A Potted History of "PRINT RADIO TASMANIA"

The Radio for the Print Handicapped movement was established in Australia in the mid 1970's, and was many years in the planning stages before it went to air. Developed by print handicapped people, it was seen by its founders as vital in providing print handicapped people with the same access to information as any other group in the community. 

In July 1978 the then Minister in charge of communications, Tony Staley, granted Licences around Australia for the provision of RPH Services. 

With assistance from State and Federal Governments, the Station 7RPH was established. The State Government also provided a Transmitter Site on Mount Nelson. On Saturday 26th June 1982 7RPH commenced daily programming from 73 Montague Street, New Town, and was the first RPH Radio Station anywhere in Australia to do so. 
In Southern Tasmania 7RPH was heard on the AM Frequency of 1620.

In 1991, with Government assistance and a new licence, 7RPH moved their Frequency to 864AM and to their present building at 136 Davey Street. It has now been fitted out with four studios and provides an area for volunteers as well as an administrative office.
A new Transmitter was built at Rushy Lagoon, Sandford and 7RPH was able to provide an improved service to a wider audience.
The service areas covered are the municipalities of Brighton, Bruny, Clarence, Glenorchy, Green Ponds, Hobart, Huon, Kingborough, Port Cygnet, Richmond, Glamorgan/Spring Bay and Tasman. 

In December 2003, the Station commenced transmissions via a Translator Service to Launceston, the Tamar Valley and surrounding townships on a frequency of 106.9FM.

The Association established to operate 7RPH was called Broadcast Services for the Handicapped Incorporated,
which was changed at the Annual General Meeting of 2004 to RPH PRINT RADIO TASMANIA INCORPORATED,
reflecting the Station's wider broadcast area in the State.

Print Radio Tasmania (PRT) is "on air" continuously, commencing local programming at 8:30am and concluding at 10pm each day Monday to Saturday. RPH Melbourne provide Book Readings at 10pm and 10.30pm delivered by our satellite link. Then, also via satellite, the BBC World Service overnight. On Sundays, PRT material is broadcast from 9:00am - 9.00pm, with BBC overnight. 

Listeners are provided with Tasmanian Newspaper readings 7 days a week, with the Examiner/Advocate Newspapers 10 -11.30am Mon - Fri., the Mercury Newspaper 10 - 11.30am Mon - Fri., Editorials & Letters to the Editor from both papers 11am - noon. Saturday & Sunday the Mercury is heard from 10 - 11am. The Examiner is heard from 11am - noon with Editorials and Letters from noon - 12.30pm.

PRT is a reading and information service, Turning Print into Sound for those persons unable to access print easily. A program exchange between RPH stations has been in place for some years enabling PRT to maintain an extensive magazine reading service.
With satellite accessibility, we now share programs with RPH and Community Broadcasting Stations throughout Australia. 

Print Radio Tasmania Inc., has an eight person elected Committee of Management.
Permanent staff consists of Station Manager, Vaughn Bennison, with Assistant Manager Melvin Lee.

PRT has approximately 90 volunteer Readers and Presenters and has become an integral part of the daily lives of the print handicapped community. Our aim is to give listeners equal access to printed information, which keeps them in touch with community events and information, enabling them to be more actively involved with their areas of interest. 

The Print Disabled: Who are they? Where are they?

These are the people who, because of a physical and/or intellectual disability,cannot adequately access the printed word.
 
 
The most obvious are the vision impaired,
but the less obvious are those with:
A learning disability or difficulty in comprehending print,
A physical disability - permanent or temporary,
Language - where English is not first language.

The print disabled, perhaps more than any other group in the community, use the electronic media as their access to information - being the only avenue completely accessible to them.
As mainstream radio and television is not devoted to covering material from newspapers, books and magazines, this is where the RPH Radio Service has become the vital link.

What is Print Radio Tasmania?

Print Radio Tasmania is a disability service that just happens to use radio to deliver its product to the widest possible audience. 

How Do You Find It?

Print Radio Tasmania is located in Southern Tasmania on the AM band at 864 KHz
and in Northern Tasmania on the FM band at 106.9 MHz
and in the Devonport area on 96.1MHz 

A Little Information about Music on RPH

Music is used only as a 'bridge' to break up concentrated blocks of reading - not purely for its own entertainment value.
There is a wide variety of other radio stations offering music formats, but only one providing a Reading Service.

More Information?

Half-Yearly Program Guides are available:
in Large Print,
and on CD (other formats, please call us)
Also please view the link for Programs on our website.

Just call us and we will include you on our mailing list.


Please contact the Station during business hours (8am - 4pm)
Tel: (03) 6224 1864
Fax: (03) 6224 1786
e-mail: 7rph@tassie.net.au