In 1973, it was because cassette recorders were popular and books were being placed upon cassette tape and people could simply listen to them. A task that is virtually impossible. Today, of course, we hear about the wonders of computer technology. Computers, of course, have been a tremendous asset to educational programs, but again they will never take the place of Braille. Using standard CD-Roms we are able to download information and translate it to Braille.
Technology allows for the optical scanning of print books with voice output.
But these computer programs still will not allow a mother to sit down with her child and read a book. Fundamental to all is a basic definition of reading. Reading must be thought of as the ability to mentally and physically interact with the written word. Only when this occurs are individuals able to create their own meaning and develop concepts and mental pictures from their reading. A voice on a tape gives someone else's meaning to the words in a book.