Kurzweil 3000 software

It *might* be overkill. What, exactly, do you need? How would you use it?
Joy Zabala has some really good stuff on her site for helping figure out just what technology will be most useful in what situation. More importantly, it helps with planning so that more people are involved. Too often the special ed people get some technology and then sort of hope it helps with this class or that class, and a teacher hopes that the technology will mean she doesn’t have to do a lot of modifications for the special ed students, and there’s a lot of confusion.
It’s also worth looking at things like TextHelp! and WRiteOutLoud and Co:Writer… again, depending on what you’re looking for. And….training (which the vendors are sometimes good at) for students and staff make the difference between an investment and a cash drain.

I assisted a blind law student who had the Kurzweil 3000. Although he could use it, he would *much* rather have been able to read in Braille. Yes it works, surprisingly well (it sounds out phonetically), and if there is no other solution it is better to have a voice program than nothing. But being able to read for yourself is much better. No voice program can allow you to skim, and no voice program can allow you to go back and re-read segments exactly where you want to.

I was able to get Kurzweil in my former middle school, but I doubt that they are putting it to use. Personally, I will have the read software soon, waiting for later to purchase the scanning portion. Poor readers have such difficulty accessing written information and therefore getting the education (information) they so need to stay interested in school. Kurzweil allows them to have the computer read to them and so much more (highlighting so they can follow along, taking notes, printing out an outline). Still it takes a committment to learn to use the program(that’s why my old school is letting it gather dust). But, then the internet, e-books, email all become accessable. My son is in high school and I will get Kurzweil soon for all these uses. We have waited because our computer was too old and too slow to really use the program effectively. We have also tried to take one step at a time and with our new computer he is getting used to Dragon dictation to produce his homework assignments. Next will be Kurzweil, then a laptop - all as the budget allows. Many colleges have Kurzweil and it would be nice if high schools and middle schools had it so that kids could begin to function independently. So, if there is a need to have information read aloud then Kurzweil is a wonderful product.

f

Basically the same, different manufacturerers and some differen features. I was looking into e-books at bookshare and I emailed for info. I guess my son needs a screen reader like Kurzweil to have the books read to him on the screen. Bookshare has both older public domain and for the disabled they have copywrited current books.

Kurzweil himself is a “futurist” with some very creative ideas about artificial intelligence: http://www.kurzweilai.net

A friend just got Wynn for her dyslexic son, compliments of the SB. Just wondered if you knew if one was better than the other.

I do think they have some different features. On thing to consider is that all important training and support. I have a Kurzweil rep in my area and my current district uses Kurzweil, so I think I could get help if I run into problems. Then also look at cost, because I am going to have to start with just the read software. Do your local districts or colleges use either Kurzweil or Wynn? I have also seen demos at ld conferences.