Final
report on the project «Internet Radio for People with Visual Impairments»
I.
1st stage of the project «Internet Radio for People with Visual Impairments»
1. History
In Soviet times, people with
visual impairments was well provided for in terms of social security. The
Armenian Society of Blinds (ASB) had significant resources. There were
many shops where blind people could work and earn money. They were funded
by the ASB, which generated income through these activities of blind and visually
impaired people. The ASB was even able to finance the construction of
key health care facilities such as the Republican Ophthalmological Center.
Currently blind people receive
a small living allowance from the state and find it almost
impossible to get a job in either the public or the private sectors. The
private sector is the quickest to exclude blind applicants, often not even
considering their qualifications. But if society rejects the blind, we cannot
move forwards. The situation in the US and Europe, where the blind are given
the same opportunities as non-disabled people, should be our target.
When the USSR collapsed,
the entire system of ASB collapsed as well, because financial resources were
generated through cooperation between the Soviet Republics and the goods
produced by ASB companies were consumed and used outside Armenia. The ASB was
left with only one opportunity — to offer up its premises for rent.
Buildings thus either stood idle or were rented out and the overall situation
was very sad. The decline in production led to a reduction in jobs for the
blind, and a decline in social and cultural work as well.
In 2013, the Internet Society of
Armenia received a grant from International Internet Society to create an
Internet availability center for people with visual impairment in the Cultural
House of the ASB. In parallel, the Armenian Internet Society and administration
of the Culture House developed a concept of transformation of the Culture House
into a rehabilitation center for people with visual impairments. Three
main focus areas for rehabilitation were envisaged:
sporting-recreational, cultural and informational. The grant project was
successfully completed.
The opening ceremony of
the center took place in April 2013. At the end of May 2013, the center was
visited by the First Lady of Armenia Mrs. Rita Sargsyan. In September
2013, Mrs. Sargsyan invited the President of Armenians of the Russian
Federation Mr. Ara Abrahamyan to visit the center. He got acquainted with the
situation there and pledged to support the reconstruction and
modernization of the building into a contemporary rehabilitation centre.
While
the Internet Availability Center was in operation a group of visually
impaired people came forward with the idea of developing Internet Radio.
They
reported the idea to the ISOC Armenia, which wrote a grant proposal to the
Internet Society. Happily the application was approved and work began in
January 2016.
The list of electronic
equipment and materials for recording studio was developed. The materials was
very important as building's acoustic parameters were not corresponding to
audio recording.
2. Construction works and equipment setup
2.1. The works on remaking of the room into the recording studio started in mid
January 2016. The room has 30 sq. m.
space and it was decided to divide it into 20 sq.m. recording studio and 10
sq.m. contol room.
Correspondingly the room was divided into 2 parts by a gypsum
plasterboard with sound isolation. The walls and the ceiling was covered by styro-foam and a dense texture. The floor was covered by carpeting. A four-layered glass window of 60х160 cm size with isolation and a double door was
installed (Pic. 1) between
the studio and the control room.
Pic. 1
The part of work finished in the second half of the March 2016.
2.2. By that time the audio
recording electronic equipment was already purchased (Pic. 2 and 3).
Pic.2
Pic.3
The main part of broadcasts supposed the recording from one microphone by one
completely blind person (who needed a minimal equipment). Two working places
were created (Pic. 4 and 5) in the control room.
Pic.4
Pic.5
The computer for that channel (Pic. 5) was donated by ISOC AM.
As a result now there is a perfect recording studio providing a high
level audio recording, i.e. simultaneous 8 channel recording with
PreSonusOneSound device and the possibility of recording and livestream
broadcasting to the direct air (Pic. 1 - 5).
2.3. Fiber optic Internet connection cable was brought to the
building. A local network was set up, which included a router and 2 computers.
One of them was intended for Internet radio programs (RadioBoss and Icecast
programs) (Pic. 6), and the second - for web server (Pic. 7).
Pic.6
Pic.7
One computer was purchased and the second one as well as the
router were donated by ISOC AM.
II. 2ndst stage of the project «Internet
Radio for People with Visual Impairments»: Operation of the Internet radio
1.
The authors of the idea called the radio Radio MENQ (meaning ‘we’ in Armenian).
