Become a Virginia Voice Listener

Virginia Voice is a radio reading and information service that is available to qualified listeners. We broadcast over a subcarrier of WCVE-FM and are on the air 24 hours a day seven days a week. Each week we read from over 75 publications, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Our programming is available either through a pre-tuned radio which we loan at no charge, or on the internet using an internet-enabled device.

Who Qualifies for our Service

Anyone who has difficulty reading due to a vision impairment, or is physically unable to hold printed material qualifies for our service. Here are some examples of conditions that qualify an individual for our service:

  • Blind or Low Vision

  • Macular Degeneration

  • Diabetic Retinopathy

  • Retinitis Pigmentosa

  • Glaucoma

  • Cataracts

  • Cerebral Palsy

  • Muscular Dystrophy

  • Multiple Sclerosis

  • Parkinson’s Disease

  • Arthritis

  • Stroke

  • Dementia

  • Dyslexia or other reading disability

This is by no means an exhaustive list.

How to Apply for our Service

Qualified individuals can listen to our programming using a pretuned radio which we provide as a loan at no charge, or by using an internet-enabled device such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone. The radios are operable only in the Greater Richmond area (refer to the page that lists the counties, towns and Independent Cities within our broadcast area), generally a 35-40 mile radius of the WCVE-FM transmitting towers south of Richmond.

Radio Listeners

Qualified individuals within the Greater Richmond area that do not have internet service or are unable to use an internet-enabled device should apply for a Virginia Voice radio. Click on the Listen With a Radio button to open the application, which will generally be completed by someone other than the listener. When completing the application, please be as complete as possible. Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required. When finished, click the “Submit” button at the bottom of the form to Virginia Voice. Someone will contact you to follow up.

Listen with a radio

Online Listeners

Qualified individuals that have internet service and are able to use an internet-enabled device should apply to listen online, regardless of whether they are inside or outside of the Greater Richmond area. Click on the Listen Online button to open the application, which should be completed by the listener if possible. When completing the application, please be as complete as possible. Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required. When finished, click the “Submit” button at the bottom of the form to Virginia Voice. Someone will contact you to follow up.

Listen Online