So You Want To Volunteer?

Our volunteers are the life force of our organization! With just one paid staff position the Readings for the Blind team is made up of more than 30 dedicated, hard working individuals; many of whom have volunteered for RFTB for 10, 20 and even 30 years.

All volunteers (readers and office help) must be over the age of 21, and live close enough to our office in Southfield, Michigan to attend trainings and/or come in to the office on a weekly basis.

Volunteer - Reader: Requirements include being able to record at least 4 hours per week in a quiet location, usually the reader's home. New readers must be able to attend multiple initial training sessions in our office in Southfield, Michigan, as well as, be available for ongoing software and/or computer updates as needed. Readers must possess basic computer skills and be detail oriented. All readers will audition to see that they have a pleasant, clear, strong speaking voice when recording. Since Readings for the Blind provides a wide variety of materials to clients, our readers must have a willingness to record all types of subject matter, including educational, religious and/or political materials that may have viewpoints conflicting with your own. Recording is generally completed on equipment loaned out from our organization.

Volunteer - Office: Requirements include a willingness to devote time each week, to assisting with the necessary day-to-day tasks of running the organization. Weekly office hours are Monday through Wednesday, 9am until 3pm. Volunteers might be trained/asked to assist with creating labels for our CD and tape recordings using labeling software, creating library cards, database entry and/or work on other assorted computer tasks. As such, a basic level of computer literacy and typing skills are needed for our office helpers. Office volunteers might also assist with the duplication of all newly recorded material from the masters submitted by our volunteer readers, using high speed cassette and CD duplicators. Other daily tasks may include filing, cleaning, answering phones, stuffing envelopes, copying forms, and/or any other work needing attention.