NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Everybody deserves a chance to succeed. That's the motto of a digital radio operation that has found success in offering jobs to people with special needs.
NewHDMedia.com, a New Jersey-based digital radio platform, produces music shows, podcasts and even movie reviews with a professional staff and some of the work is done by people with special needs.
The venture is the brainchild of New York radio veteran Zach Martin, who wanted to create an inclusive radio platform.
"Everybody can participate," Martin said. "Everybody has got value. Everybody deserves to be loved, and everybody deserves an equal opportunity to succeed."
Martin's 21-year-old daughter, Sophie, jumped at the chance to host a rock show.
"My earliest memory of radio is when I'd go into Q104.3 with my father and we'd visit Scott Muni," she said.
Sophie, who feels right at home behind the microphone, said she believes hearing people with special needs thrive will inspire others.
"It tells people that you can do anything you set your mind to and never let anybody tell you, 'Oh, you can't do this' because life has other plans and you don't know where it will take you," Sophie said.
Bobby Vinton, from Eastchester, grew up listening to legendary DJ Casey Kasem.
"I'd play Lynyrd Skynyrd, Red Hot Chili Peppers, a whole mix of things ... Simon & Garfunkel," said the 45-year-old, who is blind.
He records his shows from a computer in the comfort of his own bedroom.
Vinton called Zach a "phenomenal guy" for "everything he does" for him.
Currently, NewHDMedia.com is run by volunteers and Zach wants to spread the venture to all 50 states and to eventually pay for his on-air talent.
"If we really try and we really think these things out and we love thy neighbor and we do things on a selfless basis and not worry about how much money we are going to make out of the deal, all of those different things," he said. "We really, truly, can make a better world for everybody."
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