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.