010 How Vocal Point Increases Media Access with Brittany McLemore

The Power of Connection: Human-Centered Media for the Print Impaired Community with Dr. Brittany McLemore

In this heartfelt and illuminating episode, host Matthew Reeves, a legally blind psychotherapist, welcomes Dr. Brittany McLemore, the Executive Director of Vocal Point (formerly the Georgia Radio Reading Service). This conversation explores the incredible 45-year history of this essential, free service, which has evolved from a local radio broadcast to a 24/7 global digital hub for news, books, magazines, and original content for the blind, low vision, and print-impaired community.

Dr. McLemore shares the inspiring origin story of Vocal Point, founded in 1980 by a World War II veteran and former newspaper executive who lost his sight in his early thirties and recognized the profound lack of accessible media . Discover how Vocal Point is breaking stigmas about vision loss, intentionally reaching younger demographics, and moving beyond the passive "broadcast model" to actively build a genuine, bi-directional community with its listeners.

You'll learn about Vocal Point's commitment to using human voice over AI—creating a crucial sense of familiarity and connection for listeners who often feel isolated. As a clinician, Matthew deeply connects with Dr. McLemore's social work background and her systemic approach to service, bridging top-down organizational strategy with grassroots community needs. They discuss the "dangerous" reality of providing services that don't meet an authentic need, and the importance of recognizing the full humanity of every listener.

Dr. McLemore shares a deeply personal, surprising moment from her first week in the role—an experience that profoundly changed her lens and worldview, moving her away from an unintentional "superiority" mindset and toward radical empathy and intentional training for her team. This story is a powerful reflection on personal growth, humility, and the choice we all have to challenge our own biases.

Listen to find out how to access Vocal Point's free, 24/7 service and its on-demand program library, and learn about their vision for upcoming community-building initiatives, including in-person book clubs and a mentorship program.

Topics covered: History of Vocal Point (formerly Georgia Radio Reading Service), free accessible media service, blind/low vision/print-impaired community, radio broadcast to digital platform, Amazon Echo Dot access, on-demand listening (cvp.org), human voice vs. AI narration, volunteer readers, community building, diverse programming, newspapers, magazines, books, career corner, service programs (Capital View, Research Watch), breaking vision loss stigma, systemic and grassroots service approach, personal growth and internal biases, full humanity of listeners.

Visit Vocal Point: www.seevp.org

ABOUT THE PODCAST

inSight Out is your podcast home for living well with vision loss. Host Matthew Reeves (LPC CRC NCC) is a legally-blind psychotherapist and rehabilitation counselor specializing in helping people thrive while living with disability. Matthew is licensed in Georgia and is a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor.

Please be sure to subscribe to catch every episode. And remember to share the show with others in the blind and low-vision community!

CONNECT WITH US

Podcast Home: https://insightoutpod.com

Talk to Us: https://speakpipe.com/insightoutpod

Email: mailto:insightoutpod@integralmhs.com

Watch on YouTube (with transcripts): youtube.com/@insightoutpod

Feed: https://www.insightoutpod.com/feed.xml

Reddit Community: https://www.reddit.com/r/inSightOut/

Social Media Handle: @insightoutpod

 

©Integral Mental Health Services, LLC