A voice on a tape gives someone else's meaning to the words in a book. A computer voice program delivers words with no excitement. Only physical reading allows us to grow in our ability to express ourselves and ultimately become independent members of society. And, as parents and educators, we cannot deny this to our children. Think of the Burger King or McDonalds sign.
Children recognize the words because of the associated visual images.
In early years there is no actual decoding or encoding of words. As the words become familiar, they are then generalized to other settings. When a student enters school most reading is not done in reading class, but it is integrated into every activity in which the student is involved throughout the day, and the teacher is there to reinforce those pre-reading, reading recognition, and reading skills. We cannot expect anything less for our blind students who need Braille or print. Reading of some kind transpires during each activity that occurs during the day.