If you think about it, books are a gold mine of information. There’s a wealth of knowledge in the world, and much of it is in books. I’ll bet you can think of a long list of things you wouldn’t know if it weren’t for books. But for people with blindness and very low vision, books are often not an option. Until the early 19^th Century when the braille system was invented, they were completely out of reach for those with blindness. After the invention of the braille system, people with blindness could read and write, which was a breakthrough. But creating and editing braille writing is time-consuming and not always accessible.

Then, almost fifty years ago, Ray Kurzweil invented a reading machine that would allow those with blindness to hear books and other stories. It was a breakthrough, since before then, those with blindness had to rely on books written in braille. Since comparatively few books were translated into braille, there was still a great deal that was unavailable to those with blindness. Today’s Kurzweil machines are about the same size as a PDA like a Blackberry and are capable of scanning all kinds of documents in several different formats. Today’s digital technology allows the Kurzweil and other similar devices to do much more than just scan and read back. Those with blindness and low vision can engage with novels, learn from textbooks, and manage things like legal documents, bills, and even personal letters. Assistive technology like the Kurzweil reader is also used in schools to allow access to the curriculum for those who have blindness or whose vision is compromised. Kurzweil licenses are not cheap, though, so not everyone has access to them.

That said, the Kurzweil isn’t the only technology that makes books and other printed material available for those with blindness. Books on Tape started at about the same time the Kurzweil was released (BoT has since been acquired by Random House). It began as a set of books on 8-track and cassette tapes that users could listen to, just as one would listen to music. Since that time, as technology has advanced, it’s moved to digital recordings. Books on Tape still provides recordings of many thousands of books, often at very reasonable prices.

Publishers have learned that it’s not just people with blindness and low vision who like to listen to books. Many people enjoy experiencing books this way. It’s easy to see why, too. You can take an audiobook with you as you drive, take a flight or train ride, work out, go on errands, or do the housework. Some people even prefer audio books, since they can really immerse the reader in a story. After all, our first stories were oral history stories that were shared by storytellers. And some stories are tailor-made for the audio format, just as some are tailor-made for the stage. The popularity of audio books means that many publishers offer readers that format for books they want.

Libraries have made audio books available, too. Some offer books on CD, and others offer downloadable audio files. The advantage of this is that more readers can enjoy a story without necessarily waiting until someone else is finished reading that brand new book.

Authors have learned, too, that it’s a good idea to make their books available in audio format. For a few very well-known best-selling authors, the publishing company arranges for the story to be recorded and made available in audio format. Other authors make their own arrangements, or work with a publisher to choose how their books will be recorded. There are even some authors who do their own narrating. For authors who are not best-selling authors, and who don’t have a large traditional publisher, there’s a cost involved in audio recording. But plenty of people feel that’s more than made up for by appealing to a wider audience.

Books don’t have to be experienced in only the traditional way – through reading. The world of audio books has made it possible for those with blindness and low vision to enjoy the best novels, the most informative non-fiction, and more. And modern digital technology allows those readers to access books and other information even if they live remotely. The world of books is becoming bigger and more inclusive as it becomes easier to make books available in a variety of formats. Speaking as both a writer and an avid reader, I think that’s a very good thing.

*NOTE: The title of this post is a line from the Beatles’ Girl.