photo by: Contributed photo

The Audio-Reader program at the University of Kansas holds its annual benefit sale, For Your EARS Only, in this file photo from 2017.

Audio-Reader is asking for people to dust off their old vinyl LPs and other items to benefit a worthy cause.

The University of Kansas program, a reading and information service for blind, visually impaired, and print disabled individuals, is accepting donations of used records, CDs, gently used audio equipment and musical instruments throughout the summer. The items will be used for Audio-Reader’s annual benefit sale For Your EARS Only in September, which helps fund the program.

Donations in Lawrence can be dropped off at Audio-Reader’s headquarters at 1120 W. 11th St. on the KU campus, or to Sound Innovations at 1501 W. Sixth St.

Donations may also be made in Topeka at Home At Last, located in the Fairlawn Plaza Mall at 5331 SW 22nd Place. Beginning July 1, those in the Kansas City area may bring donations to KCUR during normal business hours, located at 4825 Troost, Suite 202, Kansas City, Mo.

Audio-Reader offers free audio broadcasts of news and other publications. Program volunteers read a variety of newspapers, books and publications over the radio and on the internet. It also offers a service where people can access automated newspaper readings via telephone.

Since the university began cutting funding to the program last year, with the plan to cut all institutional support by 2022, the program has become more reliant on funds raised through its annual sales and other fundraisers.

In 2018, the university was providing about $330,000 of support and the program raised an additional $260,000 through fundraisers, according to a previous Journal-World report.

“As our direct financial support from the University is being phased out, fundraisers, such as our annual benefit sale called ‘For Your EARS Only,’ become even more important to the vitality of our organization,” said Meredith Johanning, assistant development director for the program.