Maine Audio Information and Reading Service

The mission of The Iris Network is to empower persons who are blind or visually impaired to attain their self-determined level of independence and integration into the community; to provide rehabilitation, training, education and other related services for individuals, their families, and other support systems; and to be a resource regarding issues related to blindness and visual impairment within the state of Maine.

Description:
The Iris Network's headquarters are in Portland and has outreach offices around the state.
In addition to Maine AIRS, the agency has vision rehabilitation services, low vision, residence and Maine AIRS. Volunteer readers prepare and present community local news and features from the state's daily and weekly newspapers and other publications from studios in Brewer and Portland, Maine. Maine AIRS broadcasts via the subsidiary channel audio (SCA)of the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. Our programs reach listeners via SCA receivers and on the agency's website (www.theiris.org).
Our programs are also carried on Houlton's Polaris Cable System, Brunswick's TV3 and the Town of Lamoine's cable channel 7 TV. The Iris Network furnishes SCA receivers to individuals who are visually impaired or blind.

For more information, call 1-800-715-0097.

Here is your chance to raise your voice for persons who are blind or visually impaired.

History:
The Iris Network started the Maine Center for the Blind in 1905 in Portland. It operated a residence for blind individuals and had an industries program that produced such items as brooms and other products that were sold to support the program.

Through the years the agency added programs that began to address issues such as orientation and mobility, basic skills to ensure safety in the home and on the street. The agency's services include Vision Rehabilitation, Low Vision and Residence (The Iris Park Apartments opened in 2006).

Maine AIRS signed on in April 2000 and was the first radio reading service in the state.

Contact people:

Les Myers, Director, (phone), (email) Patricia Annino, Program Assistant, (phone) Les Myers, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (207) 989-3712

Address:

12 Acme Road, Suite 104 Brewer, ME 04412 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.theiris.org

Directions:

From Bangor, cross the Chamberlain bridge into Brewer. Go straight through the intersection (Rite Aid pharmacy is on the right). You're on Wilson Street. At the next traffic light, turn right. Brewer Auditorium is on the left. You're on Acme. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: Hannaford Brothers, Wilson Street, 15 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Will you take volunteers that must do court ordered community service?
	No
Will you take youth volunteers that are 11-15 years old?
	No
Will you take youth volunteers 16-18 years old?
	Yes

Last updated on November 6, 2009