WRBH began as the dream of a local mathematician, Dr. Robert McClean. He was blind, but he had a vision: a FM reading radio station, with strong programming content that would improve the lives of blind and visually impaired persons for productive, fulfilling lives. In 1975, McClean began leasing airtime from WWNO and renting studio space from New Orleans’ Lighthouse for the Blind. By 1982, his efforts expanded after purchasing the 88.3 FM wavelength, officially making WRBH the United States’ first 24-hour FM reading radio station for the blind. Today, WRBH remains the USA's only full-time FM reading radio service and is one of only three such stations in the world.