DisabilityRadio

5RPH (Radio for the Print Handicapped) in Adelaide volunteers reads out a vital daily source of information

5RPH (Radio for the Print Handicapped) in Adelaide volunteers reads out a vital daily source of information
Newspapers, magazines, books, and other printed material are read to air at 5RPH (Radio for the Print Handicapped).

Adelaide’s 5RPH (Radio for the Print Handicapped) on 1197AM started as a community radio station in 1991 operated by volunteers. It provided a radio reading and information service to those unable to access daily printed material.

Its origins went back to 1983 when Adelaide University radio station, 5UV, set up an hour-long radio reading service for the print handicapped. The service aired every lunch time from a small house at Mile End, run by a small army of volunteers. When the service became unviable for the university, blind advocacy couple Malcolm and Rosemary Penn brought together several South Australian organisations assisting vision impaired people to support a wide radio service. As a result, 5RPH moved into the Guide Dogs South Australia building in Morphett Street, Adelaide city.

Its studios in Morphett Street, Adelaide, fed a 2000 watt transmitter at South Terrace, Wingfield, the same location as ABC News Radio station 5PB (and the previous 5DN site). Rosemary Penn became a long-time programme contributor for more than three decades.

Radio 5RPH became part of the radio print handicapped or Vision Australia Radio network of 17 capital-city (Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth) and regional stations. Newspapers, magazines, books, and other printed material are read to air. The station also hosts a morning sports show weekday mornings and has broadcasts matches from the South Australian National Football League.

An estimated 18.4% of South Australians have a print disability, and the Vision Australia Radio service was vital in meeting their information needs. With a broadcast area that covered most of South Australia’s population, Adelaide listeners relied on the service for readings from daily newspapers, weekly magazines and a selection of disability specific programs.

Each month, around 128 volunteers covered roles including readers, panel operators, editors and presenters donate about 1,400 hours to prepare and present the variety of programmes. Volunteers range in age from 23 to 86; from university students, retirees and some who are still working. About  93% of the volunteer workforce are retirees. McNair listener survey data estimated in 2019 that 70,000 people aged 15+, or 6% of all Adelaide people aged 15+, listen to 5RPH Vision Australia Radio at some time in a month.

A variety of Adelaide programmes, including Focal Point, Link On Air, Guest of Honour and Leisure Link, were also available as podcasts to stream online via Podbeam or download via the podcast page.

Other related ADELAIDE AZ articles

The equipment used by South Australia’s postmaster general and telegraph superintendent Charles Todd to send Australia's first radio signals in Morse code (see bottom of inset) from the Adelaide Observatory (inset left) on West Terrace, Adelaide city, to his son in law, future Nobel prize winner William Bragg, at Adelaide's Henley Beach (inset right) in 1897.
Braggs >
William Bragg, Charles Todd send Australia's earliest radio signals between Adelaide city, Henley Beach in 1899
READ MORE+
Bob Maynard (at left) was one of the original presenters on the national ABC FM (later ABC Classic) started in 1976 and broadcast f solely from the Australian Broacasting Corporation's Adelaide studios in Collinswood. Also pictured are presenters Marian Arnold, Geoff Bennett and Malcolm Patterson.
Music >
ABC FM (ABC Classic) a bold experiment by broadcasting solely out of Adelaide studios at Collinswood from 1976
READ MORE+
Restless Dance Theatre dancers Michael Hodyl and Jianna Georgiou in Seeing Through Darkness, performed at the Art Gallery of South Australia.in 2020. Inset: Restless Dance Theatre's artistic director from 2013, Michelle Ryan.
Disability >
Restless Dance Theatre for young disabled and non-disabled gains a special synergy under director Michelle Ryan
READ MORE+
The Adelaide Radio Revellers were part of the 5CL lineup. Image by Walter McNeill, about 1930, courtesy State Library of South Australia
Government >
5CL Adelaide's first professional radio station in 1924, with an A-Class licence to be funded by listeners
READ MORE+
Philip Satchell (right) with other ABC radio 5AN staff in the 1980 (from left): Peter Ford, Errol Silver, Carla Claegiari, Anna Shone and Ted Bull. Image courtesy Warwick Kemp
Newspapers >
Philip Satchell 5AN's calm, versatile, eccentric, concise continuum in 1980s climb despite ABC cuts
READ MORE+
Tony Pilkington and Barry Ion's breakfast show on 5AD broke all ratings records, before they moved to 5KA in 1983, then Sydney. Newspaper image courtesy Adelaide Remember When
Entertainers >
Bazz (Barry Ion) and Pilko (Tony Pilkington) take 5AD to record 42% breakfast rating before jumping to 5KA in 1983
READ MORE+

 

 
©2025 Adelaide AZ | Privacy | Terms & Disclaimer | PWA 1.1.58