This is purely a user preference, buying an audio book on Cd is suitable for those that do not have access to a computer or the internet. It would obviously suit those that would prefer there audio book ready to play with out the need to burn a copy to Cd themselves. Downloading affords a great deal of flexibility for the user allowing a multitude of various options in file formats to suit all kinds of playback scenarios.

Communication technology has the capacity to help improve and enrich many lives, and audio books for the blind are a prime example. From textbooks and newspapers to magazines and best-sellers, our society is extremely visual. Added to that is the overwhelming use of computers and the internet, which are primarily visual mediums. What is taken for granted by most of us – even simply flipping through a magazine – is a struggle for those who are blind or visually impaired.

In today’s society, we obtain a great deal of information and entertainment using computers and the internet. Because they are very image-based, blind and visually impaired people struggle much more to access comparable information. Nor is Braille that much more convenient. While it does allow people to enjoy written language, it can be expensive and out of reach for many blind people. Finally, though, a technological advance for blind and visually impaired people was developed. Audio books for blind people allow many more people to easily obtain information, hear stories, and stay current with the world’s news. Mass production of audio books for the blind meant that for the first time, visually impaired individuals could go online and download a book. While it may seem simple, this allowed the first opportunity to enjoy books in an expensive or even free way. In this case, technology has provided an enormous benefit for people around the world: blind people can now obtain an education that they would not have even five years ago.

The scope of audio books for the blind is unlimited, giving visually impaired people the ability to enjoy subjects like art, music, drama, history, economics, geography, literature, and more. This would have been unimaginable – or at least a dream – even a few years ago. Audio books for the blind have been a great boon for education. Core subjects of reading, mathematics, writing, and science are available in audio form, giving every student and every lover of knowledge access to education. Audio books for the blind also provide an opportunity for entertainment. Now, blind and visually impaired people can simply hear a story for pleasure, and the choices are diverse. Thousands of books – all different forms of fiction and nonfiction, contemporary or classic, popular, and more obscure – are available for the enjoyment of blind people. Audio books are a great example of how technology can benefit and enhance people’s lives, especially those with disabilities.