VOICEcorps reading service

03/17/2026

Meet VOICEcorps volunteer Joshua Gandee! ☘️

Joshua is a newer volunteer, having joined the VOICEcorps family in October 2025. He found us through the Columbus Metropolitan Library when he was “looking for resources to lend my voice and a way to keep up with current events.”

He ultimately chose to volunteer with us because he “immediately loved VOICEcorps as a service when I learned about what it was able to bring to the community, and the decades of service it had under its belt.” Joshua enjoys reading aloud so it was the perfect marriage of his talent and our mission.

He loves to read anything from the beat generation. In fact, his favorite book is “Desolate Angels”, Jack Kerouac’s semi-autobiographical tale about the lead up to the publication of “On the Road”. He also enjoys reading poetry by Gary Snyder whenever he feels like he is “sitting behind a desk too long.”

Outside of volunteering with us he runs marathons and enjoys cycling. He recently ran a marathon as part of the Dresden/Columbus sister city exchange and “loved the connection that my city could make across the globe.” 💙🌎

Our volunteers are caring folks from all walks of life, with all kinds of hobbies and interests who truly want to play their part in making our community more equitable. Would you like to join them?

Become a volunteer 🗣️- https://voicecorps.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Find other ways to support 💙- https://voicecorps.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/



Alt-text: Volunteer Spotlight graphic featuring a photo of Joshua Gandee with a floral background.

03/13/2026

Whether you are a fan of country music or not, the impact Dolly Parton has had on literacy in children has earned the respect and admiration of millions…but did you know her Imagination Library program also offers braille and audio books for children who are blind or have low vision? 💙🙌

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library partners with American Printing House to offer a book in the mail every other month at absolutely no cost! Visit the website and fill out the application and see what books are on deck to be sent to your mailbox! 📬

Speaking of free services, we at VOICEcorps offer our broadcast of volunteer read news, articles, books, and unique programming at no cost. If you know someone who could use VOICEcorps to enrich their life, here are some valuable links to visit:

About 🤔- https://voicecorps.org/about/
Listen 👂- https://voicecorps.org/listen/
Programming 📻- https://voicecorps.org/programming/schedule/
Support 🙌-https://voicecorps.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/
Volunteer 🤓-https://voicecorps.org/get-involved/volunteer/



Alt-text: Logo for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Ohio bordered with covers of children's books.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio Braille and Audio Options Braille and Audio Options American Printing House (APH) selects six titles from the current Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library collection that are most appropriate for children with visual impairment. Children will receive a br...

03/10/2026

Sundays can be a time for reflection and pause for many of us. Why not start the morning with VOICEcorps' Poetry and Prose Hour? 📻💙

Every Sunday at 6AM we air an hour of volunteer read poetry presented for the listening pleasure of our wonderful audience of print disabled individuals. Listeners can tune in on their VOICEcorps provided radio, on their Alexa smart speaker or online at
https://voicecorps.org/listen/



Alt-text: An open book with fallen leaves and flowers, with promotional text about the Poetry and Prose Hour.

03/09/2026

Thank you to Community Shares of Mid Ohio for the shout-out! 💙
We are proud to serve the print-disabled community (those with low vision, no vision, dyslexia, MS, Parkinson's and more) with our 24/7 365 broadcast of news, information, stories, books, and original programming!

March is Disability Awareness Month.

We’re proud to recognize Community Shares members creating access, expanding opportunity, and strengthening inclusion across Central Ohio, including, but not limited to:

✨ American Council of the Blind of Ohio
✨ Creative Living
✨ Deaf Services Center
✨ Dreams on Horseback
✨ Greenleaf Job Training Services, Inc.
✨ VOICEcorps reading service

Each of these organizations plays an important role in creating a more inclusive community by expanding access to education, employment, communication, and connection.

Join us in recognizing their work and the impact they make every day.

03/07/2026

We are fortunate to have such a wonderful library system here in Columbus! 📖💙

Millions of items are lent out every year serving millions of people, including those with print disabilities. Many library patrons may not realize that Columbus Metropolitan Library offers many adaptive services, you just have to ask!

For instance, all branches offer EZSee keyboards, high fidelity headphones, and all public computers have Microsoft screen-magnification and JAWS screen-reader software.The main library even offers a CCTV magnifier. 🔎

These are not all of the services offered (you can find the full list by clicking the link to their website), and if you require any accommodation, you can call ahead at this number➡ (614)645-2275.

Don’t forget- VOICEcorps volunteers record readings of books for our low vision, blind, and print disabled listeners to enjoy! Visit here for the full program schedule ➡https://voicecorps.org/programming/schedule/



Alt-text: White background with orange logo for Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Adaptive Services Assistive equipment, services and collections are available for individuals with disabilities. Reasonable Accommodations...

03/06/2026

Need some good news? 😊

Late last year, a small study of 38 blind individuals with untreatable age-related macular degeneration took place at London’s Moorfields Eye Hospital. All participants were given a subretinal photovoltaic implant and by the 12 month mark, an 80% improvement score was documented. 🙌

While this was in fact a small study, it feels like a big step forward in the advancements in treating eye conditions, low vision, and blindness. We will bring you updates to this story as they are released.

For more disability related information and stories, be sure to tune into our Disability Scoop program which airs every Friday at 12PM! 💙

Link to listen 📻 https://voicecorps.org/listen/

Link to our schedule 👩‍💻 https://voicecorps.org/programming/schedule/

Link to support us 🙏 https://voicecorps.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/



Alt-text: A woman uses a magnifying device to read text on a computer screen.

