IRIS-Iowa Radio Reading Information Service For The Blind And Print Handicapped, Inc.

IRIS delivers equal access to information for Iowans who cannot comfortably hold print material or use the words on the page because of blindness, visual or physical impairment or learning difference. 

IRIS reads newspapers aloud to more than 11,000 print disabled Iowans each day. Listeners tune in to IRIS on custom radios provided at no cost. They can also access the readings on the internet, our podcast page or any smart device. 

IRIS volunteers read 11 Iowa newspapers plus custom programs like Polk County Senior News and our coupon show MidWeek Shopping Cart. 

In addition to our 24/7 signal of news read aloud, trained IRIS volunteers provide live Audio Description at theaters and community events statewide. 

Every day of the year, volunteers come into the IRIS studios and read The Des Moines Register live on the radio. Volunteers also record other publications from our recording booths or their homes. The pandemic taught us how anyone can produce a decent audio file using just their smartphone or home computer. 

Our DM Register offers 2 live shifts each day - 9am to 10:30am and 10:30 to noon. We read the Register live 7 days a week.