Aftersight

Working and volunteering at Aftersight has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. This nonprofit is truly dedicated to making a difference for individuals who are blind or have low vision.

The team is passionate, welcoming, and driven by a genuine commitment to accessibility.

Aftersight's innovative approach provides engaging and reliable content for the community. The organization’s focus on content integrity and transparency ensures that listeners receive trustworthy information.

The leadership is fantastic, fostering a positive and supportive environment for volunteers. I highly recommend volunteering at Aftersight to anyone looking to make a meaningful impact. Five stars for an incredible organization!

I've been a volunteer at AINC for over three years. The staff is very invested in what goes on there, because they typically were volunteers themselves when they started. They became passionate about what they were doing and wanted to work for the organization, David Dawson's brainchild. Now AINC not only serves Colorado through Rocky Mountain PBS, but can be heard nationally through other PBS networks as I understand it. The staff takes good care of its volunteers, providing treats and an appreciation brunch annually as well as potlucks. I am proud to serve AINC!

This is my third year as a reader for this organization, the Audio Information Network of Colorado (formerly Radio Reading Service of the Rockies). I chose this organization because it allows me to have a direct influence on the people who benefit. I am not writing a check and hoping it gets to the people in need. My contribution extends straight to the listeners, and hopefully it brings something extra to their day. One of the best things about AINC is that it is always innovating, always trying to improve its product and its service to its constituents. When broadcasters switched over to digital, AINC partnered with community leaders to make the switch as well. And they do all of this at no expense to the people they are serving.

I have been volunteering with AINC/RRSR for about four years. In that time, I have learned that programs are syndicated not only at state level but also at national level. AINC/RRSR provides programs to the blind, visually impaired and print handicapped because these people have no other access to newspapers or books.

I'm a retired teacher who had been looking for a volunteer area that fit my needs and would help others. A friend told me about her work at the Audio Information Network of Colorado...reading for the blind. I knew immediately this is what I wanted to do. The past 5 years have been wonderful. The people that I've met: Kat, David, Pam, Sheila, Steve, Kevin, Regina, Pat, and many more have only filled my coffers. Volunteering here has truly brought immeasurable joy to my life. I've happily driven thru snow storms to get there.

I've been a volunteer reader for the Audio Information Network of Colorado (formerly the Radio Reading Service of the Rockies)for eight years. The mission of the organization is to provide access to print media to the blind and visually impaired throughout Colorado. The staff has been steadfastly enthusiastic about the mission and how to improve the delivery of this service and are always very appreciative of the volunteer readers. During my time they made a seamless transition to digital recordings enabling someone like me to record at home and avoid the 70 mile round trip to the studio; an environmental as well as a time benefit. Blind listeners assure us that being able to hear about news, reviews, world events, politics, advertisements, humor, entertainment events etc. not only keeps them informed but relieves their sense of isolation. This in itself gives me a tremendous sense of satisfaction. In addition, I have to admit, I enjoy the articles I read and find myself much more informed than I otherwise would have been without my reading assignment. You can't beat a vitally important cause, a wonderful staff, appreciative listeners and a happy, loyal and more knowledgeable volunteer. Thank you AINC (RRSR).

Radio Reading Service of the Rockies, now called the Audio Information Network of Colorado (AINC) is a free 24/7 audio broadcasting service located in Boulder to serve Colorado’s blind, visually impaired and print disabled residents. I have been a volunteer for over two years. AINC records and broadcasts audio recordings of materials that are usually not available in audio format including over 100 regional and local newspapers, magazines, job listings, discount grocery ads and coupons, children’s programming and Spanish programming via live streaming, special transmitter, podcasts and phone. The programming is like a continually updated 24/7 audio library for the blind and visually-impaired and print-handicapped people so they too can listen, learn and connect to the same information that sighted-people have access to.

Since my vision was serverely compromised as a result of a stroke, I have gegun to understand the feelings of isolation people with low vision and blindness experince. I feel honored to be asked to use my previous business and non profit board experience to help the AINC continue to achieve the goals of providing listening services as it has done for 20 years.

I joined RRSR (now AINColorado) in 2008 as a volunteer reader. Since then, I have been astounded at the sheer number of peple who choose to give of their time and abilities in this way. A vital service for the visually disabled brings out the best people in a commmunity and brings out the best in those people. I don't feel "special," but I do feel that I'm part of a very special group who have no self-serving agenda to push and no lust for glory. Instead, they have an unassuming but essential mission to help others. The staff at AINColorado likewise are as dedicated a group as I've ever encountered. It's a good feeling to be part of an organization that wants to raise others (not themselves) up and tear nobody down in the process. I expect to be part of AINC for a long time to come.

