Training program arms blind with radio DJ-ing skills

Indra Harsaputra ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Surabaya   |  Sun, 02/24/2008 2:12 PM  |  Discover

Blind people are no less gifted than their peers who have no physical disabilities, and with the opportunities provided through technological advancements, they can consider a career as radio presenters.

Rizky Nurilawati was one of about 15 enthusiastic participants at a radio DJ training program for the visually impaired, which was organized by the Institute for Blind People's Empowerment (LPT) and held from Jan. 28-30 at the Social Welfare Coordinating Office in Surabaya.

The event was held to mark World Braille Day, which falls annually on January 4.

"I'm fond of music, and radio has been my daily companion. It's my passion to serve as a radio presenter," said the 16-year-old, who was born sightless, told The Jakarta Post during a break in the training.

According to its organizers, the program aims at promoting the skills of visually impaired persons in Surabaya. While many with visual disabilities have obtained a university education, they have difficulty accessing jobs, mainly due to the minimum skills they command. In addition to the radio presenter program, LPT also provides journalism and telephone operator skills training.

"I've never despaired of realizing my dream. I'm doing vocal practices at home every day. I also train in singing and other skills while frequently following television and radio reports," added Rizky, now in the first year at SMA 10 state senior high school in Surabaya.

Rizky was exposed to the profession when, at the age of 8, she became a presenter at a children's radio station located in the Graha Pena, Surabaya. Her distinct voice made Rizky very familiar among its listeners, who were not aware of her physical disability.

"I was known as a teasing announcer and I enjoyed this reputation," she said.

Rizky felt fortunate to have worked with the station for two years. Her stint there emerged from a radio quiz show for listeners -- Rizky called in and won a visit to the station.

After a trial broadcasting session, the station decided to recruit her on a contract basis, and Rizky was given an opportunity to demonstrate her ability as a radio presenter: "Hello, how are you fellow kids? Welcome to Kid Mania. I'm Rizky, this time I'll be accompanying you all..."

Sadly, the station is now no longer on air for internal reasons, and Rizky's unique voice now has no way of reaching her fans. Despite her long absence as a radio DJ, Rizky's voice has not changed much from when she was a child.

Another keen trainee in the LPT's youth training program was 21 year-old Ariski Perdana, who eagerly peppered his instructor with questions. This sixth-semester student of the special education program at Surabaya State University hoped that he could share the broadcasting training he received with his future students, once he graduated as a special education teacher.

"I want my blind peers to be known not only as masseurs but also as capable radio presenters. Today, only a few of us have mastered broadcasting skills," he said.

Erol Jonathan, the operations director of Radio Suara Surabaya, a private radio station in the East Java capital, said no regulations that prohibited visually impaired people from working in broadcasting actually existed; the problem was that the supporting technology for such presenters was as yet unavailable at single-operator studios.

The single-operator system is widely applied by radio news stations, such as Radio Suara Surabaya, national broadcaster El Shinta and many others.

"However, visually impaired persons still have ample opportunity to work as announcers, particularly at community radio stations," said Erol.

The LPT program is thus a step in the right direction to urge equal opportunity for the visually impaired -- at least in Surabaya.

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