It is an internet radio station in Armenia made by blind and visually impaired
people mainly for listeners in their own and other disabled communities
Broadcasts cover everything from Paralympic sport and discussions of the
lives of Stevie Wonder and Louis Braille, through strategies for using public
transport, dealing with stress and depression as a disabled person and winning
big in games of chess.
Although
the radio station only began working earlier this year, efforts to empower
blind people in Armenia through use of the internet, chiefly through
initiatives assisted by the Internet Society, have been
going on for some time.
2. The group of authors the idea including Andranik Kocharyan,
Sipan Asatryan, Rudolf Zabrodin, Yuri Avetisyan and their followers started
working hard to develop the radio broadcast programs.
Andranik Kocharyan was responsible for «Sport and We» radio program series.
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Pic. 8 Andranik Kocharyan in the recording studio. |
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Pic.9,10 Rudolf Zabrodin is conducting an interview in the
recording studio. |
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Pic. 11 Rudolf Zabrodin is conducting an interview in the
recording studio. |
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He developed and recorded following programs:
1.
« Sport and We»
№01 ( Introduction to the history of the Paralympic Games)
2.
« Sport and We»
№02 (Who can participate in the Paralympic Games. Several Paralympic
sports)
3.
« Sport and We»
№03 (Paralympic sports, swimming, boccia and goalball)
4.
« Sport and We»
№04 (The guest of the program was Samvel Rostomyan, the President of the
Armenian National Disabled Sports Federation)
5.
« Sport and We»
№05 (The guest of the program was Rudolf Zabrodin)
6.
« Sport and We»
№06 (The guest of the program was Sipan Asatryan)
7. « Sport and We» №07 International and Armenia laws related to
disabled sports. The guest of the program was the Secretary of Armenian
Disabled Sports Federation, Mrs Varduhi Aramyan.
8. « Sport and We» №08 The guest of the program was Arthur
Tadevosyan, who was the champion of several swimming championships. Athlete's
motto is: "Believe in your strength, fight to the end and win."
9. « Sport and We» (№09)
- « Sport and We» (№10)
- « Sport and We» (№11)
Sipan Asatryan was
responsible for «You can» radio program series.
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Pic. 12, 13 Sipan Asatryan
is writing a program in the recording studio. |
He developed and recorded the following programs:
1.
« You can» №01
(The guest of the program was Alexander Zhuykov)
2.
« You can» №02
(Ray Charles)
3.
« You can» №03
(Louis Braille)
4.
« You can» №04
(Nikoghayos Tigranyan)
5.
« You can» №05
(Yerjanik Gevorgyan)
6.
« You can» №06
(Ashugh Havasi)
7.
« You can» №07
(Stevie Wonder part I)
8.
« You can» №08
(Stevie Wonder part II)
9.
« You can» №09
(Levon Karapetyan)
10.
« You can» №10
(Diana Gurtskaya)
11.
« You can» №11
(Program is dedicated to the deaf-blind scientist Alexander Suvorov)
12.
« You can» №12
(The guest of the program was Rudolf Zabrodin)
13. « You can» №13 (The guest of the program was chessmaster Yuri
Avetisyan, Director of the House of Culture of the Union of Blinds of Armenia)
14.
« You can» The guest
of the program was historian
Abraham Tsatouryan.
15.
« You can» (№15)
The guest of the program was Arsen Grigoryan, 11-year-old musician.
16.
« You can» (№16)
A program dedicated to the composer Simon Hovhannisyan.
17.
« You can» (№17)
The guest of the program was a musician Hovhannes Hovhannisyan.
18.
« You can» (№18)
The guest of the program was Gor Hambardzumyan, a10-year-old musician.
19.
« You can» (№19-1)
A program dedicated to the famous singer Andrea Bocelli, who enchanted the
world with his voice. (Part 1)
20.
« You can» (№19-2)
A program dedicated to the famous singer Andrea Bocelli, who enchanted the
world with his voice. (Part 2)
21.
« You can» (№19-3)
A program dedicated to the famous singer Andrea Bocelli, who enchanted the
world with his voice. (Part 3)
22.
« You can» (№19-4)
A program dedicated to the famous singer Andrea Bocelli, who enchanted the
world with his voice. (Part 4)
23.
« You can» (№19-5)
A program dedicated to the famous singer Andrea Bocelli, who enchanted the
world with his voice. (Part 5)
24.
« You can» (№21)
The guest of the program was Andranik Kocharyan.
25.