I have been a proud volunteer for over 3 years at the Audio Information Network of Colorado...Our organization provides audio content: over the internet, phone, and special transmitter to visually impaired people all over the state. It has been in service for 20 years. Hundreds of volunteers read important info: novels, local news, grocery and other store ads, etc...This service is very valuable to the thousands of people that hear it daily. My program is called Body and Soul...it provides wellness infomation: diet, spirituality, relationships, etc...to people who normally would have no access to this type of information. It warms my heart to provide a reliable voice for those who need it.

This is a great service that allows listeners to connect with their local community through their local newspapers. No other service provides this to Colorado's print-disabled.

I've volunteered with AINC for 6 years and have been so blessed by providing this service to our listeners. It is a great organization to volunteer for as they treat their volunteers very well and show their appreciation for all we do. I also have been a board member since 2004 so see what a well run organization AINC is.

I am delighted to say that I have been a volunteer for AINC for the past five years. After college I was looking for a tight-knit and dedicated non-profit where I could donate my time and talent. A close friend recommended that I volunteer at AINC because the organization had an outstanding mission and family-like atmosphere. As the Saturday station opener, I had a chance to meet all of the Saturday volunteers each week and made sure the live shows were up and running. I am proud to say that my fellow volunteers and the AINC staff have become a second family for me. Not only does AINC provide quality programming for the hearing-impaired and homebound, but it also enriches the lives of all who volunteer for the organization.

Now known as the AINC, I started reading the Rocky Mountain News about 12 years ago live on the Radio Reading Service of the Rockies. A partner and I did this weekly for 10 years until he retired. Now I record the New York Times Magazine which I thorougly enjoy. Because it is an hour of reading, I strive to use voice and pacing variety to generate interest. Working with the staff, (Kat, Paul, David, Pam, regina and others) is pure fun and pleasure. I truly hope that sight impaired listeners are informed and entertained just as much as I am while I read.

I have been involved with this organization for over 10 years. I began volunteering while I was in college and for the past 3 years have been a member of the AINC Board of Directors. AINC's committed staff and incredible volunteers all have a dedication that I have not seen in any other place that I volunteer. When the digital changeover was happening last year not many organizations saw the effect that was going to have on broadcasting information like this. They sought out, designed, engineered, and distributed new receiver boxes BEFORE THE CHANGE so that people who were not able to access the visual only menus weren't left out. They also lend their programming and technology expertise to other states so that listeners around the nation can be connected to the world that is around them. They are a forward-thinking non-profit dedicated to not just the people the serve but the big vision of providing information access to people who are visually impaired.

Radio Reading Service, now called Audio Information Network of Colorado, provides access for the blind and visually impaired to pertinent and current print media via an on-air reading service. Programs are read over the air, and free equipment is provided to the blind and visually impaired allowing access to the broadcasts. Audio Information Network of Colorado is a leader in providing audio access to print media for the blind and visually impaired, and in developing the equipment and technology for this type of service.

My mother was no longer able to read her local Ft Collins paper anymore due to her diabetes. When I heard how much she enjoyed the service, I volunteered to read for them as well. Been going on three years now. They do great work and the organization is run by dedicated individuals.

Several years ago I saw a very small print ad in the local paper asking for volunteers to read for the Radio Reading Service of the Rockies. It was so small that you could easily overlook it. I called the number and before you knew it I was in a recording room reading news about the western slope to be aired later that day. I continued this weekly routine, not knowing exactly what I was really a part of, but that it was all for good. I know how important radio news is to me, I listen to national and local news on the radio all the time. Imagine how important this is for the visually impaired ! Little did I know what a great organization I was a part of. Everyone who works so hard to bring this service to life is a person of great heart and intelligence. My life is enriched just knowing them and seeing them once a week. The army of volunteers also bears proof that this organization is a terrific service for the community. I am grateful that I could read a humble newspaper ad that brought me to this group. Now maybe someone else can listen to my humble readings and find new connections in their journey as well.

This friendly and welcoming organization is a pleasure to volunteer for; as the staff provide such a warm and wonderfully supportive environment. I just know that they appreciate my time and always make me feel like I am doing something special each week reading the news on the air. When I first started volunteering, I wanted to provide a service, but 'working' for AIN of CO has been a gift of friendship from those I've met. It makes me feel really good inside to be a part of this team and to know that my voice is making a difference in people's lives.