By SUSAN COLTRI
Almost all students are overwhelmed by the enormous reading load required in college classes. For students with visual or other impairments, it can be especially difficult and many need assistance to keep up with assigned readings outside of the classroom.
The Volunteer Reading Program, run by Services for Students with Disabilities, records textbooks and other required readings on tape for these students.
Students who are visually impaired can have double vision, retina clouding, cataracts or they can be blind.
The program also assists other students who have chronic fatigue syndrome or who have a learning disability, such as dyslexia.
'The program is not open to anyone,' said Sherrie Ford, advisor for the visually impaired. 'You have to have a legitimate, documented disability.'
Ford said students who need assistance turn in required readings for classes they intend to take a semester in advance. Then student volunteers record themselves reading the books onto tape.
The tapes can be checked out for up to a semester in the Learning Resource Center in the Harold B. Lee Library, said Carl Wilkins, VRP supervisor.
The books are recorded on four-sided tapes that must be played on special players, said Mary Wilde, a VRP supervisor.
'Before we record books, we look to other places where tapes are available like the state library,' Wilde said. 'We don't want to duplicate work that has already been done.'
In November 1995, the VRP won a second-place Golden Key award from the National Association for Campus Activities for the new educational program.
Corey Butcher, a junior from Provo, majoring in English, has used the VRP for two years.
'It's been more helpful in some classes than others,' he said. 'It's more helpful for English classes than biology. Sometimes the professor doesn't make us read enough to warrant having the whole book read onto tape.'
The books are read by four paid readers and 40-50 volunteers. Most volunteers spend an average of one hour reading every couple of weeks, Wilkins said.
'The readers go through a rigorous training program,' Ford said. 'We're working toward a professional product.'
'The reading can go pretty fast,' Wilkins said. 'A 200 page English book could be done in two to three days.'
The VRP program is always looking for more volunteers, Ford said.
'We are especially looking for readers with technical backgrounds like physics, biology and calculus,' Wilde said. 'Our goal is to have every hour scheduled.'
'It's a great opportunity for busy students,' Wilde said. 'They can choose their own hours. It's very flexible.'
'Without the volunteers, we couldn't get the bulk of the work done,' Wilkins said.
'It helps me feel good that I'm helping other people get a college education,' Wilkins said. 'These tapes are for posterity's sake. You never know how long they'll be at the LRC or how many people they'll help.'
'School shouldn't be so competition-based,' Wilde said. 'We should help each other learn.'
Students who wish to take advantage of the VRP program, or who would like to volunteer should contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 378-2767.