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In Focus: Community Growth Radio serves the visually impaired

Volunteers read news, information briefings, books, magazines, and other items over the radio "for the blind, or those who physically cannot hold a book or print."

CLARK COUNTY, Wash — Jerry Gaule's Community Growth Radio (CGR) network is not a fancy operation. He runs two stations over the internet from a crowded home office. Gaule's CGR station provides radio reading services 24 hours a day.

Volunteers read news, information briefings, books, magazines, and other items over the radio "for the blind, or those who physically cannot hold a book or print," Gaule said.

It's a radio station for an audience that can't read for itself. Of course, anyone is welcome to listen. You might like the old-time radio shows, playing overnight. Jerry does. He's always loved radio.

"I was 6 years old. I was visiting my brother in California at some fair and they had this guy spin records and talk in the microphone and I was just mesmerized. I don't know why but I just wanted to do it," Gaule said.

So he did, building a career in radio over the years, with all the highs and lows.

Now he's running his own show. Which includes a second channel focused on agriculture.

Through his patchwork of gear, Gaule is reaching out to specific audiences. And especially for those blind or visually impaired, or with some other disability that makes reading impossible, Jerry hopes they're listening.

"If you know someone who would enjoy listening to an old-time radio show or a book or magazine I'm there. That's basically it," Gaule said. "That's my intention. If I can bring something good and worthwhile to the community somehow or some way, I'm happy with that."

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