« You can» (№22)
A program devoted to the 85th anniversary of the famous blind scientist Albert
Mousheghyan.
26.
« You can» (№23)
The guest of the program was Artak Beglaryan.
Sipan Asatryan was
responsible for «Toward Independence» radio program series. He developed and recorded the following
programs:
1.
« Toward Independence»
№01 (What is self-dependence)
2.
« Toward Independence»
№02 (The role of vision in human life and the consequences of violation)
3.
« Toward Independence»
№03 (Loss of vision and its consequences (Professional discussion))
4.
« Toward Independence»
№04 (The value of hearing in one's life)
5.
« Toward Independence»
№05 (The role of auditory perception and its proper use in the life of
blinds)
6.
« Toward Independence»
№06 (White cane, Historical Overview)
7.
« Toward Independence»
№07 (White cane. Acquaintance with a cane, a professional discussion
about the white cane)
8.
« Toward Independence»
№08 (The use of the white cane (part 1))
9.
Toward Independence»
№08 (The use of the white cane (part 2))
10. « Toward Independence» (№10) (The use of the white cane (part 3))
11. « Toward Independence» (№11) Dance, independence as a contributing factor.
12. « Toward Independence» (№12) Blinds and public
transport (part 1)
13. « Toward Independence» (№13) Blinds and public transport (part 2)
14. « Toward Independence» (№14) Blinds and metro.
15. « Toward Independence» (№15) «Tiflotechnique" What facilities exist to support the
life of blinds and visually impaired. (Part 1)
16. « Toward Independence» (№16) « Tiflotechnique " What facilities exist to support the
life of blinds and visually impaired. (Part 2)
17. « Toward Independence» (№17) « Tiflotechnique " What facilities exist to support the
life of blinds and visually impaired. (A
discussion)
18. « Toward Independence» (№18) Further steps for blind parents, after the discovery of
child's visual problem. Tips for correct blind child-parent relationship.
19. « Toward Independence» (№19) Special Education is still at the beginning of the 20th
century. Opinions on the state and the full acceptance of persons with physical
problems today. The physical side of the problem and its compensation. How
important is a compensation on the way
to independence. (Part 1)
20. « Toward Independence» (№20) Special Education founded in the early 20th century. The
physical side of the problem and its compensation. How important is a
compensation on the way to independence. (Part 1)
21. « Toward Independence» (№21) How to care a blind or visually impaired during the first
year of a child's life. (Part 1)
22. « Toward Independence» (№22) How to care a blind or visually impaired during the first
year of a child's life. (Part II)
23. « Toward Independence» (№23) How to care a blind child on the second year of life. What
are the most important at this stage? How child's problems should be solved
with the help of parents.
24. « Toward Independence» (№24) How to care about the development of a blind child on the
second year of his life. (Part 2)
25. « Toward Independence» (№25) How to care about the development of a blind child on the
second year of his life. (Part 3)
26. « Toward Independence» (№26) How to care about the development of a blind child on the
second year of his life. (Part 4)
27.
« Toward Independence»
(№27) How to care
about the development of a blind child on the third year of his life. (Part 1)
28.
« Toward Independence»
(№28) How to care
about the development of a blind child on the third year of his life. (Part 2)
29.
« Toward Independence»
(№29) Accompanying
dogs. To what extent are these animals help parents:
Sipan Asatryan was
responsible for « Problem and solution » radio program series. He developed and
recorded the following programs:
1.
« Problem and
solution» №01 (What role can blind and visually impaired people play in
the society)
2.
« Problem and
solution» №02 (The family as a factor contributing to the blind and
visually impaired people finding their place in the society)
3.
« Problem and
solution» №03 (The role of education in the process of socialization of
blind and visually impaired people)
4.
« Problem and solution»
№04 (Why do the blind and visually impaired people take a passive
position in the society?)
5.
« Problem and
solution» №05 (The main problems of youth in Armenia)
6.
« Problem and
solution» №06
7.
« Problem and
solution» № 07 (A historian Abraham Tsaturyan presents actual problems
raised in his articles)
8.
« Problem and
solution» №08 (People with disabilities as part of civil society (part
II))
9. « Problem and solution»№09 Disabled persons,
marriage, unwritten social laws.
10. « Problem and solution»№10 Persons with disabilities
as part of civil society (Part 2)
11. « Problem and solution»№11 Labor market and a
person with a disability.
