Help & Support

🎧 How to Use the Listening Room

The Listening Room provides access to all our audio content organized by category:

  1. Browse Categories: Scroll through different sections like Local News, Sports, Culture, etc.
  2. Play Individual Recordings: Click the "Play" button next to any recording title
  3. Play Full Edition: Click "Play Full Edition" at the top to listen to the complete newspaper
  4. Audio Controls: Use pause, play, and volume controls in the audio player

🎤 Alexa Voice Access

Listen to our talking newspaper hands-free using Amazon Alexa:

Getting Started

  1. Enable the "Hambleton Talking Newspaper" skill in the Alexa app
  2. Say: "Alexa, open Hambleton Talking Newspaper"
  3. Alexa will announce and play each recording automatically

Voice Commands

  • "Alexa, open Hambleton Talking Newspaper" - Start listening
  • "Alexa, next" - Skip to the next story
  • "Alexa, pause" - Pause playback
  • "Alexa, resume" - Continue playing
  • "Alexa, stop" - Stop and exit

Privacy

Our Alexa skill does not collect any personal data. For full details, see our Privacy Policy.

📚 Archives

Access past editions of the talking newspaper:

  • Click on month names to expand/collapse sections
  • Each edition shows publication date, archive date, and number of recordings
  • Click "Play Edition" to listen to complete past editions

♿ Accessibility Features

Our website includes several accessibility features:

  • Read Page: Click the blue "Read Page" button at the top to have the page content read aloud
  • High Contrast: Switch to high contrast mode for better visibility
  • Large Text: Increase text size for easier reading
  • Keyboard Navigation: All features are accessible via keyboard (Tab, Enter, Space)
  • Screen Reader Compatible: All content is optimized for screen readers

📖 Registration

To become a listener and receive our talking newspaper:

  1. Visit the Register page
  2. Fill in your contact details and preferences
  3. Choose your preferred delivery method (USB stick, online access, etc.)
  4. Submit the form and we'll be in touch

🎙️ Reader Access

If you're a volunteer reader:

  • Visit the Reader Access page
  • Log in with your credentials
  • Upload recordings through the Reader Panel
  • View your submission history

🤝 Volunteering

Interested in becoming a volunteer reader?

  • Visit our Volunteer page
  • Learn about different volunteer roles
  • Fill in the volunteer application form
  • We'll provide training and support

💬 Need More Help?

If you can't find what you're looking for:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the service free?
A: Yes, the Hambleton Talking Newspaper is a free service for blind and visually impaired residents.

Q: How often are new editions published?
A: We publish new editions regularly. Check the Listening Room for the latest content.

Q: Can I refer someone who might benefit from this service?
A: Absolutely! Visit our Refer Someone page.