| Technology is so widely available that we hardly ever | | | | the entertainment and enjoyment of the blind has led |
| stop to consider how our lives would be different | | | | to the availability of textbook audio books, class |
| without it. When a new product comes on the | | | | notes on tape, and countless books of every genre. |
| market we, as consumers, are so jaded that we | | | | Audio books are easy to use, do not require |
| even view breakthroughs with an "hmmm". | | | | expensive equipment, and are inexpensive. |
| If a life changing invention was to show up on | | | | You will also find audio books for free, especially on |
| shelves tomorrow, how long before it would become | | | | the internet where you can download the recorded |
| boring or passé? | | | | book for no cost. Publishers are adding different |
| In 1952 a life changing product did come on the | | | | elements to the audio books to make them |
| market and a whole community stood up and took | | | | interesting such as music, sound effects, and even |
| notice. A small publishing company in England published | | | | multiple readers to give the story depth. |
| the first audio book. A quaint little Christmas story, | | | | The benefits of audio books are too numerous to list. |
| read by Dylan Thomas, opened the pages of books | | | | The blind are no longer required to have a reading |
| for the blind. | | | | partner. They do not have to lug around heavy Braille |
| The first audio books were recorded on albums. | | | | books. They have faster access to new books as |
| Cassette audio books did not arrive on the scene | | | | the audio books are released in conjunction with |
| until the 1950's. They are now widely available in | | | | physical books. Most importantly they now have the |
| several formats including CDs and MP3s. With the | | | | option to enjoy books wherever and whenever they |
| widespread use and accessibility of technology, and | | | | desire. |
| the availability of thousands of titles, audio books | | | | Thinking of the sweeping changes audio books made |
| have become a growing niche market. | | | | in the lives of the blind gives one a renewed |
| Audio books were first created for the blind. | | | | appreciation of technology. Yes, technology makes |
| The recordings were able to open up a whole new | | | | our life easier. And there is a lot of technology |
| world for people with disabilities. As the desire for | | | | available. But we must forget that technology has |
| more books increased, many kinds of recordings | | | | the power to revolutionize lives. |
| began to be published. What started as a book for | | | | |