People with a visual disability have severely limited or no access to the visual world of print, arts and cultural performances and exhibits, and sports.
Since 1973, we have worked to use technology to provide equitable access regardless of disability.
Our Founders
MindsEye began when Fr. Boniface Wittenbrink, OMI, a priest in the Catholic order the Missionaries of Mary Immaculate, worked with Lions Clubs and other organizations to begin WMRY’s Talking Book. The region finally had a way to provide readings of newspapers and magazines to thousands of people with a visual disability. It was only the third reading service of its kind in the world.
Over the years, WMRY’s Talking Book had other names including Radio Information Service (RIS), MindsEye Information Service, and, eventually, MindsEye Radio.
Today, we continue to provide audio print material through the Broadcast Information Program.
Growth in the 2000s
After decades of service, we have built close relationships with individuals in the regional visual disability community. Certain initiatives emerged as important to this community: the sport of “beep baseball” or “BeepBall,” “audio description” or “descriptive audio,” and the need for equitable access to the region’s artistic and cultural offerings.
Through generous donors, including Lighthouse for the Blind-St. Louis and Ameren Illinois, we began working in these areas through: