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The purpose of a local Talking Newspaper is to provide partially sighted people (and others) with a means of keeping in touch with local news. The great majority of them are elderly, and it is particularly important that they should not become isolated from their communities through their inability to read local newspapers, which are normally their only source of local news.

Local Talking Newspapers are continually being started in the country. The strength of the movement lies in the vigour and individuality of each local TN in the context of its own community. They nonetheless all have certain features in common, and the purpose of these notes is to make available to anyone contemplating setting up a new one some of the experience of those already operating. The main steps to be taken are as follows:

Forming a Group

From six to twenty people will be needed, depending on the scale of the project and the amount of time each participant has. It is a good idea to include some who are themselves blind, or partially sighted people and at least one person should have some technical knowledge. Inform and invite advice from the local Social Services Department, the local Society for the Blind, and local newspapers (the latter if only to avoid copyright problems). Appoint your main officers (e.g. chairman, secretary, treasurer, technical manager) and draw up rules. If desired, presidents may be appointed, and application made for registration as a charity.

Other Contacts

It is best if you go and talk personally to your local Head Postmaster about the free postage facility under Articles for the Blind in the Postal Regulations, and to show him/her the sort of postal pack you will be using. Try also to visit an existing Talking Newspaper, any of which would be pleased to help.

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