SIRIS Volunteer Profile - Dan Hill

Meet Carbondale local and volunteer reader, Dan Hill. Hill volunteered with a service similar to SIRIS at the University of Virginia where he would read local news for broadcast. "I liked doing that, so when I found out I had a chance to be a reader at SIRIS, I was pretty eager to get back into it," Hill says.
Hill feels that SIRIS's services are a valuable resource to those who are visually impaired and thinks it's great that they have an opportunity to hear local news.
"There are a lot of things that aren't going to be broadcast on local TV or radio, a lot of smaller articles and things that are only going to be found in local newspapers and there's no other way for people to get that information," Hill says. "You're never going to see obituaries on the TV or radio, but that's something I always make time to read. Just hearing another voice fills the house with something other than just TV noise. It's a little more natural with local voices that kind of have something in common with you."
Another benefit of SIRIS Hill cites is that it shows people with disabilities that they are valued members of the community. "We provide a service and special radios. These resources offer encouragement to people who have some struggles," Hill says.
"I tell everyone I know about SIRIS. I let everyone know that this is a fun thing to do," he says. "It's not as intimidating as public speaking because you're in a little room by yourself and you can hit 'pause' anytime you want to catch your breath." You can feel pretty good about helping people out."
Hill also volunteers with The Stage Company in Carbondale.