Blind people were able to read again, Ireland kept its basic income for artists, and life returned to a US river, plus more good news

03/02/2026

VOICEcorps is all about community and awareness and that is why we are recognizing National Consumer Protection Week! ⚠️

Our audience of low vision, blind, and print disabled listeners are just as susceptible, if not more so, than the general public to scams and fraudulent activity. Remember: if someone who you don’t know is asking for personal information or if something doesn’t feel or sound right to you,reach out to someone you trust before giving them your valuable information. 🕵️‍♀️

⭐Visit http://ftc.gov/ncpw for information on how to avoid, report, and recover from scams. ⭐

Tune in to VOICEcorps 24/7 365 for news,information, and entertainment ⬇
https://voicecorps.org/listen/



Alt-text:The image is designed to promote National Consumer Protection Week, displayed on a teal background. On the left, a large light blue circle contains the words "We’re celebrating" in a playful, cursive font. To the right, bold white text announces "National Consumer Protection Week," followed by the dates "March 1–7, 2026," with a website link "ftc.gov/ncpw" and hashtag " ."

02/27/2026

Debra Kurtis, who was diagnosed with dyslexia in her twenties, never thought she would or could write a novel. ✍

Kurtis writes in this article for People ,“My dyslexia manifests in several ways...even at 62, I can’t tell my right from my left.” While she was writing her novel, “Laws of Love and Logic” which hit bookstores on February 17th, Kurtis recruited the help of her two daughters to help spot mistakes in her writing. 🤝

Dyslexia is both a learning and print disability and those with dyslexia may benefit from our broadcast service here at VOICEcorps. If you or someone you know would like more information on how to access news, articles,books, and entertaining programming through us, visit us here ➡ https://voicecorps.org/



Alt-text: Author Debra Kurtis stands between her two daughters against a terracotta background.

"I was lucky enough to have two inspiring mentors who recognized that I had more to offer than what was reflected by my standardized test scores," writes Debra Curtis in an exclusive essay for PEOPLE in advance of her debut novel, 'Laws of Love and Logic'

02/24/2026

Do your regular grocery shopping at Kroger and support VOICEcorps at the same time! Just follow these easy steps, go on a grocery run, and help sustain our mission of bringing information to those with a print disability. 💙

(1)- Log on to Kroger.com/communityrewards

(2)- Create an account or log on to existing account.

(3)- Search for VOICEcorps using name or organization number (SY660)

(4)- Click “select” and “save”

(5)- VOICEcorps earns money and costs shoppers nothing extra!

If you have any questions on how to set this up for yourself, call us at (614) 274-7650 and we can walk you through it! 🫡

Learn more about how you can help raise funds for community schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations. Our community rewards program makes it easy. Learn more about Kroger Community Rewards.

02/21/2026

The more you know: Vision loss does not look the same for all people and all conditions. 👁❌

VisionServe Alliance has released simulations of what people with low vision may see in an attempt to broaden understanding for those of us who may have vision that is not considered “low” (i.e. can be corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgeries).

Blurred and distorted vision, tunnel vision, and contrast loss are some of the examples provided within the article. Feel free to check out the images and expand your understanding on what it may look to experience certain conditions. 🧐

VOICEcorps proudly serves our listeners of print-disabled individuals 24/7 365 days a year! We care deeply for our community and bring news, information, books, and entertainment to our audience at no cost! 🆓

Find out where & how to listen➡https://voicecorps.org/



Alt-text: Purposely blurred photo of two children wearing red and purple dresses sitting on a staircase with arms raised.

Low Vision About 18 million people in the United States experience severe vision loss which can be classified as legally blind or partially sighted. This means that they experience a significant reduction in visual function that cannot be fully corrected…

02/19/2026

Over 95% of Americans will make at least one online purchase this year (according to Google).

Did you know that you can shop online for groceries at Walmart, clothes at Kohl’s and office supplies at Staples and support us here at VOICEcorps through iGive.com ? Did you know you can order your eyewear from Sunglass Hut and your contacts from 1-800 CONTACTS and support our mission? 😮
Well now you do!😊

Here is how to get started:
1- Visit iGive.com today to make an account.
2- Search for VOICEcorps reading service.
3- Start shopping by visiting iGive FIRST and/or download the iGive browser extension so that the retailers know you want to donate a portion of what you spend!

Even better, iGive is currently offering a $15 New Member Shopping Bonus! Visit here for more details: https://www.iGive.com/ov4Ldee

We hope that this makes for an easy way for you to help support us in our mission of bringing valuable information and equity to our listeners with no vision, low vision, and other print disabilities they may not receive otherwise. 💙



Alt-text: Photo of open book with black ribbon bookmark. Top of photograph reads "The more you shop, the more you give" in black letters.

02/17/2026

Meet VOICEcorps volunteer Sylvia Bower! 💜

Sylvia discovered VOICEcorps when she saw an ad in the Columbus Dispatch. Sylvia had just retired and was looking for a volunteer opportunity and “VOICEcorps seemed perfect.” She ultimately chose to volunteer with us due to the mission of VOICEcorps and her love of reading. 📔

Sylvia’s favorite genre to read is fiction but she cannot simply pick a favorite book, as she loves so many. When she isn’t reading the Dispatch live for us on Friday mornings, she enjoys traveling, hiking and walking, seeing movies, occasionally hitting the ski slopes, and spending time with her grand-daughter. 😊

We at VOICEcorps wouldn’t be able to operate without our amazing volunteers such as Sylvia who lend their voices reading materials for those who are unable to read for themselves. 🫶

Want to help others? Volunteer with us! 🫡
Click here to get started ➡ https://voicecorps.org/get-involved/volunteer/



Alt-text: Image showcasing "Volunteer Spotlight February 2026" with two people smiling, (Sylvia and her husband Bob), surrounded by floral silhouettes, and the name "Sylvia Bower" at the bottom.