Visions
A Connect feature on the views of people within the disability sector.
Ed Richardson, sharing the news and views of the world.
- Name:
- Ed Richardson
- Position:
- Director, Queensland Radio for the Print Handicapped and station manager, 4RPH.
What does 4RPH do?
We provide a service for people who, for whatever reason, are unable to read printed material in English.
There are RPH stations in every capital city except Darwin, as well as in many regional areas - mainly in Victoria.
4RPH's most-popular programs are broadcast between 6 am and 8 am and we attract about 30,000 listeners from Brisbane, Ipswich, Caloundra and the Gold Coast.
Our biggest group of listeners would probably be people who are illiterate, who tend to be more than 70 years of age and who missed the opportunity to learn to read before education became compulsory in Queensland. We also have a lot of listeners who understand spoken English but cannot read, as well as people from non-English-speaking backgrounds. Our second-biggest audience would be people who are blind or have severe vision impairment or limited vision that makes it difficult to read newsprint. There are also many other listeners who have a disability. For example, people with a physical disability who find it difficult to turn the pages of a broadsheet newspaper.
How did you become involved in the disability sector?
I worked as a technician with the ABC for 21 years and I received a phone call from a former colleague in October 1991 to volunteer as a technician. I offered to volunteer half a day a week - 4RPH didn't have anyone with technical skills. When the position of general manager became available in 1995 I took it on as a full-time volunteer.
What are your greatest achievements?
Just keeping 4RPH going! Also attracting volunteer readers and educating staff and volunteers about presenting and the technical side of production. We are also in the ongoing process of changing our format to exceed federal government guidelines to increase 'read content', as in programs where people read word-for-word from publications. We are also very proud of our program Access All Areas which is produced by two people who are blind, Geoff Shang and Amanda Tink. The show is funded by Disability Services Queensland and is broadcast every Tuesday at 7 am and again at 6.05 pm on 4RPH and at other times on almost every other RPH station in Australia.
How would you describe community attitudes towards people with a disability?
I think most people see people with a disability as objects of pity rather than as ordinary human beings who happen to have a disability. It is sad that people with a disability find it so difficult to get employment. We have six blind people working at 4RPH - announcers and technical producers - who all do a magnificent job. Also our office assistant has a severe visual impairment.
What is your vision for people with a disability in Queensland?
What I would like is for people with a disability to be fully accepted as members of the community and to be recognised for their contributions.
For more information about 4RPH: phone 3831 1296, email 4rphnews@uq.net.au or visit website www.connectqld.org.au/radio4rph
Last updated November 2007