprah Winfrey’s magazine),” Martin said, adding he has heard WHIL RRS volunteers reading on a San Francisco service.

“We all exist on next to nothing because the value of what we do is understated,” he said. “Many people don’t know someone who is blind, so it’s no big deal (to them).”

There is alternative funding available to keep RRS on the air, according to Russo. He said, “There are a lot of grants out there. If someone works hard at it, I believe the funding is available.”

Martin disagrees. He said replacement funding will be difficult to secure on such short notice. Most public agencies and private foundations have already earmarked their donations for the next 12 months, he noted.

Russo had initially planned to end the funding effective Dec. 31, but RRS has been given a little wiggle room.

Mazza and Martin appealed to state legislators for help. Rep. Chad Fincher (R-Semmes) managed to get the RRS an extension. He is also helping by looking for additional funding sources.

Carden said, “I’ve discussed this with my boss, (ADRS Commissioner) Steve Shivers, and we extended that funding through March 31.”

Mazza said, “We’re happy for the stay of execution, but eventually there’s going to be an execution. We’re certainly looking for alternative sources of funding, but that’s going to be hit and miss.”

WHIL’s recent on-air fund-raiser garnered some money for RRS, but much more is needed. Martin said, “During the pledge period, we pitched the reading service. There has been some support. It’s appreciated, but we have long way to go to make $45,000 back. We will follow as many different angles as we have to, to keep things going.”

Donations to RRS are welcome. They can be mailed to WHIL Radio Reading Service, P.O. Box 8509, Mobile, AL 36689-0509.

For more information about the WHIL RRS, or if you know someone who can benefit from the service, call Martin at (251) 380-4699, or visit www.alaprint.org.

To find out more about Tell Me, call (800) 555-8355. If you would like to get on board Newsline, call Dezman Jackson at (251) 689-4623 or e-mail him at jacksd06@comcast.net.