12. « Problem and solution»№12 persons with
disabilities as a group at risk of being trafficked. review existing laws.
13. « Problem and solution»2016 year achievements and
failures for people with disabilities.
14. « Problem and solution»№16 What are the
expectations №16 2017. What are the plans we team radio.
15. « Problem and solution»№17 film or other
artistic directions of the image of people with disabilities.
16.
« Problem and
solution»№18 people today to
communicate with persons with disabilities.
Rudolf Zabrodin is
responsible for «Psycology in life» radio program series. He developed and
recorded the following programs:
1.
« Psycology in life»
№01 (Who is a psychologist and how he can help you?)
2.
« Psycology in life»
№02 (Disability, perceptions, stereotypes)
3.
« Psycology in life»
№03 (What's a nogen thinking?)
4.
« Psycology in life»
№04 (What is psychosomatics)
5.
« Psycology in life»
№05 (How to use internal resources to achieve the goal)
6.
« Psycology in life»
№06 (Formation of social norms and their influence on the personality)
7.
« Psycology in life»
№07 (Discussion of a letter)
8.
« Psycology in life»
№08 (What are psychological barriers arising in the job search)
9. « Psycology in life» №09 (What is stress and how to become stress
resistant)
10. « Psycology in life» (№10-1) How to improve
self-esteem. (Part 1)
11.
« Psycology in life» (№10-2) How to improve
self-esteem. (Part 2)
12.
« Psycology in life» (№11) petulance. Why do people get offended.
13.
« Psycology in life» (№12-1) What is acquired helplessness and how to get rid of it.
(Part 1)
14.
« Psycology in life» (№12-2) What is acquired helplessness and how to get out of it.
(Part 2)
15.
« Psycology in life» (№13-1) Premarital relations. (Part 1)
16.
« Psycology in life» (№13-2) Premarital relations. (Part 2)
17.
« Psycology in life» (№14-1) Targeting. What is the difference between a dream and a
goal. To formulate objectives. (Part 1)
18.
« Psycology in life» (№14-2) Targeting. What is the difference between a dream and a
goal. To formulate objectives. (Part 2)
19.
« Psycology in life» (№15) The communication of confidential
20.
« Psycology in life» (№16) How to respond to criticism.
21.
« Psycology in life» (№17) to overcome the difficulties of life.
22.
« Psycology in life» (№18-1) parent-child relationship. How parents treat their
children with disabilities. (Part 1)
23.
« Psycology in life» (№18-2) parent-child relationship. How parents treat their
children with disabilities. (Part 2)
24.
« Psycology in life» (№19-1) Winners psychology. How to win: (Part 1)
25.
« Psycology in life» (№19-2) Winners psychology. How to win: (Part 2)
26. «
Psycology in life»
(№20) beliefs and attitudes of Life հոգեբանություն:
27.
« Psycology in life» (№21) How to communicate effectively.
Rudolf Zabrodin was
responsible for « My universities » radio program series. He developed and
recorded the following programs:
1.
« My universities»
№01 (The guest of the program was a Jurist, masseur Andranik Qocharyan)
2.
« My universities»
№02 (The guest of the program was
a student of Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory Hakob Babayan)
3.
« My universities»
№03 (The guest of the program was a Philologist, Tiflopedagog, Armenian
diaspora specialist Sipan Asatryan)
4.
« My universities»
№04 (The guest of the program was
a pianist Levon Karapetyan)
5.
« My universities»
№05 (The guest of the program was
a student at Yerevan State Pedagogical University after Khachatur
Abovyan NareAlaverdyan)
6.
«My universities»
№06 (The guest of the program was Arev Melkonyan)
7.
« My universities»
№07 (The guest of the program was a classical singer Alexander Zhuykov)
8. « My universities» №08 (The guest of the program was a lawyer,
masseur, PC instructor Giorgi Grigorian)
9. « My universities» №09
The guest of the program was t violinist Lusine Harutyunyan (part 1).
10. « My universities» №10
The guest of the program was violinist Lusine Harutyunyan (part 2).
11. « My universities» №11
The guest of the program was Lusine Sargsyan and Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, Master.
12. « My universities» №12
The guest of the program was network specialist Vahan Sahakyan.
13. « My universities» №13
The guest of the program was Tigranuhi said.
14. « My universities» №14
What is inclusive education. Guest psychologist, expert Sofia Hovsepyan
inclusive education.
