Content Resources

Kurzweil 3000 offers access to many forms of electronic text, including: KES, DOC, TXT, RTF, HTML, and OPF. Additionally, Kurzweil 3000 can access text in unlocked PDF's in one of two ways:

1. Through use of the KESI Taskbar utility using copy/paste or drag/drop (all editions), and
2. Via the Virtual Print OCR (optical character recognition) process (Professional editions only).

In addition to those formats, you may desire material that is ready to use within Kurzweil 3000. There are a number of potential resources you should explore:

Kurzweil Classic Literature

A collection of nearly 5,000 titles from Aesop to Oscar Wilde including many important historical documents like each U.S. President's inaugural address. This is included with every license of Kurzweil 3000. This material ranges from grade three through adult.

Non-Fiction Bookbag

Beautifully written and expertly illustrated, these books for Grades 3—8 cover important milestones in history such as the integration of Little Rock High School, Japanese internment during World War II, and the accomplishments of migrant worker organizer Cesar Chavez. Also covered are compelling scientific topics such as the origins of hurricanes, volcanoes, and stars. Metro's Nonfiction Bookbag will increase students' reading comprehension, prepare them for high-stakes tests, and make it easier for them to embrace reading. All files are available in the KES format. Visit the Cambium Learning Store to learn more.

LANGUAGE!

The 3rd and 4th Editions of this award winning instructional reading program from our sister company, Sopris West, include all student reading material (Independent, Instructional, and Challenge) in the KES format. Ownership of the LANGUAGE! Program is required to obtain the formatted files. Visit the Cambium Learning Store to learn about LANGUAGE! Or contact your Sopris West sales representative.

Passport Reading Journeys

From our sister company, Voyager Learning, this program is designed to provide the struggling adolescent reader the explicit instruction they need to succeed. Student reading materials are available in the KES format and available to owners of this program, which is part of the U.S. Striving Reader Grant Program in Louisiana and Virginia. More information is available through your Voyager Sales representative or the Cambium Learning Store.

NIMAS

National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials
Kurzweil 3000 reads NIMAS files. On this site, you can find out learn more about alternate-format materials to support access and enable participation in the general curriculum by students with print disabilities.

Reading A-Z

Over 700+ leveled readers from Reading A-Z are now available in the .kes format and available for download. Visit Reading A-Z.

Bookshare

A free resource available to all qualifying U.S. students that includes approximately 100,000 titles both are in and out of copyright protection. Other individuals may join for $75 the first year and $50/year thereafter. Bookshare materials can be searched and downloaded directly from within Kurzweil 3000 for Windows once membership is established. Visit Bookshare.org to learn more about membership in this very valuable resource.

Project Gutenberg

Another free resource containing approximately 35,000 titles. This organization specializes primarily in materials whose copyright has expired. You can gather more information by visiting the Project Gutenberg website.


As always, it is good to check your local resources for potential use of accessible file formats. Locally, you might consider your school or district special education department, public libraries, colleges, universities, and other locations where instruction may be provided to those with dyslexia or other reading difficulties. Finally, many longtime Kurzweil 3000 users have found success working with local, regional, and state organizations tasked with assisting those with literacy problems, such as the Family Network on Disabilities.