Requirements
Whether you read, produce, substitute, describe or assist in other ways, we require:
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A commitment of two hours per week for at least a year.
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That all persons must be 18 or older to be a volunteer at Taping.
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That all potential volunteers interested in reading, reviewing, producing or describing pass an audition.
For the audition, a pronunciation list and news article is read onto a digital recorder, then given to our Quality Review Panel.
Quality Standards
The Quality Review Panel consists of several volunteers and the Manager of Radio. Their evaluations are based on years of experience and training. We are not expecting professional readings. Factors our Review Committee will consider are pronunciation, expression, diction and pacing. Dictionaries and reference materials are available, and their use is encouraged.
After the Audition
Once you have passed the audition, the Volunteer Coordinator will call to discuss your volunteer assignment and schedule a training time. Training sessions are provided for all areas including machine and procedural training. Training sessions also offer opportunities for practice in a variety of reading situations. Once training is complete, volunteers work independently in their respective areas.
There are other volunteer opportunities to assist at Taping which do not require an audition. These opportunities may include: librarian, data entry assistant, newsletter writer and editor, clerical assistant and office receptionist.
The Greater Houston Federal Credit Union
As a regular volunteer for Taping For The Blind Inc., you're eligible to become a member of the Greater Houston Federal Credit Union (GHFCU). The GHFCU is a full-service credit union organized for service, not for profit. Once you've joined, your immediate family members are also eligible for membership, and even if you leave your volunteer work at Taping, your credit union membership goes on. The address of the GHFCU is 11821 East Freeway, Suite 515, Houston, Texas 77029. Their phone number is 713-455-6257.