HISTORY OF THE READING SERVICE

The idea of the Ohio Valley Audio Link
(OVAL), formerly known as Scioto Radio
Reading Service (SRRS) was conceived
after a visit a local High School by
Dr. Elmer Fischer. In Dr Fischer's
address he talked about the concept
of reading services and how they
provide information and entertainment
for those who cannot access normal print
publications. After his speech, the
question was raised about why Scioto
County did not have such a service for
the people in the area. A survey was taken
and it was discovered that the need was
great in Scioto County and the surrounding
area. Just like people all over the world the
residence of the community wanted to read
their local newspapers and keep informed
about events and news locally as well as
from around the world.

Planning for the Scioto Radio Reading
Service began in October of 1989 and the
service went on the air on April 27, 1990.
At the time, there was very little money so
WNXT (Hometown Broadcasting Company
of Portsmouth) graciously offered a frequency
for the Reading Service use to broadcast
the programming. Since that time additional
programming has been added and SRRS
now broadcast 24 hours a day with locally
produced programming. In addition, SRRS
broadcast programming from the VoiceCorps
Central Ohio a Radio Reading Service in
Columbus, WCRS Radio Reading Service
of Greater Cincinnati and programs from
other Radio Readings Services from around
the world that are provided through the IAAIS
program share.

The Scioto County Commissioners provided
the first facility for SRRS. The office and
studio was located in two small rooms in
the basement of the Scioto County Courthouse.
SRRS remained in the Courthouse until April
of 2000. SRRS then moved to two studios
and a larger office space located in the
Masonic Temple Building, 602 Chillicothe
Street, Portsmouth, Ohio. In 2007 SRRS moved
once again to their own stand alone building
at 544 2nd Street, Portsmouth Ohio. The move
expanded the SRRS studios two live studios
and three production studios The Scioto Radio
Reading Service is governed by a Board of
Trustees, which consist of volunteers from the
community. The service is funded by the United
Way of Scioto County, the eTech|Ohio, and
individual contributions from organizations.
Underwriting of programs in 2007 is being
provided by Desco Federal Credit Union
and SOMC (Southern Ohio Medical Center).

The Radio Reading Service is provided free
of charge to those who do not have easy
access to standard print due to visual loss,
physical disability or perceptual deficiency
(blindness, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy,
multiple sclerosis, severe arthritis,
spinal cord injury, stroke, etc.)

Response to the radio reading service concept
has been enthusiastic. Listeners have indicated
they can shop more effectively. Some say they
feel more competent in social settings and others
have reported attending various events, they know
nothing about before RRS. In general, RRS greatly
improves the quality of life of disabled and
elderly people.