History
Who We Are
The Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc. (MWE) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization incorporated under the laws of the state of Maryland. MWE provides reading and information services, and training for blind, visually impaired, and physically disabled people who cannot effectively read print, see plays, watch television programs and films, or view museum exhibits.
Established in 1974, we’ve been providing quality services through out Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia for more than 50 years. Our all-volunteer Board of Directors is composed of visually impaired consumers, volunteers who participate in our program, and a cross-section of business and community leaders.
What We Do
Our quality services are free and second to none in the tri-state area. We strive to substitute hearing for seeing; improving the lives of people with limited or no vision by enabling them to be well-informed, fully productive members of their families, their communities, and the working world.
We’re proud of all we do and look forward to continuing to help meet the needs of our listeners throughout our broadcast area.
Our Founder
Dr. Margaret R. Pfanstiehl, who became almost entirely blind due to a degenerative disease called retinitis pigmentosa, founded the Metropolitan Washington Ear in 1974.
Margaret was on the cutting edge of the information access movement almost as long as the movement has existed. After earning her Ed.D. degree in 1971, she learned of a radio reading service for the visually impaired in St. Paul, Minnesota and decided that D.C. needed something similar.
Starting from scratch, she devoted herself to translating that idea into a reality. She garnered support and funding from governments around the Washington, D.C. region and negotiated with WETA, the local public radio station, for the use of its sub-channel. She raised over $100,000 in operating funds for the first year and recruited and trained volunteers. Her efforts resulted in the establishment of the Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc., a nonprofit organization and radio reading and information service focused on improving and enriching the lives of individuals who are blind, have low vision, or have physical disabilities by enabling them to be well-informed, fully productive members of their families, their communities and the working world. Please read much more at Dr. Margaret R. Pfanstiehl.
Staff & Board of Directors
Staff
Executive Director: Reverend Ray Raysor
Development Officer: Linda Thomas
Dial-in Program Manager: Stewart Brown
Dial-in Weekend Supervisors: Dave Warren, Veronica Peeler
Service & Public Policy Coordinator: Sylvia Rosenthal
Technical Manager: Dave Warren
Volunteer Manager: Dave Warren
Executive Committee
President: Reverend Raymond M. Raysor, Sr.
Vice President: Janice Dyson-Caesar
Secretary: Willetta Carter
Treasurer: Gerald P. Konohia
Board of Directors
Margaret F. Hart
James Patrick Timony
Janice Dyson-Caesar
Gerald P. Konohia
Willetta Bell
Reverend Ray Raysor
Freddie Peaco, President Emerita
See our In Memorial page.