15. « My universities» №15
The guest of the program was Artak Davtyan.
16.
« My universities» №16 The guest of the
program was singer V.
Manukyan.
17.
« My universities» №17 The guest of the
program was the European
Regional Educational Academy student Rafael Asiryan.
Rudolf Zabrodin is
responsible for « News» radio program series. He developed and recorded the
following programs:
1.
News №01
2.
News №02
3.
News №03
4.
News №04
5.
News №05
6.
News №06
7.
News №07
8.
News №08
9.
News №09
10.
News №10
11.
News №11
12.
News №12
13.
News №13
14.
News №14
15.
News №15
Rudolf Zabrodin was
responsible for « Program for children » radio program series. He developed and
recorded the following programs:
1.
Antoine de
Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince part 1
2.
Antoine de
Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince part 2
3.
Antoine de
Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince part 3
4.
Antoine de
Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince part 4
5.
Antoine de
Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince part 5
6.
Antoine de
Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince part 6
7.
Antoine de
Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince part 7
Grimm Brothers' fairytales
1. "The Frog King or Iron
Heinrich"
2. "Successful trade."
3. "An amazing musician."
4. "Mrs. snowstorm moaning"
5. "Seven Crow"
6. "son dishonest"
7. "Celestial talerner"
8. "omniscient doctor."
9. "Spirit in a Bottle."
10. "Hansel and Gretel"
11. "three leaves of a
serpent."
12. "Cinderella"
Hans Christian Andersen fairytales
1. "The girl and the matches."
2. "Silver Coin"
3. "The Princess and the Pea."
4. "The Butterfly"
5. "seashell and rose bush."
6. "Burdock luck."
7. "Bride and Groom"
8. "fuze"
9. "Thumbelina"
10. "The gardener and his
owners"
11. "Wild Swans" (Part 1)
12. "Wild Swans" (Part 2)
13. "Mermaid"
14. "Spruce Tree"
15. "The Ugly Duckling"
16. "Nightingale"
17. "Story of the Year"
R.J. Palacio "miracle"
1. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 1)
2. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 2)
3. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 3)
4. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 4)
5. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 5)
6. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 6)
7. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 7)
8. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 8)
9. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 9)
10. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 10)
11. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 11)
12. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 12)
13. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 13)
14. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 14)
15. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 15)
16. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 16)
17. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 17)
18. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 18)
19. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 19)
20. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 20)
21. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 21)
22. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 22)
23. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 23)
24. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 24)
25. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 25)
26. R.J. Palacio "miracle"
(Part 26)
Yuri Avetisyan was responsible for «Learn to play chess» radio program series.
He developed and recorded the following programs:
1.
« Learn to play chess»
(Introduction)
2.
« Learn to play chess»
(Lesson 1)
3.
« Learn to play chess»
(Lesson 2)
4.
« Learn to play chess»
(Lesson 3)
5.
« Learn to play chess»
(Lesson 4)
6.
« Learn to play chess»
(Lesson 5)
7.
« Learn to play chess»
(Lesson 6)
8.
« Learn to play chess»
(Lesson 7)
9.
« Learn to play chess»
(Lesson 8)
10.
« Learn to play chess»
(Lesson 9)
11.
« Learn to play chess»
(Lesson 10)
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 11
- « Learn to play
chess» Lesson 12
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 13
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 14
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 15
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 16
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 17
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 18
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 19
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 20
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 21
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 22
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 23
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 24
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 25
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 26
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 27
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 28
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 29
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 30
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 31
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 32
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 33
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 34
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 35
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 36
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 37
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 38
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 39
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 40
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 41
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 42
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 43
- « Learn to play chess» Lesson 44
- «
Learn to play chess» Lesson 45
Disaster risk reduction issues, №01
1. "Emergency
situations". Natural disasters. The guest of the program was Zaruhi Tonoyan.
All programs were
broadcasted, some of them repeatedly.
3.
The experience gained during the operation of the Internet radio demonstrated
that the Internet can serve as a point for startups for blind journalists,
translators, programmers, psychologists, lawyers and freelancers in other
professions. The Internet opens up new horizons for the blind and allows them
to be full members of society. Today the labor market imposes greater demands
on blind people, which is correct to some extent, as they must be
able to work on a par with others.
