About Audio Information Services

About AIS on WQUB-FM

Mission Statement

Tri-States Audio Information Services fosters equal access to printed materials for individuals in the tri-states who are blind, visually impaired, learning disabled, or physically disabled.
Specifically, the mission of Tri-States Audio Information Services is to make quality audio programming accessible to persons who are blind, visually impaired, learning disabled, or physically disabled. The AIS serves people of all ages, educational levels, and social backgrounds. The primary focus is to provide the following:

1.    In-depth readings of national, regional and local news along with special interest magazines and novels/short stories

2.    Feature programming related to disabilities and other topical issues

3.    Supplemental services as technology evolves and resources dictate, and

4.    Volunteer and employment opportunities for students and members of the community. Operating as a nonprofit organization, AIS seeks financial support from public and private sources.

WQUB-FM re-broadcasts the Tri-States Audio Information Services programming originating from WIUM-FM in Macomb, IL, as a service to our listeners.

Radio Information Service (RIS)

The Radio Information Service of WIUM/WIUW is a regional radio reading service for persons who are blind, visually impaired, learning disabled, or physically disabled. Broadcasting from the campus of Western Illinois University, the RIS operates on subcarrier channels in conjunction with WIUM-FM Macomb; WIUW-FM Warsaw/Keokuk; and WQUB-FM Quincy. Listeners are supplied with pre-tuned radio receivers in order to pick up the closed-circuit broadcasts. The radio receivers are available at no charge and are on permanent loan until the listener is no longer in need of the service.

Volunteers and staff members read national, regional and local newspapers, special interest magazines, and novels for hundreds of listeners in the tri-states. The newspapers, magazines and other printed materials that are read are not available in Braille, large print, or on audiocassettes. Additionally, the RIS broadcasts feature programs tailored exclusively for the listeners. Broadcasts reach all or parts of a 20-county area spanning west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. Primary attention is given to daily newspapers serving the communities reached by the RIS. The Radio Information Service broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with overnight hours provided by the In-Touch Satellite Network originating from New York, NY.

The Radio Information Service is a member of Illinois Radio Information Services, (IRIS) - a statewide organization representing radio reading services located in and servicing communities around Belleville, Carbondale, Champaign, Chicago, Dekalb/Rockford, Godfrey, Macomb, Mt. Carmel, Peoria, Rock Island, and Springfield - and the International Association of Audio Information Services (IAAIS), promoting audio information services worldwide.

More information is available by contacting:

Radio Information Service

504 University Services Building, Western Illinois University
Phone: (309) 298-2403
Fax: (309) 298-2133
Office Hours: M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; Sat/Sun 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Become A Listener

Eligibility

Audio Information Services (AIS) listeners are a multigenerational group of people who are blind, visually impaired, learning disabled, or physically disabled. AIS listeners want to be informed, to learn, and to be entertained. Listeners receive the programming in their homes, educational settings, hospitals, retirement centers, and various institutional settings. There is no charge for the services.

Listener Application

An application is required in order to receive any of the services offered by Audio Information Services. The application is available or can be filled out by an Audio Information Service staff member by calling (309) 298-2403 or send e-mail to ais@wiu.edu.