About CRIS Radio
The Connecticut Radio Information System, Inc. (CRIS) is "Connecticut's talking newsstand for the blind and print-handicapped." CRIS is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization providing news and information featured in daily newspapers and current magazines to people who have visual, learning, mental health or physical disabilities. CRIS programs keep people informed about the world, the nation, Connecticut, and their local communities, and has proven to be a vital resource for individuals who are unable to access printed material.
In addition to accessing general news featured in newspapers, CRIS listeners also learn about products featured in supermarket and department store ads, upcoming events, local obituaries, and the latest in sports and business news.
CRIS programs also include information about assistive technology and other products that help improve accessibility, readings from best-selling books and short stories, and a variety of articles featured in nearly 30 magazines.
Several talk and interview programs also are produced at CRIS Radio. They include: "Focal Point," featuring issues concerning the blind, handicapped and elderly community; "For Your Protection," featuring important information on how individuals with disabilities should prepare for emergency situations; and the "Commissioner's Corner," featuring medical issues with Dr. Norma Gyle, deputy commissioner of the state Department of Public Health.
CRIS operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Programs originate from our broadcast center in Windsor, as well as from our regional satellite studios in Danbury, Norwich, Trumbull, and West Haven. Programs can be heard on pre-tuned radios (provided free), cable systems, the telephone, and online.
'As we at CRIS Radio celebrate our past 30 years, we also look to our future on how to best meet the needs of our next generation of CRIS listeners.' - Bill Austin, CRIS Chair
CRIS employs a staff of two full-time and three part-time people. We rely on nearly 400 volunteers statewide to help with the production, programming and the day-to-day operations of CRIS. Volunteers script, read, and operate the control board for daily broadcasts. Our volunteers also help with office work, bookkeeping, marketing, radio distribution, serving on our Board of Directors, and representing CRIS as speakers at various civic organizations.
CRIS receives financial support from a variety of resources including private foundations, businesses and corporations, Lions Clubs and other civic organizations, individual donations, the state Board of Education and Services for the Blind, and fund-raising events including our annual CRIS Radio Classic Golf Tournament and an upcoming Dining and Dancing in the Dark, scheduled for 2011. More than 80 percent of our income goes directly to program services
Mission And Goals
As Connecticut’s talking newsstand for the blind and print-handicapped, it
is the mission of CRIS Radio to provide the highest quality, electronic reading
service in the state.
CRIS helps enhance the quality of life of its listeners by providing access
to the same printed news and information that their family, friends, and
colleagues enjoy.
It is our current goal to become a national model for other radio-reading services.
Population Served
CRIS listeners are individuals who, because of a visual, physical, mental, or learning disability, are unable to read printed material or turn pages of a publication. This may be due to vision impairment resulting from diabetes, cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma or other disabilities, such as Arthritis, Dyslexia, Parkinson’s, ALS or Cerebral Palsy.
Approximately 80 percent of CRIS listeners are 50 years and older, most of whom are
legally blind.
CRIS does not discriminate and provides access to its service without regard to
sex, race, age, ethnic background, religion, degree of disability, or financial status.
All that is required to receive CRIS programs is the submission of a brief application for service. The application must be signed by a doctor, case worker or health care professional stating the need for this service.
How Can CRIS BE Heard?
A pre-tuned CRIS radio
Cable television
Telephone Reader
CRIS Radio’s Web site: Listen Live.
CRIS Radio’s Web site: Listen On-Demand
CRIS Radio Broadcast Locations
Main office and CRIS Broadcast Center
Connecticut Radio Information System, Inc.
315 Windsor Ave.
Windsor, CT 06095
(860) 527-8000
CRIS Regional Satellite Studios
Danbury Lions Club Trumbull High School
198 Main St. 72 Strobel Road
Danbury, CT Trumbull, CT
(203) 778-2000
(203) 268-2758
Disabilities Network of Eastern CT University of New Haven
238 West Town St.
300 Orange Ave.
Norwich, CT West Haven, CT
(860) 204-0165
(203) 937-5900