Blind
people must believe in their own strength and abilities. After Radio MENQ
went on air, many have started to want to try themselves out in radio
either as a program presenter or a sound technician. Internet radio is
becoming a path to new horizons and opportunities for blind people. Often there
is a stereotype that the blind person can’t work on an equal footing. Internet
work, whether in a freelance capacity or as part of a team, allows you to
break down these stereotypes. The internet enables people to be who they
choose, to develop for themselves, and as a part of their community.
4.
More than 45 people have been invited as guests [on the radio] —
a substantial number of whom had disabilities — including experts and
scientists. The related blog receives up
to 2,500 visits monthly. Currently Radio MENQ is hoping to develop an
application for phones and tablets that will boost the average daily number of
listeners from 10 to 60.
Most
important, however, is the work experience blind and visually impaired people
have earned through the project. Among a number of examples, one blind man
came asking to help him work as a sound engineer.
He
was trained and following training sessions he was fulfilling that role for the
station. Many parents of children with disabilities, and students from various
universities call Radio MENQ team, noting the importance of the radio in their
lives, and especially “Psychology in life”, “You Can” and
“Toward Independence” programs.
The
blind community has reacted very positively to the fact that many
blind scientists and artists are featured on the programs. And also, there
is the opportunity for Radio MENQ workers to get experience from more
famous radio stations like “Radio Van”and “National Radio” which have
agreed to provide master classes for staff.
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Pic. 14, 15 Meeting of the group with the head of musical programs of the
Armenian Public Radio, Mrs. Alisa Kalantaryan. |
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5.
The archive of all broadcasts was created letting to listen to any broadcast
that was on the air. It is very important that all developed programs are in the
archive and can be accessed any time. The link to the archive is http://www.radio-menq.am/ir/archive
.
6. Totally about 200 radio programs were recorded and broadcasted in 2016. The
main purpose of those programs was to raise questions concerning disabled
people, and promote their self-reliance and empowerment. To achieve these goals
the team of the Internet radio didn't limit itself to radio broadcasts only,
but also organized workshops - seminars for orientation and the use of white
canes by blind people. Internet radio has become a beacon of light, giving a
hope to young blind people.
One very inspiring individual story was that of
Levon Karapetyan, a blind pianist who moved around with helpers. He managed to
apply for a study period in France and study there. Listening to Radio MENQ's
“Toward Independence” broadcast in France he was very interested in some of the
tools for self-development mentioned on the program. When he came back to Armenia
he visited the Culture House and asked the team to teach him how to use
the white cane among other things. He received mobility training and a lot
of things changed in his life. Radio MENQ team is going to prepare a special
program devoted to his experience some time in the near future.
Another
story involved a young man who has no hands. After listening to the program
“Psychology in Life” he became more able to deal with the psychological
difficulties connected to his disability. He became socially active and
free of complexes. It permitted him to communicate with people more openly. He
started to look for a charity program that could provide him a job and found
one in Germany.
Our
listeners often tell the team, “When I feel bad, I listen to your radio,
and I get an incentive to overcome my difficulties”, or simply, “You are doing
the right thing”.
7. Computer
rooms and instructors have helped many blind and visually impaired to learn
basic knowledge and skills of working on computers. Each month there were shows
of movies with tiflo-comments. Internet radio team organized several shows with
tiflo-comments. Participants were impressed by this opportunity to taste the
essence of films. Many wondered how a blind person can watch movies. After
watching the movies there were discussions. It positively affected the blinds,
because they can sense the art, as well as feel the usefulness of the audience.
It generally produces a positive attitude towards people with visual
impairment.
8. The project opened new horizons and opportunities for the blinds. Among
other benefits of the project was the jobs provided for young people with
disabilities, as well as new opportunities for self-realization for the blinds.
Good examples of it were Sipan Asatryan,
Rudolf Zabrodin, Andranik Kocharyan, Vahan Sahakyan, Arev Gevorgyan, Levon
Karapetyan and other young people who took part in the project and realized
their potential.
Having earned a good experience the team Internet radio plans for 2017:
• expand the Internet radio audience
• raise problems of not only disabled people but the youth also.
• attract youth as volunteers
• create social podcasts
• record Armenian audio books
• show about 12 movies with tiflo-comments with further discussions
• carry about 10 master classes on training on the use of white canes, sport
life - showdown
• organize flash mobs
• conduct 10 training seminars for youth