Innovative Radio Station wins Local Government Oscar
Added: (Fri Jun 24 2005)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
INNOVATIVE RADIO STATION WINS LOCAL GOVERNMENT OSCAR
'VIP ON AIR', Europe's only radio station serving blind and partially
sighted people, has been awarded a COSLA Excellence Award 2005 in the
category of Innovative Use of Technology.
The award, one of only eight handed over at a special ceremony held 15th June in Bishopbriggs is the equivalent of a local government Oscar.
VIP ON AIR is funded and supported by Glasgow City Council in partnership with RNIB Scotland. It broadcasts over the Internet from a specially adapted
studio located at the Council's Centre for Sensory Impairment in Gullane
Street, Partick, providing tailored, accessible information.
By tuning into VIP ON AIR, a blind or partially sighted person can listen to a selection of newspapers on the same day they hit the street, thus overcoming
the situation where it can take up to three days for them to receive an
abridged audio recording of newspapers. The station also has a regular and popular line-up of news and entertainment programmes, supported by live studio debates and phone-ins.
Councillor Jim Coleman, the Deputy Leader of Glasgow City Council, was
one of the driving forces behind the establishment of VIP ON AIR. He
said: -
"It is always immensely rewarding to be acknowledged by our peers in
local government, and I am thrilled that VIP ON AIR has picked up this
unique award.
"This project is achieving a great deal, not least helping to break down
the barriers faced by blind and partially sighted people in having quick
and easy access to information."
Bailie Alan Stewart, the Council's spokesperson on Information and
Communications Technology added his congratulations to the VIP ON AIR
team. He said:
"One of the most pleasing things about the project is that it provides a
valuable training ground for blind people who may be interested in
building a career in broadcasting. We have already had fifteen people enter into full-time employment or training within the broadcasting industry, including BBC Scotland, and I'm sure others will follow."
VIP ON AIR began broadcasting on 20 November 2003. It can be accessed
at
www.viponair.com